Elbow, Wrist & Hand

What It Is

A dislocated thumb is when the bones of a thumb joint are forced out of their normal position, usually because the supporting ligaments have been torn or overstretched. If the bones are only partly out of place, this is called a subluxation (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022). The hand is made up of three groups of bones. There are eight bones at the base of the hand that make up the wrist. In the middle part of the hand, there are five longer metacarpal bones, which connect the wrist bones to the fingers and thumb.

The fingers and thumb are the last group. Each finger has three bones, called phalanges. The thumb is different: it has two phalanges, and together with its metacarpal it has three joints – the interphalangeal (IP) joint at the tip, the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint where the thumb meets the hand, and the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the wrist (AAOS, n.d.).

Thumb injuries can happen to anyone. They commonly occur when a strong force bends the thumb backwards, for example when falling onto an outstretched hand (AAOS, n.d.). Thumb injuries are common in skiers and in ball sports such as basketball (AAOS, n.d.).

Thumb Dislocation Anatomy

The thumb is the first of the digits in the hand. It has a unique range of movement that isn't shared by the other digits. Beyond being able to bend its knuckle, the tip of the thumb can touch the tips of all the other fingers. Thanks to this range of motion, it helps us hold and grasp items.

During a dislocation it is likely you have torn one of the supporting ligaments, known as the collateral ligaments (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022; AAOS, n.d.).

It is also possible to sprain the collateral ligaments without a dislocation. A sprained thumb ligament is painful and may make the thumb feel loose and weaken your pinch and grip (AAOS, n.d.).

How to Treat a Thumb Dislocation (after it has been put back in place):

Once your medical team is happy, I can help with hands-on work and exercises to ease stiffness and swelling and get your thumb moving and gripping again. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Protection

Your clinician or hand therapist may strap the thumb or fit a splint to support it. Follow their instructions on how and when to wear it (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022; AAOS, n.d.). If your team has advised strapping, I can show you how to do it yourself.

2. Keep Using the Hand Gently

Complete rest is not advisable. Gently and regularly move the joint as advised, and try to use your hand normally for everyday tasks such as washing, dressing and eating, while avoiding heavy lifting or gripping (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022).

3. Ice

Apply a cold pack wrapped in a cloth for up to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day; never put ice directly on the skin (AAOS, n.d.). Check with me first that ice is right for you, and I can show you how to use it safely at home.

4. Elevation

Keep your hand raised, especially at night on pillows, to help reduce swelling (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022).

5. Movement

Exercising the thumb early is very important to prevent stiffness (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022). You will notice the thumb is very stiff at first.

6. See a Therapist

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and hand therapists all have expertise in treating and splinting thumbs, and can guide your exercises. I can also guide your exercises, and point you to one of them if you need a splint fitted.

7. Anti-inflammatory Medicine

For sprains, the NHS (2024) suggests ibuprofen gel to bring down swelling, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS, n.d.) says anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling of a sprained thumb; if pain and swelling continue for more than 48 hours, see a doctor. (This medicine information comes from the NHS and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

8. Compression

If your clinician advises it, an elastic compression bandage can help reduce swelling. Do not make it too tight, as this could cut off blood flow to the thumb (AAOS, n.d.).

9. Rehabilitation:

Rehab of thumb injuries is very important as the thumb is so crucial for gripping. Physiotherapists and hand specialists are good people to advise on rehabilitation after a thumb sprain or dislocation. They may first protect the thumb, then work to reduce swelling, then restore full movement. Joint stiffness is the most common complication (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022). I can support this rehabilitation, working within your medical team's plan.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

What to Do if You Think You Have Dislocated Your Thumb

Do not try to put the thumb back in place yourself. A dislocated joint needs to be put back (reduced) as soon as possible by a trained clinician, usually in an emergency department (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022). It is quite common for a small piece of bone to break off with the dislocation (an avulsion fracture) (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022), and it can be hard to tell a dislocation from a break or a bad sprain without an X-ray (NHS, 2025). Doctors usually take X-rays to check for a fracture before putting the joint back (Leggit and Meko, 2006).

Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if your thumb is pointing at an odd angle, looks blue or feels numb, or there is a cut with bone showing (NHS, 2025).

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Splint or cast: for more serious ligament injuries, a doctor may hold the thumb in a splint or cast while it heals (AAOS, n.d.).
Surgery: severe ligament tears, or joints that cannot be put back or stay unstable, may need surgery (AAOS, n.d.; Leggit and Meko, 2006).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Hands-on work for the hand, forearm and shoulder, and help with swelling
Exercises for thumb movement, pinch and grip
Showing you how to strap or tape your thumb yourself

Tips

For the first couple of days after the injury, avoid heat, such as hot baths and heat packs (NHS, 2024).
Avoid exercise movements that aggravate the thumb to prevent further injury.
Avoid massage for the first couple of days after the injury, as it can increase swelling (NHS, 2024). Later, your hand therapist may show you how to massage the thumb towards the wrist to help reduce swelling (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022). I can show you this too.
Swelling can take several months to settle fully (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022). Heavy manual work and full contact sport are best avoided until at least 6 weeks after the injury (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2022).

Treatment

My Approach

After a thumb dislocation, the torn ligaments need a spell of protection, but a thumb kept still too long gets stiff, the most common problem afterwards. Your medical team decides how the thumb is protected and for how long, and I work within their instructions. If you've had surgery, or a break that stops your normal daily activities, I need your team's okay before any hands-on treatment.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

While It's Protected

Easing the forearm, shoulder and neck, and the other arm, which takes over
Gentle lymphatic drainage above the splint, with your hand raised
Leaving the injured joint alone early on, while keeping the fingers, wrist and elbow moving
Coaching the thumb exercises your team has given you, and showing you how to strap the thumb yourself if they've advised it

As It Heals

Warm applications and hands-on work for the hand and forearm, then gentle work around the joint
Strength before full range: gentle holds first, then pinch and grip work with putty or a soft ball
Gentle joint mobilisation for stiffness, only once your team is happy the joint is stable, and never in the direction it came out
A graded return to work, the gym or sport, with taping at first, and I'll show you how to tape it yourself

If you've had surgery, I don't stretch the repair. If your thumb goes numb, blue or cold, or looks out of place again, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Early visits are usually short and once or twice a week, then weekly, then spacing out as you manage more on your own. Swelling can take several months to settle fully, and heavy manual work and full contact sport usually wait until at least 6 weeks after the injury, following your medical team's plan.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Swelling Control

Strength Before Range

Thumb Mobility

Pinch & Grip Strength

Sources

References

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (2022) Hand therapy – finger and thumb interphalangeal joint dislocation or thumb metacarpal joint dislocation. Available at: https://hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/hand-therapy-finger-and-thumb-interphalangeal-joint-dislocation-or-thumb-metacarpal-joint-dislocation (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Sprained thumb. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/sprained-thumb/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Thumb fractures. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/thumb-fractures/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2025) Broken finger or thumb. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-finger/ (Accessed: 8 October 2026).
Leggit, J.C. and Meko, C.J. (2006) 'Acute finger injuries: part II. Fractures, dislocations, and thumb injuries', American Family Physician, 73(5), pp. 827–834. Available at: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2006/0301/p827.html (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2024) Sprains and strains. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/ (Accessed: 8 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooThumb Dislocation

What It Is

Thumb Dislocation Anatomy

1. Protection

2. Keep Using the Hand Gently

3. Ice

4. Elevation

5. Movement

6. See a Therapist

7. Anti-inflammatory Medicine

8. Compression

9. Rehabilitation:

Self-Care & Treatment

What to Do if You Think You Have Dislocated Your Thumb

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

While It's Protected

As It Heals

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooThumb Dislocation

What It Is

Thumb Dislocation Anatomy

1. Protection

2. Keep Using the Hand Gently

3. Ice

4. Elevation

5. Movement

6. See a Therapist

7. Anti-inflammatory Medicine

8. Compression

9. Rehabilitation:

Self-Care & Treatment

What to Do if You Think You Have Dislocated Your Thumb

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

While It's Protected

As It Heals

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Bennett's Fracture

Boutonniere Deformity of the Finger

Carpal Bone Fracture

Colles' Fracture

Book a session