Chronic pain and difficulty with these types of activities suggests a serious injury, perhaps a bone fracture or a torn ligament.

Patients with a torn radial collateral ligament (RCL) often describe exactly these symptoms. They also describe trauma or an injury caused by compression through the tip of the thumb. The weight of your body and force of the injury hyperextends the thumb joint tearing the ligament at the base of the thumb.

An orthopedic surgeon or hand specialist will need to make the diagnosis. History and examination are often all that's needed. An X-ray may be taken to rule out a fracture.