Whats the difference between a sprain thumb and a broken thumb?

Fracture: It may be impossible to differentiate without an xray. Both can be swollen, painful and difficult to bend. Only an xray will see the fracture.

Alot : A sprained thumb is a soft tissue injury of the ligaments about one or more of the joints of the thumb a broken thumb is a fracture of one or more of the three bones of the thumb unless a ligament is completely torn usually sprains do not require and surgery depending on the fracture configuration and location a fracture may require surgery.