Left thumb joint pain: Causes and treatment

Pain in the left thumb joint needs to be identified early in order to have the appropriate treatment. This not only helps to overcome the symptom but also eliminates the root cause of the pain.

Patients with pain in the left thumb joint will have uncomfortable pain, the operation of the fingers is also limited, making it difficult to perform simple tasks in daily life and work. . What is the cause of left thumb joint pain and how to fix it? Let's find out through this article.

Causes of left thumb joint pain

The thumb is made up of 3 main joints with a system of cartilage, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and synovial fluid to protect and support. 

Thumb joint pain can be caused by repetitive movements, trauma...

We often have the habit of using the thumb for many roles, so pain in the thumb joint, including left finger joint pain also becomes common. On the other hand, in daily life, we use our hands very often, so when the thumb joint is injured and painful, it will often be slow to recover, and may even become worse over time. .

Pain in the left thumb joint that can range from mild to severe, and in some cases even being unable to move the thumb, can signal an underlying health problem, ranging from systemic illnesses, such as arthritis, to sprains. tendons and other injuries.

The causes of pain in the thumb joint in general, the left thumb joint are many. Based on the symptoms, we can tell what condition we have.

Sprains

A thumb sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the thumb are stretched beyond their limits or torn. This usually happens when you fall with your hand outstretched, at which point a strong external force bends the thumb back or away from the palm. Most thumb sprains involve the accessory ligament located on the inside of the finger joint. When this ligament is torn, it can be painful and make your thumb feel unstable. It can also impair your ability to grasp objects between your thumb and index finger.

De Quervain tendonitis

When suffering from De Quervain syndrome for a long time, it will lead to swelling, pain, and discomfort in the fingers. Painful index finger joints due to De Quervain syndrome seriously affect the health and quality of life of patients. Women are more susceptible to this disease than men.

Signs that a person is suffering from this syndrome:

  • Pain along the back of the thumb, directly over the two tendons;
  • Swelling and pain at the base of the thumb;
  • Swelling and pain on one side of your wrist.

These symptoms may come on gradually or come on suddenly. Patients need early treatment to prevent the pain from spreading around. 

Left thumb joint pain: Causes and treatment We often use our thumbs for many roles so they are very vulnerable.

Thumb arthritis

Irritation in a joint or joint destruction leads to arthritis . Although arthritis comes in many different forms, the type that most commonly affects the thumb joint is osteoarthritis (or osteoarthritis). Osteoarthritis of the thumb occurs when the cartilage begins to wear down and it usually occurs in the thumb joint. 

Arthritis of the thumb is more common in women than in men and usually occurs after the age of 40. Having a previous fracture or other trauma to the joint can increase your chances of developing this condition.

When suffering from arthritis pain in the left thumb joint, the patient usually:

  • Sharp or burning pain when grasping or pinching;
  • Swelling, stiffness, limited range of motion in the thumb;
  • Lack of strength in grasping and pinching activities;
  • Rickets or thickening around the base of the thumb.

As a degenerative, progressive disease, arthritis will often worsen over time.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common among office workers who often work with computers. When suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, patients are very susceptible to pain in the index finger because the nerves in the hand are very easily damaged, even hindering the activities of the hand.

Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are caused by a combination of factors. Research shows that women and older adults are more likely to experience this condition.

Trigger finger

Trigger finger, or finger flexor tendonitis, is a condition where one of your fingers gets stuck in the flexed position. When you perform a finger extension, there will be a feeling of locking, joint pain, or entanglement.

Thumb fracture

A broken thumb is a serious problem. It affects your ability to grip things and may increase your risk of developing arthritis as you age. Most thumb fractures occur in the bone just above the CMC joint. Depending on the type of fracture and location, the thumb can become unstable, moving loosely from side to side.

Thumb fractures are often caused by direct external forces, such as falls; or occurs indirectly as a result of muscle twisting or contraction, as in wrestling, hockey, or soccer.

When you break your thumb, you'll see:

  • Swelling around the base of the thumb;
  • Severe joint pain;
  • Limited/inability to move the thumb;
  • Deformed thumb;
  • The thumb feels cold/numb.

Left thumb joint pain: Causes and treatment Left thumb joint pain from mild to severe.

Synovial capsule

Synovial cysts are round, fluid-filled structures that often appear on the back of the hand or on the fingers. Synovial cysts may also appear at the knuckle closest to the tip of the finger.

Only about 10% of synovial cysts form in joints other than the wrist joint. People with bursitis often have pain and sensitivity to the touch. Note that synovial cysts only cause pain in the joints of the fingers they appear. The good news is that synovial cysts can go away on their own without treatment. Patients with synovial cysts after being examined may have a doctor use a needle to release fluid from the synovial cyst. In addition, surgery is also an option to remove synovial cysts if they recur or do not respond to other treatments.

Self-care for joint pain

If you're experiencing pain from a soft-tissue injury or overuse of your thumb joint, there are a number of home remedies you can try.

Measures to take

  • Rest your thumb, avoid or stop activities that cause pain, e.g. typing, using vibrating tools for work, playing musical instruments, etc.
  • Apply ice to your finger if it is swollen. After 2-3 days, when the swelling has subsided, proceed with hot compresses.
  • Wear a splint or brace that immobilizes the thumb to help support and relieve pain, especially at night. You can buy these braces at most drugstores, supermarkets, or online stores.
  • Avoid wearing jewelry or gloves that constrict the thumb.
  • Consider using gadgets or tools to do some things, like open jars or cut vegetables
  • Take some over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen.
  • Use a pain reliever pad for your thumb, like salonpas.

Things not to do

  • Do not use ibuprofen for the first 48 hours after an injury.
  • Do not use hot packs or take a hot bath for the first 2 to 3 days after the injury.
  • Do not lift heavy objects or grasp objects too tightly.

Pain in the left thumb joint needs to be identified as soon as possible for treatment.

When should I go to the doctor?

You should see a doctor if, after treatment at home, you:

  • Pain that does not improve after 2 weeks of home treatment;
  • Pain that is severe or prevents you from doing normal activities;
  • The pain gets worse or continues to recur;
  • You feel tingling or loss of sensation in your hands;
  • You have diabetes.

You should seek medical help as soon as possible, if:

  • Inability to move the thumb;
  • Swelling or heat in/around the thumb;
  • The thumb looks crooked or feels unsteady;
  • Severe pain in the thumb joint;
  • Feeling dizzy, sick or even fainting because of the pain;
  • A snapping, grinding, or popping sound is heard at the time of injury.

Treatment

Treatment for thumb joint pain depends on the cause. But in general, some common treatments are:

  • Physical therapy;
  • Medicine;
  • Injection;
  • Surgery.

Thumb joint pain can be caused by repetitive movements, trauma, or local or systemic inflammatory diseases. Thumb joint pain by itself does not pose a significant health hazard. However, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. That's why it's important to seek medical attention right away if the pain is persistent, severe, or significantly affects your ability to perform daily activities.


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Pain in the left thumb joint needs to be identified early in order to have the appropriate treatment. This not only helps to overcome the symptom but also eliminates the root cause of the pain.

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