Thumb fracture
Your thumb plays a part in almost everything your hand does, from holding a cup to fastening a button. When it’s broken, getting the bones back into the right position can make a significant difference to how well your hand works once it has healed.
What is a thumb fracture?
A thumb fracture is a break in one of the bones that forms your thumb or connects it to your hand. One bone runs through your palm to the base of the thumb. This is called the first metacarpal. Above it are two smaller bones: the lower thumb bone (proximal phalanx) and the upper thumb bone (distal phalanx). Any of these bones can break. Fractures that affect a joint need particular care because an uneven joint surface can make the thumb stiff and increase the risk of thumb osteoarthritis in later life. Some breaks happen at the base of the first metacarpal and extend into the joint. These are called Bennett fractures. If the bone has broken into several pieces, it’s called a Rolando fracture. Both can be harder to keep in place while they heal.
What causes a thumb fracture?
A thumb can break when you land on it during a fall or when it’s forced backwards while catching a ball. A hard blow or forceful twist may cause the same injury.
Thumb fractures are often seen in contact sports and activities where the hand can become caught or twisted. Protective gloves or supportive taping may reduce the risk in some sports, but they can’t prevent every injury.
What are the symptoms of a thumb fracture?
A broken thumb is usually painful straight away. Swelling may develop quickly and spread into the hand.
Other signs can include:
- Tenderness over the injured bone
- Bruising around the thumb
- Difficulty gripping or pinching
- A change in the thumb’s shape
- Being unable to move it normally
A sprained thumb can cause similar symptoms. An assessment can show if you’ve damaged a bone or one of the strong bands of tissue that supports the thumb.
How is a thumb fracture diagnosed?
It’s best to seek medical advice promptly, particularly if the thumb looks out of position or you can’t move it. Delaying treatment can make it harder to realign the bones once swelling and healing have begun.
Your specialist will examine the thumb and ask how the injury happened. X-rays can show where the bone has broken, whether any pieces have moved and whether the break reaches a joint.
Occasionally, another scan may be needed for a clearer picture of a complicated break.
How is a thumb fracture treated?
Treatment depends on where the bone has broken and if the pieces are still in the right position. A stable break may only need protection while it heals. If the pieces have shifted or the break reaches the joint, they may need to be moved back into place.
The aim is to help your thumb heal in a position that gives you comfortable movement and a strong grip.
Treatment routes for Thumb fracture
Your specialist will explain what your X-rays show and why a particular approach is recommended. You may have further scans during treatment to check that the bone hasn’t moved.
A stable fracture can often be treated with a splint or cast that supports both the thumb and wrist. You’ll usually wear this for several weeks while the bone heals.
Further X-rays may be taken at this time. If the bone begins to move out of place, your treatment plan may need to change.
Once healing is secure, exercises can help ease stiffness and restore movement. A hand therapist may guide you if you need extra help getting your thumb moving again.
What to expect as your thumb heals
During this time:
Wear your cast or splint as advised Keep your hand raised if it’s swollen Move your free fingers to prevent stiffness Avoid gripping or lifting with the injured hand Once the bone is healing well, your specialist or hand therapist will help you reintroduce movement and gradually build strength. Follow-up X-rays will guide when you can return to manual work or sport.
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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