I would wrap it to my hand so I couldn't use it. I've used a rubber band for something similar with my hand.

Skip the ibuproben if you can. Ice works just as well and does not hurt your stomach. It has also been recently linked to heart attacks and stroke even with light short term use.

Heat always works for me. I believe it's recommended to start with ice first to reduce inflammation then switch to or alternate with heat. Your body will tell you what helps.

It needs to rest so make sure you can't use it much. Some gentle wriggling is probably good to do periodically.

It could be De Quervain's and/or trigger finger, both of which should respond to nsaids, cold therapy, rest/splinting and gentle stretching. If not, of course, see your doctor.

You're doing the nsaids without resolution, so you can choose to continue in conjunction with the aforementioned modalities, or switch to another nsaid, such as Aleve, if you are medically cleared to do so.

With or without nsaid therapy, you may not be resting long enough to allow for healing. You want to arrest that inflammation to clear the decks for tissue healing.

A bag of frozen peas applied over the area can mold to your thumb and provide pain relief and reduce inflammation.

Most pharmacies stock inexpensive thumb splints/stabilizers.

I get tendonitis in my thumbs from keyboard work. (not carpel tunnel). When it flairs up (as when I have a systemic allergic reaction to something) I use fingerless compression gloves to sleep in. It seems to settle them down overnight. I could even use the gloves all day, but I get the weirdest comments from co-workers if I do!

I find that gripping the steering wheel while driving makes my thumb worse. I try to hold the steering wheel with the thumb right next to my pointer finger, not around and under the wheel rim.

Jane, I developed "trigger thumb", which began slowly over several months building from something rather painless into a serious issue for me.

I eschewed cortisone shots and surgery and opted for icing, stretching, and splinting (see here) over many weeks. I wore the splint every night and some of each day.....a PITA but it wasn't long before I began to feel improvement.

I'd say that my thumb is 90% better and I think that's all I'm going to get without surgery. I'm perfectly happy with it though it has taken a lot of time.

My rheumatologist prescribed splinting which avoided possible surgery.

Like rhizo, it was a PITA but much preferable than the OR.

Ice to reduce inflammation.

If you have bruising, you start with ice to reduce the swelling & then switch to heat to increase circulation to help dissipate the bruise (old yucky blood).

Thanks everyone!

I just made a temporary splint like the one rhizo linked to to see how it would work. I wrapped an exercise band around my thumb, secured it with electrical tape, and stuck a tiny bistro spoon up it. (I may use a big bandage next time since the spoon provides the stability.)

Now we'll see how well I can get around with it. I may order the one online if it works out - it looks like it would work for any finger.

I've also been icing the area with a gel pack.

I bought a bag of craft sticks in the craft department. They looked like extra wide popsicle sticks. They were long enough to reach to the end of my finger and up into the palm. That would be more comfortable than the spoon.

This little brace is working out great so far. I can use my thumb for leverage. My attitude is a lot better too.

I think it may be healing because there were two problem joints before, and the one near my palm has diminished in severity somewhat.

There is a great video at that braceability link rhizo posted that showed what is likely going on inside the hand. That helped me a lot.

These are the little bistro spoons I have. I use them every day:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/bistro-espresso-4-25-inch-spoons-set-of-4/1017292153

Hi Jane,

If you position and wrap that spoon in just the right way (supposing it's large enough to reach down far enough to tape to the hand below the knuckle) ...

... you could probably use it for soup, stew, cereal, etc.

(There would be the problem of washing, though).

o j