What could cause a painful thumb?

Answer by  helper72 (282)

One possibility is that you managed to hurt it somehow in your sleep. Perhaps you might have strained your thumb doing something strenuous earlier but you didn't feel it until later. Also, it could be an ingrown nail. Have a doctor check it out.

Answer by  rawdealdemo (5)

If the pain is dull and comes in waves from deep inside the joints and not so much the bone. It very well may be arthritis.