What is wrong with my thumb??

[StaceyinLA]

All of a sudden last night, I felt the serious need to pop the knuckle in my thumb. It hurt SO bad, but felt like if I popped it, it would feel better. Well, this morning it is swollen, red around the knuckle area, and hot to the touch. I can use it for typing and stuff, but it still feels like it needs to pop. Could it be dislocated? Broken? What is going ON with this thumb of mine??

[KatieinMich]

Maybe arthritis?? I get it sometimes in my thumb area of my hands.
Try some heat for a while, but call Dr if is not gone in 24 hours or so.

[StaceyinLA]

I just didn't think it would affect the appearance from the outside...

[NevadaRabbit]

All of a sudden last night, I felt the serious need to pop the knuckle in my thumb. It hurt SO bad, but felt like if I popped it, it would feel better. Well, this morning it is swollen, red around the knuckle area, and hot to the touch. I can use it for typing and stuff, but it still feels like it needs to pop. Could it be dislocated? Broken? What is going ON with this thumb of mine??

A sudden flare-up with redness and swelling sounds like a gout attack. Not as common in the thumb, but possible. Take a moderate dose of Advil or Motrin regularly for a few days and see if that helps.

[Country Girl]

Sounds like gout to me as well. It is most common in the big toe but I get it in my thumb sometimes too.

[Parrothead]

Here's a link for gout: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/DS00090/DSECTION=symptoms

Here's one for osteoarthritis:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis/DS00019/DSECTION=symptoms

Sounds more like gout.

Hope it gets to feeling better soon.