The Mirror's Health , Lifestyle and Fashion
Ways of managing thumb sprain
It’s expedient to allow your thumb muscles to relax and heal properly. Hence, you need to adequately rest your thumb for a while by consciously not involving the affected thumb in your daily activities.
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Apply Ice
Swelling and pain in the thumb may be decreased by the application of ice (wrapped in a small towel) frequently for 15 – 20 minutes daily.
The frequency assists in reducing pain and swelling and should be adhered to.
Wear a splint
When it is observed that the joint is unstable, a custom-made thumb and wrist splint is used to stabilise the thumb for a number of weeks.
Wearing this splint is beneficial in a couple of ways. The thumb splint provides the much needed support and stability for the unstable thumb joint.
It also reduces the movements that you would usually make with your thumb if there was no restriction and hence prevents you from reinjuring your thumb.
Elevate the thumb
The swelling in the thumb or affected hand may also be reduced by making sure your hand is in an elevated position. This will also assist in reducing the pain eventually.
As the pain and swelling reduces, gentle movement of the thumb is initiated to restore thumb function. Gradually, as movement is restored, strengthening and dexterity exercises are also performed.
Thumb motion
Place your hand on a table, with your palm facing downwards. Keep all your fingers together then gently move your thumb away from your other fingers and maintain the position for 10 seconds and take it back to touch the other fingers.
You may also turn your hand, so that your palm faces upwards. Gently move your thumb across your palm, from your forefinger to your little finger and hold the position for 10 seconds.
Gently move thumb back to touch your forefinger. You may perform this exercise as often as you can throughout the day.
Wrist motion
You need to prevent stiffness in your wrist, hence you have to perform a few exercises involving the wrist joint. Place your affected hand on a table, with only your little finger touching the table. Gently bend your hand forwards towards your body and maintain the position for 10 seconds and take your hand back to the neutral position.
Next, gently bend your hand backwards and hold the position for 10 seconds and take your hand back to the neutral position. Repeat this as often as you can throughout the day. \You may also move your hand from one side to another but ensure that your palm is on the table when moving the hand from side to side.
Thumb strengthening
This functional activity or exercise will enable you to enhance your daily tasks because the thumb is usually involved in almost all daily activities.
Obtain a variety of small objects – round or rectangular objects, coins, marbles etc - and place them on a table.
Use your affected thumb together with your forefinger to pick up the first object and your thumb and middle finger to pick up the next object and so on.
Do this until you pick all the objects with your thumb together with one other finger. Ensure that when you pick an object you hold it for five seconds before you place it on the table. Repeat this activity often throughout the day.
Grip exercises
This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles of the hand and also enhances flexibility. Obtain a small rubber ball; it should be small enough to fit into your hand.
Pick the ball and ensure that all your fingers are holding the ball. Gently squeeze the ball as firmly as you can for 5-10
The writer is a senior physiotherapist at the 37 Military Hospital.