Numbness in My Thumb
I sustained a significant cut at the base of my thumb, resulting in numbness on the left side while the right side feels fine. The physician indicated that there’s a chance for it to heal completely, although it’s uncertain. I experience tingling sensations whenever I touch around the thumb area, and the thumb's tip has intermittent pain. Currently, I’m unable to utilize my left hand effectively since my thumb is nonfunctional. I’m concerned about whether I will regain sensation and how long it might take before I can use my hand as I did before. Additionally, I’m curious if it’s advisable to move my finger slightly or if I should keep it completely still. Today is Friday, and since the incident occurred on Monday, my thumb remains partially numb and extremely sensitive, making normal use of my hand difficult. I’m a 21-year-old female, not on any medications, do not smoke, and overall, I consider myself to be in good health, thankfully.
Answers (1)
3/28/2025, 10:10:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing a challenging recovery process after your thumb injury, and it's understandable to have concerns about sensation and functionality. Here’s a summary of important points regarding your situation:
-
Symptoms and Healing: Numbness and tingling may be due to nerve irritations or damage from the cut, which can take time to heal. Healing times vary, but it's not unusual to see gradual improvement over weeks to months.
-
Movement and Care: Gentle movement can promote healing and reduce stiffness, but it’s essential to find a balance to avoid aggravating the area.
Explanation
After a significant cut, particularly if it affected skin and potentially some underlying structures, it’s common for nerves that help sensation and movement to be impacted. Your experience of numbness and tingling suggests that the nerves may still be recovering. Healing can indeed vary based on the severity of the injury, the extent of nerve involvement, and individual health factors.
Next Steps
-
Gentle Mobility: Start with very gentle movements of your thumb and fingers. Limit hard movements that cause pain, and stretch only as much as feels comfortable. Frequent gentle motion can reduce stiffness.
-
Protection and Care: Keep the area clean and protected. If you haven't been provided with a specific dressing regimen, maintain a sterile environment to prevent infection. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help manage any discomfort if advised by your previous physician.
-
Observation: Take note of any changes in sensation, pain, or functionality over the next week. Keeping a daily log of your symptoms may help you track improvement and notice patterns.
-
Cold Compress: If the area feels very sensitive, a cold compress (not directly on the skin) can help alleviate discomfort temporarily.
-
Patience and Reassurance: Understand that nerve recovery can be slow and varies from person to person. Give yourself the time needed to heal, and consider gentle stretching as tolerated.
If your symptoms worsen (such as increased pain, swelling, or if the numbness spreads), or if you have any concerns about your recovery, do not hesitate to seek medical advice. Healing takes time, but many people recover well from similar injuries.
Related Questions
Experiencing Medical Adhesive for the First Time
I apologize for the awkwardness of this message, as I’m typing with my non-dominant hand. I'm a young woman, and an incident occurred while I was drinking. To keep it brief, I managed to accidentally slice the tip of my thumb off about two hours ago. Thankfully, it wasn’t an extensive injury, but enough to cause bleeding that lasted for roughly 30 minutes, even with pressure applied and my hand elevated. (For context, the cut extends a few millimeters deep, penetrating beyond just the surface layer of skin.) Following the accident, I visited the hospital where they applied medical glue, wrapped it up, and discharged me. As I was leaving, I began experiencing some pain, which persists. Upon returning home, I noticed some blood on the gauze covering the injury, which appeared roughly an hour after I got back. Is this typical? The hospital did not provide any pain relief, which I’m not overly concerned about since it is only my finger, but my tendency to be a bit of a hypochondriac is making me anxious. This is my first experience with such an injury. What’s the recommended method for cleaning it once I change the dressing? Thanks in advance!
Seeking Guidance on Long-Term Shoulder Muscle Loss After Dislocation
I am a 25-year-old male, and five years ago, I experienced a dislocation of my left shoulder. While the joint has healed well and I have regained a good range of motion, the muscle in my shoulder has not recovered. There is a noticeable difference in muscle mass when compared to my right shoulder. Additionally, I have lost sensation in the area where the muscle has atrophied. When I touch that spot, I feel almost nothing at all. I recall being informed that sensation might return within six months to two years, but unfortunately, that hasn’t happened. In the gym, I've also realized that my left shoulder functions improperly during workouts. While performing chest and shoulder exercises, it seems as though my triceps compensate excessively, rather than the shoulder muscle engaging as it should. This leads to a very frustrating and unbalanced training experience. At this juncture, I’m concerned that the issue may stem from lasting nerve damage caused by the dislocation. I’m curious whether it’s still feasible to rebuild the muscle or regain sensation after such a lengthy period, or if this condition is likely permanent. Have others found themselves in similar situations years later, and did they manage to make any progress or uncover the root cause of their issues? I’m not seeking a diagnosis; I simply wish to understand if the muscle damage is irreversible or if there remains a possible pathway to recovery. What steps should I consider taking next? I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights regarding my situation. Thank you!
Appropriate Use of Athletic Tape for Swimmers
To provide some background, I’m a 17-year-old female and currently competing in high school swimming while dealing with a knee injury. Essentially, my knee joint is unstable, and it will take several months for recovery. Both knees are affected, and I experience a constant pain level of around 7 out of 10. I've been advised to undergo physical therapy and to utilize athletic tape while swimming during my recovery, along with having to rely on knee braces for long-term support. However, the issue I face is that the tape tends to come off during school hours, and I can’t use my knee brace while I’m in the water. I’m looking for suggestions on how to better secure the tape or if I should consider wrapping it entirely around my knee. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Considering Surgery for a Ganglion Cyst: Is It Justified?
At 32 years old, I've been dealing with a ganglion cyst on my right wrist for nearly nine years, and it shows no signs of disappearing. After consulting with a hand surgeon, I was informed that the cyst is positioned quite deeply. My choices are either to tolerate it or undergo surgical excision. I'm grappling with the decision of whether the surgery is worthwhile. On one side, this condition disrupts my daily life; it leaves me with a sense of wrist weakness. I frequently experience a persistent ache that intensifies after long hours at my desk, while driving, or engaging in exercises such as planks and push-ups. I also feel discomfort from simply holding my phone for an extended period. However, I weigh these inconveniences against the potential complications of surgery, the recovery period, and the possibility of needing time off work. Moreover, there’s the risk of the cyst returning afterward, which adds to my uncertainty. I would greatly appreciate any insights or personal experiences from those who have faced a similar dilemma.
Seeking Advice on Knee Discomfort
A 27-year-old woman with no significant medical history, except for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on her right knee in 2024, is currently experiencing concerning knee issues. Following the surgical procedure, she had a smooth recovery, successfully completing physical therapy six months post-surgery and returning to her usual lifestyle. However, six weeks ago, she unexpectedly felt her knee give way while simply turning her body. Accompanied by a loud pop, she was struck by severe pain that rendered her unable to bend her knee, which felt as if it were pinched or spasming. It temporarily locked until she managed to shift it in a specific way to regain movement. After undergoing an MRI, the findings indicated that while her ACL remained intact, there were signs of degeneration, arthrofibrosis, a small buildup of fluid, mild synovitis, and a 6cm Baker's cyst in the joint. Her surgeon, displaying little concern, suggested that rest and physical therapy would be beneficial and expected her to return to her job within six weeks. However, despite reaching this point and attending six therapy sessions, her knee has not improved. Persistent swelling, stiffness, and a warm sensation remain, with her mobility hampered to the extent of requiring a knee brace and walking with a limp. She experiences a lingering feeling of instability, alongside new symptoms of grinding or popping sounds during bending or extending movements of her knee, which were not present prior to her current injury or the initial reconstruction. Additionally, she has been experiencing intermittent sharp pains while walking, further complicating her ability to move freely. She is concerned that there may be underlying conditions being overlooked, potentially leading to further deterioration of her knee. This raises several questions: Could this indicate the onset of arthritis? Is there a possibility of a meniscal issue that the MRI did not detect?