A sprained thumb is an injury to the ligament that connects bones to each other at the joints to keep it stable. The following are some steps to take for a sprained thumb:

• Protection: Wearing a thumb splint or brace to keep from reinjuring it.
• Rest: Avoid using your hand for at least 48 hours after the injury.
• Ice: Apply ice to the area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day to reduce swelling and pain. Do not apply ice directly on the skin.
• Compression: Wrap up your thumb with a compression bandage to reduce swelling. Do not make the bandage too tight, as this could cut off blood flow to the thumb.
• Elevation: Keep your hand elevated above your heart as often as possible.

For a mild sprain, home treatment that includes the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is usually enough to improve the condition. For a moderate sprain, your doctor will probably immobilize your thumb joint with a bandage, thumb spica cast, or splint. For more severe sprains or tears of the ligament, surgery may be needed to restore stability to the joint. The length of recovery for a sprained thumb depends on the severity of the sprain. A mild sprain usually heals within four to six weeks if you wear a splint or cast to immobilize your thumb and refrain from activities that irritate it. A more severe sprain, such as a grade 3 sprain, could take several months before it’s fully healed and you’re able to use your thumb like normal again.