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What Causes Sharp Pain In Thumb Along With Dark Blue Line On It?
Question: Hi I was driving earlier and felt a sharp pain in my thumb and noticed that the thumb has a dark blue line across it about 2mm thick, this looks like a vein and its non blanching. It hurts to touch but I am freaking myself out a little that its a blood clot in my thumb - is that at all likely? the thumb isn't swollen or red, just painful to touch
Brief Answer:
Seems to be a micro-vessel rupture.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that it seems to be a possible micro-rupture of a small branch of Princeps pollicis artery, which is the blood vessel supplying blood to the thumb.
This usually happens when there exists an increased fragility of small blood vessel, especially when the thumb is exposed to repeated micro-trauma, or even to a single direct trauma (pressure, vessel twisting, etc). Driving is a complex procedure, involving thumb as well as all other fingers.
So, there exist possibility for vessel torsion, compression, and even micro-trauma capable of causing vessel rupture.
This micro-ruptures are usually associated with sharp, well localized pain over the underlying vessel.
The dark blue line corresponds to extravasation of blood in the interstitial tissue surrounding the vessel.
I would like to assure you that nothing dangerous is going to happen except a nagging pain for a while. Just apply some cold stuff over the thumb to cause vessel-constriction and minimize further blood extravasation. The bluish line will require further time to dissipate.
If necessary any pain killer medications may be helpful.
Avoid further possible micro-trauma for a while (several complex procedures, involving the fingers).
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri.
Seems to be a micro-vessel rupture.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that it seems to be a possible micro-rupture of a small branch of Princeps pollicis artery, which is the blood vessel supplying blood to the thumb.
This usually happens when there exists an increased fragility of small blood vessel, especially when the thumb is exposed to repeated micro-trauma, or even to a single direct trauma (pressure, vessel twisting, etc). Driving is a complex procedure, involving thumb as well as all other fingers.
So, there exist possibility for vessel torsion, compression, and even micro-trauma capable of causing vessel rupture.
This micro-ruptures are usually associated with sharp, well localized pain over the underlying vessel.
The dark blue line corresponds to extravasation of blood in the interstitial tissue surrounding the vessel.
I would like to assure you that nothing dangerous is going to happen except a nagging pain for a while. Just apply some cold stuff over the thumb to cause vessel-constriction and minimize further blood extravasation. The bluish line will require further time to dissipate.
If necessary any pain killer medications may be helpful.
Avoid further possible micro-trauma for a while (several complex procedures, involving the fingers).
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thanks for that, the line is more reddish/ purple over the inside of the thumb joint (inside knuckle) now and fading to lighter blue towards the thumb joint. is this essentially the same as a bruise?
Brief Answer:
Everything is going to return to normal after a couple of days.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again!
Yes! The colored line will need a couple of days to disappear. Don't worry about that! It is not an important issue.
Wish you a good health! Dr. Iliri
Everything is going to return to normal after a couple of days.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again!
Yes! The colored line will need a couple of days to disappear. Don't worry about that! It is not an important issue.
Wish you a good health! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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