Dislocated Thumb Tip

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Question

Dear TAI Experts:

I dislocated the tip of my left thumb during an accident two and a half weeks ago. It was set back in place at the emergency room. I wore a splint for a week and now I would like to start physical therapy. Is it too early to begin stretching my ligaments and trying to regain flexibilty in my thumb? Also, what are some exercises I can do while at work or home to strengthen my injured joint?

Answer

Regaining flexibility and strength are good goals after a dislocation injury. However, after this type of injury, it is important to protect the joint to prevent the risk of another dislocation. Therefore, I recommend you seek the evaluation of a skilled medical professional to examine your thumb and then recommend the most appropriate exercises. A physical therapist could assess the stability of your joint and determine where you have strength and flexibility deficits. The therapist could then tailor an individualized exercise program to best meet your needs. To find a physical therapist, log onto www.apta.org and click on “Find a PT.”

Beth Welander, PT, DPT