Did I burst a vein in my thumb?

Question

Today at volleyball practice I noticed that my thumb was hurting a lot, especially when I hit the ball. I looked at it and there was a big, fat, blue vein protruding from my... is it a lower knuckle? Well it's where most people would crack their thumb knuckle, the lowest part that bends from the hand.

I moved it around, and from side to side it didn't hurt but when i bent it into my hand (as if to make a 4 with my fingers) it hurt a fair amount, and when I touched the site of it, it was extremely tender. I went to the sports doctor and he gave me some ice which made the swelling go down, but it still hurts whenever I touch it at all or move it too much. Apparently typing doesn't hurt though.

What it looks like:

There is a darkish purplish line thing on the side of the part that is circled:

http://i36.tinypic.com/16m6dlu.png

Does anyone know what I did? I didn't get an answer from the sports doctor, so that's why I'm asking here.

Answer 1

your sports doctor should have tell you what was going on, i had the same problem when i used to play volleyball, my thumb actually bend right back, it hurts a bit but then it just gradually went away, there should be a vein, i think that's why you are seeing the vein now, but you need to take care of it though. (your question just took me back almost 2 decades) .