How do you know if I tore a ligament in my thumb?
Symptoms of Thumb Ligament Injury Pain and severe swelling on the inner part of the thumb immediately after the injury. Pain and severe swelling on the base of the thumb immediately, or shortly after the injury. Weakness and instability during grasp or writing. Loss of motion when attempting to move the thumb circular.
How painful is a torn ligament in thumb?
The thumb may be tender and painful to move, or it may feel unusually loose. Grade 3 sprains: These entail a complete tear of a ligament. The sprain may be very painful, and it may be difficult to move the thumb.
Will an xray show a torn ligament?
Traditional X-rays don’t view ligament damage and even more advanced scans like CTs and MRIs cannot visualize something as complex as ligament damage because they don’t capture the ligament in motion but you don’t have to suffer with ligament pain.
How long is recovery for thumb ligament surgery?
With traditional surgery, the ligament is sutured, and the thumb is immobilized in a cast for four to six weeks. “Athletes particularly dislike being in casts, and on top of that they can’t return to play for sometimes up to 10-12 weeks,” Shin notes.
How do you check for torn ligaments?
Perform a physical exam of the injured area, asking you to squat, hop, step, flex, or bend, testing your ability to move or bear weight on a joint. Order imaging tests, such as an MRI, ultrasound or x-ray to confirm the diagnosis of a torn ligament or fracture.
When is thumb surgery necessary?
If you don’t respond to other treatments or if you’re barely able to bend and twist your thumb, your doctor might recommend surgery. Options include: Joint fusion (arthrodesis). The bones in the affected joint are permanently fused.
How long is recovery for torn ligament in thumb?
What is thumb ligament surgery called?
LRTI (ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition) is a surgical procedure that is most commonly conducted to treat thumb CMC (carpometacarpal) arthritis where the damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with a cushion of tissue that keeps the bones separated.