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I Might Have Fixed The Thumb!

The doctor told me that as soon as the pain and swelling was down enough that I could work with my thumb, I should do something similar to “traction” three or four times a day – gently pull on my thumb and twist it towards my hand.

You may remember that old Speck had a joint issue with his front legs/shoulders. We took him to an orthopedic vet who had his office in Indianapolis but several times a year, came to a vet’s office near Paducah, KY and saw patients there so we went there to see him. As I recall, it was kinda like a birth defect and where the leg fits into the shoulder, it was kinda like a ball and socket but Speck’s socket wasn’t like a round hole but more flattened and if he stopped suddenly or jumped wrong, the leg bone slid out of the shoulder bone. Basically, there were no bumpers up to keep the bone where it needed to be. I know that’s totally an all wrong description but that’s how I remember it. After quite a few late night trips to the vet’s office, the vet showed Vince how to get it back in place. Vince kinda had to pull the leg and twist. That was before the days of emergency vets and our local vet would meet us at his office when we called.

Last night I was sitting in my chair . . a bit bored because I couldn’t stitch and it wasn’t time for bed yet. I mashed around on my thumb and it wasn’t hurting. Of course, I had taken 600 mg of Ibuprofen about two hours before. I decided to try pulling and twisting gently, heard a little pop and instantly felt relief. I think I fixed it!

I still slept in the splint/brace . . whatever it’s called and probably will for a few more nights. I think I sleep with my hands kinda curled up tightly under my chin and wake up with them kinda stiff so the brace will help me not to do that. I’ll probably not stitch for a few more days because . . well, I just want to be kind to my thumb.

I can’t believe I did that! I’m such a wimp when it comes to medical things. I can’t even pull a splinter out of my own finger.

The thumb is still sore. It was kinda stiff this morning so it may take a while to get back to normal but since it wasn’t broken, I think it will be back to normal.

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Comments

  1. That is awesome. Definitely be kind to it for at least a couple days and maybe even uses one heat or ice (which ever feels best) right away in the morning when it is stiff. The ligaments and tendons will be a little loose still so it could come out of socket again. Glad you were able to fix it yourself.

    • I was thinking the same thing. It feels very weak. While washing the breakfast dishes, I picked up a skillet and was reminded that it’s not back to 100%.

  3. A thumb is probably an easy thing to fix on your own, seeing as how it’s right there at the tip of your fingers. But much better if you could not injure it in the first place. Good Luck!

    • Definitely and it helped that we had to do it so often with Speck’s leg.

  4. YEA! I do suggest you sleep in that brace for another 4 weeks. Those tendons/ligaments will take some time to get back into condition!

    • Really? It doesn’t bother me to sleep in it so I’ll take your advice. My hand feels much better in the mornings after having worn it. Today we went to Sam’s Club, then I came home and divided up some things, did a lot of vacuum sealing and I can feel it now but I can still move the thumb as well as before so I’m going to sit and read this afternoon and let it rest.

      Thanks for the info.

    • I second this. You don’t want to end up with a surgical repair down the road.

  5. For 3 Christmases straight, my brother broke his collar bone. The doctor had shown my mother how to get it back in place. She already had the brace so on the last one she put it back in place herself! Must have done a good job because he became a Marine when he got old enough!

  7. Elle said the same thing I would – keep sleeping in your brace. My right smallest finger has really bad arthritis and I’ve noticed since I’m not wearing my brace at night anymore that the arthritis is much, much worse. I’m going to wear the brace on my right hand every night now. Between that and the night guard I wear its not very attractive, but those 2 items really help me keep from making existing conditions worse. I’ll be glad if I don’t get that twisting sensation in my right little finger anymore (even when I’m completely still) — that really hurts! Luckily my husband doesn’t mind – and sometimes he has to wear the braces on BOTH his hands he has carpal tunnel so bad. This getting old is not for wusses, that’s for sure.

    • Good for doctor Judy! Had a similar problem with my right thumb when I got crowded by a steer we were loading for sale. After a few days of discomfort, pulled on it just because it felt better. Surprise! It clicked a little and felt better. Was careful for a few days because it was tender but have never had trouble with it.

      • Great to hear. Hope my results are the same as yours. I babied it for over a week but had no idea what was wrong with it. Next time I’ll know but I hope there isn’t a next time.

    • You are so right about getting old. And, it happened so fast! 🙂

      I’m glad the braces give you both some relief. At this point, most of us are past the pretty stage and are more concerned with less pain. 🙂

  8. Yay!! Great to hear!! Hope you’re able to get back to doing all the things you want soon!

  9. Next time you can just go to a vet, but your insurance probably wont cover it! Thanks Speck!

    • What if I check in at the vet’s and tell them my name is Oscar? 🙂

      • ..You could tell them you “identify as” a dog!

        Really glad you fixed it yourself, and sleeping in the brace sounds like an excellent idea.

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