Movement after broken thumb?

[krysalyss]

I broke my thumb 5 weeks ago and was told I could take off the splint between 4 and 6 weeks. I took it off last night but having never had a broken bone before have no idea what to expect re: recovery. I can only bend it a tiny bit even using my other hand to try and bend it. I don't want to cause any more injury but my dr didn't really go through any of this with me.
Can anyone help?

[Junglemum]

Having your thumb restricted for so long it is very normal for it to feel frozen up like that. Initially it is VERY painful to move, but you will find over time, the pain will ease, and you will get more movement back. You probably wont notice it as much in a thumb but you will have lost a little muscle tone which too will return with time.
You might find your wrist is a bit stiff too. Just from being in the splint...

[luna moth]

No advice, but I think maybe you should change your username to "stacks" or "buster" or something

[krysalyss]

LOL Snugg! Maybe bruiser. Here's hoping I have had my fill for the year.

[Mother Goose]

my question is why can't you move it? Is it that it causes too much pain or you physically can't move it? And is the movement/pain worse or better than before?

Without knowing the answer to those questions or how badly you broke it, I'd be suggesting you pop the splint back on and slowly decrease the amount you use it over the next week with the aim to not need it at all by the end of week 6. I'd also anticipate you may need the splint towards the end of the day after using the thumb all day. I would also suggest you start trying to move it in water to help rebuild your muscle tone in it. Sounds silly but works. If it causes ongoing issues, a trip to the physio may be in order.

HTH

MG

[krysalyss]

Thanks MG. I physically can't move it. I am using the splint on and off. I do have a hospital appointment but it is a few weeks away. The break was only a split in the bone. It was small and the bone was still together. It didn't go all the way through the bone or come out of position really.

[Mother Goose]

Sometimes fractures in the hand can take a little longer to heal. I'd keep up with the splint like I said in my last post and not push it too much. It does sound like it has seized and you may need to push yourself with movement in comming days. But if it is really sore, don't be afraid to have some analgesia 30 min before taking the splint off and doing your "exercises". Hang out for your appointment but I think a trip to a physio is going to be in order for your thumb I'm afraid. They will give you some exercises to do to help strengthen it. You poor chooky!