I fell about 2 months ago and stoped my fall by landing on my hands. About a week later I experienced quite a bit of pain in my left thumb, it would bend on the half joint where the nail is and hurt like hell. I had to snap it back to place. It seemed like trigger finger, but I do not have artheritis. I could move it all around, it was not swollen or broken. My Dr. looked at it and said it will be OK just give it time because I might of damaged the ligament. So I bandaged it for a few hrs daily and gradually the pain lessened, but my my thumb is kind of stiff. I can't bend the joint that would bend on its own. So I started to bend it with my other hand a few times per day just to keep it mobile. I also wear a finger spint when I can, usually at night. Am I doing the right thing. I have "chinese metal balls" which I could use as therapy but am afraid that I might damage the ligaments again, if I move the thumb too much. The pain has subsided but not completely. My thumb is stiff.but I work on it daily. How long does it take to cure a painful thumb.