I was looking around in the shed and knocked the shelves the wrong way or something, a hammer fell on my thumb...
I'm unsure if anything's broken, but the thumbnail is bruised and perhaps cracked. I iced it and the bleeding stopped (it was bleeding only moderately if that), movement is fine but painful. In case it means anything, I feel the blood pumping in my thumb.
Should I be concerned? I think it's ok, when I was little, my big brother threw a very large rock (more than 10 pounds) right on top of my third finger (he didn't mean to...I think), and though it indeed fractured it it healed in less than a week and a half. This isn't as severe as that. Still, I would appreciate any advice.
2006-06-21 06:02:10 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
If it fell on the top of your thumb where the nail bed is, then you're probably ok. Below the joint, more chance of it being fractured. the fact that it's throbbing is good. Swollen, is a good sign too. If it's not swollen much at all and the pain get worse as you use it...could well be fractured.
Just go easy on it the next couple of days. Ice... good. Take a couple of Advil or Tylenol for the pain. It's tough to compare childhood injuries because we all heal so much fasted as children and our bone density is usually so different. Again, you'll have to go on gut feeling and see how it feels over the next 2-3 days. If it's worse by the weekend, have it checked. You don't want a bone in your thumb healing wrong. Lifetime of arthritis in the most used finger...NOT good!
Good luck and let me know how you go!
Cheers,
Midori
2006-06-21 06:12:04 · answer #1 · answered by midori_margarita 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OUCH! Fingers are funny, you can break them and still be able to move them. However if you go to the doctor or hospital etc. there's nothing they can do but tape your broken digit to the next one and since it's your thumb that doesn't work very well. Clean the wound with peroxide, rotate heat and ice, and pick up a splint at any local drug store. Give it a couple of days to mend itself, if it doesn't start feeling better in 2 or 3 days show it to your doctor.
2006-06-21 08:24:57 · answer #2 · answered by Karen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember RICE
R.est
I.ce
C.ompression
E.levation
Bones are pretty resistant to blunt trama but it could still be broken. Mobility is not a good indicator of a break. Good indicators of a broken bone are deformity and point tenderness directly on the bone (but that is also indicitive of heavy bruising and other tissue damage). On small bones the only real way to be sure is to get an X-Ray.
2006-06-21 06:13:47 · answer #3 · answered by Paul G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as your tetanus shot is up to date (every 10 years) you should be okay. From what you wrote, the worst that could happen is a doctor might want to drain the blood. I had a similar injury and it took no more than a month to heal. Keep icing it for now.
2006-06-21 06:10:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous User 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Midori is correct...also would like to add...keep it elevated. This will help reduce some of the swelling. However, you still may want to get an XRAY. Each person bones are alittle different ( soft..etc)...it sounds fine since you are able to move it...
2006-06-21 06:40:41 · answer #5 · answered by Pammie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll be alright but try not to move it too much and be careful not to bang it up against something else or you'll end up doing a little dance. Take care and good luck.
2006-06-21 06:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by synchronicity915 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it's fine.Usually if it's fractured it's hard to move.
2006-06-21 06:07:45 · answer #7 · answered by hippiegirl672003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give it time and it will heal, i just hurt my ankle on saturday night and it is already almost better.
2006-06-21 06:05:46 · answer #8 · answered by penguinlunatic17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't have any advice but i hope you feel better
:)
2006-06-21 08:22:59 · answer #9 · answered by That Person. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋