Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatment for Mild PainDiagnosisChronic Pain or InjurySelf-Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatment for Mild Pain
Diagnosis
Chronic Pain or Injury
Self-Care
Thumb pain can occur from damage to various structures in your hand, includingligaments,tendons, bones, and nerves. Common conditions that cause thumb pain include arthritis, tendonitis, trigger thumb, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ligament injuries. Thumb pain can come on suddenly or develop over time from overuse of the thumb joints and muscles.
This article discusses thumb pain, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.
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Thumb Pain Causes
Thumb pain can significantly interfere with daily tasks, such as:
Thumb pain can result from various conditions, such as arthritis,de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, trigger finger, skier’s thumb, or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Thumb Arthritis
The base of the thumb—called thecarpometacarpaljoint, or CMC—is a common site for arthritis.
Osteoarthritis(OA) can develop in the thumb. This condition gradually occurs from joint wear and tear. The cartilage that provides padding between bones in the joint slowly wears down, eventually causing the bones to rub against each other.
Osteoarthritis can affect one or both thumbs. It is often more severe in your dominant hand.
In addition to pain, OA in the thumb can cause:
Thumb pain can also occur withrheumatoid arthritis(RA)—an inflammatory arthritis that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the inner joint tissue known as synovium. Rheumatoid arthritis usually causes pain in both thumbs at the same time.
Modern Technology and Thumb PainThe use of electronic devices and other technology can contribute to thumb pain. Typing, texting, and playing video games can lead to overuse injuries.
Modern Technology and Thumb Pain
The use of electronic devices and other technology can contribute to thumb pain. Typing, texting, and playing video games can lead to overuse injuries.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis occurs from overuse of the thumb and wrist. The primary symptom is pain along the thumb side of the wrist. You might also have swelling. This condition can make it difficult to move your thumb and cause a snapping sensation when you grip or twist your wrist.
Trigger Thumb
Trigger thumb (stenosing flexor tenosynovitis)—whentrigger fingeraffects the thumb—is a common cause of thumb pain. It affects the flexor tendon that bends the thumb and can also affect any of the other fingers.
Each flexor tendon travels through a tunnel called atendon sheath. Structures called pulleys keep the tendon sheath in place along the finger bones.
Trigger finger develops when the pulleys become inflamed. This makes it difficult for the tendon to slide through the sheath as you bend and straighten your thumb, causing a “catching” or “popping” sensation. In severe cases, you might have to use your opposite hand to straighten your finger out after you bend it.
Trigger thumb can also cause a nodule, or “bump,” on the tendon, which you can feel at the base of the thumb.
Skier’s Thumb
Skier’s thumbis damage to theulnar collateral ligament(UCL) of the thumb.It is typically injured from a fall on an outstretched hand when the thumb bends too far backward—an injury commonly occurring while skiing.
Skier’s thumb causes pain on the inside border of the base of the thumb.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndromeis a condition that develops from compression of the median nerve in the wrist. In addition to the median nerve, the carpal tunnel contains nine tendons connected to muscles that move the fingers and thumb.
This condition typically develops from overuse of the finger muscles, causing inflammation in the tunnel, which puts pressure on the median nerve.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in the thumb. Symptoms also commonly affect the index finger, middle finger, and the ring finger’s inner border.
Treatment for Mild Thumb Pain
Mild thumb pain can often be resolved with conservative interventions.
These can include:
Benefits of working with a certified hand therapist can include:
Diagnosing Thumb Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
A healthcare provider will first assess your thumb pain with a physical exam. However, a provider may order imaging—X-rays,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), andcomputed tomography(CT scan)—to determine which structures are causing the pain.
Some thumb pain conditions can be diagnosed with special orthopedic tests. For example, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis—pain that occurs when the thumb is tucked under the fingers, and the wrist is tilted away from the thumb—can be diagnosed with the Finkelstein test (bending your thumb across the palm and bending your fingers down over the thumb).
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider for Your Thumb PainSee a healthcare provider if home remedies do not improve your thumb pain. If your thumb pain results from a fall or other trauma, seek medical attention to rule out serious injury.If you have an open wound, watch for signs of infection and contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms such as warmth, yellow drainage/pus, or redness.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider for Your Thumb Pain
See a healthcare provider if home remedies do not improve your thumb pain. If your thumb pain results from a fall or other trauma, seek medical attention to rule out serious injury.If you have an open wound, watch for signs of infection and contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms such as warmth, yellow drainage/pus, or redness.
See a healthcare provider if home remedies do not improve your thumb pain. If your thumb pain results from a fall or other trauma, seek medical attention to rule out serious injury.
If you have an open wound, watch for signs of infection and contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms such as warmth, yellow drainage/pus, or redness.
Treatment for Chronic Thumb Pain or Serious Injury
Thumb pain that doesn’t improve with conservative treatment or occurs from a serious injury might require surgery. Severe thumb OA is treated with CMC arthroplasty. During this procedure, a small bone at the base of the thumb—called the trapezium—is removed.
Trigger thumb, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome can all be treated with surgery to release the structures and apply pressure to the involved tendons or nerves.
A significant or complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament with a skier’s thumb injury is also fixed with surgery.
Self-Care to Ease Thumb Pain
Altering how you perform your daily activities can reduce your thumb pain risk. Simple modifications can decrease pressure through your thumbs, such as:
Thumb Exercises
Gentle exercises in a pain-free range of motion can help you maintain thumb mobility.Perform each of the following movements 10 times:
Summary
Thumb pain can interfere with daily activities that require repetitive movements, gripping, and pinching. Thumb pain can occur with acute injuries, such as a ligament tear, or chronic conditions, such as tendonitis, arthritis, and nerve compression. Conservative treatment for thumb pain includes home remedies and medications.
Severe thumb pain or trauma might require surgery. Consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your thumb pain and treatment options.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.5 causes of thumb pain. February 1, 2021.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Thumb arthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the thumb. December 2022.Baabdullah A, Bokhary D, Kabli Y, Saggaf O, Daiwali M, Hamdi A.The association between smartphone addiction and thumb/wrist pain: a cross-sectional study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(10):e19124. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019124.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome. March 2022.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Trigger finger. October 2022.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment for hands.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand therapy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. February 2022.St George’s University Hospitals.Joint protection techniques for hand and finger arthritis. June 2020.Kaiser Permanente.Thumb arthritis: exercises. July 17, 2023.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.5 causes of thumb pain. February 1, 2021.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Thumb arthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the thumb. December 2022.Baabdullah A, Bokhary D, Kabli Y, Saggaf O, Daiwali M, Hamdi A.The association between smartphone addiction and thumb/wrist pain: a cross-sectional study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(10):e19124. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019124.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome. March 2022.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Trigger finger. October 2022.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment for hands.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand therapy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. February 2022.St George’s University Hospitals.Joint protection techniques for hand and finger arthritis. June 2020.Kaiser Permanente.Thumb arthritis: exercises. July 17, 2023.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.5 causes of thumb pain. February 1, 2021.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Thumb arthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the thumb. December 2022.Baabdullah A, Bokhary D, Kabli Y, Saggaf O, Daiwali M, Hamdi A.The association between smartphone addiction and thumb/wrist pain: a cross-sectional study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(10):e19124. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019124.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome. March 2022.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Trigger finger. October 2022.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment for hands.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand therapy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. February 2022.St George’s University Hospitals.Joint protection techniques for hand and finger arthritis. June 2020.Kaiser Permanente.Thumb arthritis: exercises. July 17, 2023.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.5 causes of thumb pain. February 1, 2021.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Thumb arthritis.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the thumb. December 2022.
Baabdullah A, Bokhary D, Kabli Y, Saggaf O, Daiwali M, Hamdi A.The association between smartphone addiction and thumb/wrist pain: a cross-sectional study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(10):e19124. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019124.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome. March 2022.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Trigger finger. October 2022.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment for hands.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand therapy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. February 2022.
St George’s University Hospitals.Joint protection techniques for hand and finger arthritis. June 2020.
Kaiser Permanente.Thumb arthritis: exercises. July 17, 2023.
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