i injured my thumb playing basketball about a month ago. i think it bent backwards but im unsure because it all happened so fast. the next day it was hurt to the point where i couldnt do simple things with it, such as use a lighter. there was severe bruising on my hand from the base of my thumb to just before my wrist (where the hand ends). the pain has gotten better since then but has seemed to hit a wall. Its been 4 weeks now and it still really bothers me to do everyday things. i got it xrayed and they said it was fine but it doesnt feel fine. its still a little swollen. it specifically hurts if i reach my thumb across my hand to the base of my little finger. and i can find a spot on the very base of my thumb that if i touch it it kills. iv dislocated and fractured this bone before about 4-5 years ago but like i said the x ray i took a couple weeks ago was negative. i was just wondering what it could possibly be, and what i need to do to get this thing back to full strength. iv been wearing a thumb splint occasionally that they made me for the last time it broke (it was the same thumb) but it always gets extremely stiff.