Sprained Thumbs: Do You Need Treatment for a Sprained Thumb? Getting Treatment in DFW.

One moment, you're playing your favorite sport or going for a run, and the next, you're nursing a thumb injury. While some thumb sprains are minor and respond to treatment at home, others are more serious and require surgery to reach a full recovery.

At Legacy ER & Urgent Care, we evaluate and treat sprains daily in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. A thumb sprain can be particularly tricky to evaluate on your own, so if you’re unsure of how serious the injury is, stop by your nearest Legacy ER & Urgent Care location and we can help.

Sprained Thumb Grades – How Severe is the Injury?

The severity of a sprain is based on the degree of ligament damage. If you have a mild sprain without severe damage, you can heal by engaging in sprained thumb self-care. On the other hand, you can end up with chronic complications if you don't treat moderate or severe sprains.

However, you may not need stitches if the cut is a puncture wound or is very shallow and has smooth edges. It’s always best to seek out medical attention if you are unsure.

Grade 1 Thumb Sprain (Mild)

With a mild (grade 1) sprained thumb, the ligament is overstretched but remains intact. Symptoms include bruising, tenderness, and swelling at the site of the injury and throughout the thumb. You also might experience discomfort, although some people don't notice any pain with a mild thumb sprain. Most people recover within two weeks with sprained thumb self-care.

Grade 2 Thumb Sprain (Moderate)

You have a moderate (grade 2) thumb sprain if you overstretch and partially tear the ligament. Moderate and mild sprains share many of the same symptoms, such as bruising, swelling, tenderness, and pain. However, the symptoms are more significant with a moderate sprain and might include limited range of motion and loss of some function while the injury heals. Medical treatment is typically non-surgical and typically result in healing in 4 to 6 weeks, although it can take 12 weeks.

Grade 3 Thumb Sprain (Severe)

If your thumb ligament is torn or ruptured, you have a grade 3 sprain. Severe sprains can cause significant swelling, tenderness, bruising, and pain. The thumb joint may feel unstable or loose, and you'll have trouble using your thumb to grasp things or complete tasks. If you rupture the ulnar collateral ligament, it can cause a bump to appear on your thumb as well. It typically takes a few months to recover fully, and you might need surgery to repair the ruptured ligament.

Failing to treat thumb sprains appropriately can cause significant complications, such as chronic instability, weakness, and arthritis. These complications can cause long-term pain and mobility issues.

Diagnosing a Thumb Sprain

When we diagnose your thumb sprain, we’ll examine your thumb and discuss the cause of the injury and the symptoms you're experiencing. We’ll often order tests such as an X-ray to rule out a bone fracture and an MRI or musculoskeletal ultrasound to see the extent of the ligament damage.

Once we receive the results, our physician will recommend a non-surgical or surgical treatment plan.

Sprained Thumb Self-Care vs. Professional Treatment

If you have a mild thumb sprain, you can try to treat it at home by following the PRICE protocol:

• Protection
• rest
• ice
• compression
• elevation

Even mild sprains can sometimes need additional helpGo to urgent care if your symptoms worsen or if they remain the same after 48 hours.

Visit a medical facility if you have signs or symptoms of a moderate to severe thumb sprain, such as:

• Bump on the thumb
• Loose, unstable, or weak thumb
• Loss of function
• Significant pain, bruising, and swelling

DFW-Area Sprained Thumb Treatment

At Legacy ER & Urgent Care, we have locations throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area to meet your medical care needs by providing affordable pricing and quality care. You don’t have to decide if your injury is best suited by an urgent care or an ER because we assess for you and provide the appropriate level of care. You benefit not only from peace of mind that you will receive the right quality of care, but will only bill you for the level of care that you need. Stop by a nearby North Texas location for all of your medical needs.