A thumb fracture or broken thumb is a break in 1 of the 2 bones that make up the thumb. It can be caused by injuring your thumb – for example by bending or twisting it too far, or hitting it on something hard and heavy.
A thumb fracture or broken thumb is a break in 1 of the 2 bones that make up the thumb. It can be caused by injuring your thumb – for example by bending or twisting it too far, or hitting it on something hard and heavy.
It’s not always easy to tell if an injured thumb is broken or sprained, that’s why it’s important to see a doctor or go to the emergency room if there’s a chance that you’ve broken your thumb.
The exact symptoms you may notice if you have a broken thumb can depend on the part of your thumb that’s affected, the direction of the break and if it’s an open (the broken bone sticks out of your skin) or closed fracture (the broken bone doesn’t stick out of your skin).
But, common symptoms of a broken thumb include:
A doctor may suspect a broken thumb based on your symptoms and how you injured your thumb, but you will usually need an
to confirm the diagnosis.If you think you’ve broken your thumb, you can do a few things to help your symptoms while waiting to see a doctor. These include:
Medical treatment may include:
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.