Bent Thumbs

My thumbs have started to bend outwards from the first joint above the nail, its limiting my hand use more than ever. Has anyone on here experienced this and was anything able to be done to help ?

[curlyburli]

My thumbs are also changing shape. They are bending out from the weakened base on the thumb. I was given moulded splints to wear but rarely do as its a pest keep taking them off to wash or cook etc,.

[John1945]

Hello to Ulrich .....

I am assuming that you are currently suffering from Cmt ?

If you are, then problems with your fingers, and hands are well known to Cmt sufferer's: As you get older, the dreaded "Cmt hands" may start to appear where "Clawing" inwards can be expected, due to the muscles on the backs of your hands weakening, whilst the muscles on the front of your hands, are much stronger, and as a result they pull your fingers inwards:

Both my daughter, and my son (early forties), have problems with their thumbs, and at an early age, and were noted that they both had been born with little, or no "Abductor-Pollicis-Brevis" the muscle positioned between the base of their thumbs, and forefinger: The phrase a "double-jointed" thumb was used due to lack of a muscle:

However, a "hitch-hikers" thumb is another possibility for you?

Personally, I at 69 years, have now lost 95% of my "fine-finger-dexterity", resulting in me being unable to pick-up coins - open and close buttons - Zip Pulling problems - grasping circular glasses - removing cards from wallets - miss-hitting letters on a PC's keyboard, and I experience mild tremor, and total hand(s) weakness:

Try this test, open and spread wide your fingers outwards, look at the space between your thumb and forefinger, is it hollow ? it should contain a "fleshy-muscle" ? Now make your open fingers, also make your thumb rigid:

Then with your other hand gently push your 'rigid' thumb inwards towards the palm of the hand: Try to stiffen your thumb to resist being pushed inwards, if it moves inwards easily against the forefinger, then you may also have no "Abductor-Pollicis-Brevis" muscle in that area:

Best of health to you.....

John (Glasgow).....

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Thank you for your replies. I too am without Abductor muscle. All the best.