ever have a sprained THUMB? or CARPEL TUNNEL?

[mafibisha]

Ok, I know y'all aren't doctors but wondered if any of you have experienced this.

I don't think its carpel tunnel because its more on the TOP of my hand, near the top of my thumb and up into the top of my forearm, and carpel tunnel is under in your wrist, right?

I don't remember doing anything specific to sprain or strain my hand or arm, but I'm always doing something, and we recently helped move my great aunt into a condo, with lots of lifting and moving stuff around.

Anyway, just wondered if any of you've had this, and how long it took for it to get better. I occasionally see people with their wrists wrapped and now I'm wondering if this is why?

(or is this because I recently celebrated the big 4-0 ? )

 

[momof5boys]

Yeah, probably tendonitis. Try ice and Advil for a few days, if that doesn't help then see the doctor. That is not typical for carpal tunnel. Actually now that I'm typing I can feel that little twinge start just where you described, did alot of yard work yest. and I have tendonitis chronically! Better ice it soon or it will be a painful couple of weeks for me! (still have stuff to finish though! ) Feel better!

 

[golfgal]

Tendonitis is an overuse injury, not typically something you get all at once. If you were lifting heavy boxes chances are you strained some of the muscles/ligaments. Ice and ibuprofen are sure bets.

My DD is experiencing something similar right now. she went to take a club out of her golf bag at practice the other day and had an immediate, sharp pain and wasn't able to grip a club. She didn't play in their tournament yesterday and I am going to take her into the sports med dr today (if I can get an appointment). I am thinking it is a pinched nerve given her symptoms but I want to rule out other possibilities too.

 

[*BTMRR*]

You poor thing. I had something like that (it didn't go all the way to my forearm but it was definitely what I'd call a sprained thumb). I had tried to carry too many plastic grocery bags looped over my wrists and thumbs--at least that's what I think it was, because though I didn't feel an injury happen at that moment the pain started later that day. I couldn't believe how long it hurt--it was a month before it really started getting better, and 3-4 months before there was no pain. I never saw a doctor for it, just took Motrin regularly for a while, but you should go to the doctor if it's not improving.

 

[mafibisha]

Thanks guys. Tendonitis never occurred to me but it sure sounds like it is. Love Advil so here's hoping it helps!!

 

[golfgal]

DD's diagnosis is tenosynovitis, which is an inflammation of the sheath covering the tendon, which is WAY better then tendinitis. Since we are dealing with an athlete 2 weeks away from section tournaments she received a steroid injection into the tendon to reduce the inflammation and was given a brace to wear over the weekend. She is also to ice and take 3 advil 3 times/day for the next however many weeks.

Otherwise the treatment would have been rest, ice, advil for 2 weeks or so.

The dr said she sees these types of injuries usually from heavy lifting or weird twisting motions.

 

[hiwaygal]

Google: De Quervain's tenosynovitis

That's what it kinda sounds like to me.

I've sprained my thumb, had carpal tunnel, and 'trigger fingers'...and now I have De Quervain's. What you are describing sounds similar.

I've been dealing with it for about 18 months, have had several cortisone injections and am getting ready to try another one (and hope it works). If it comes back with a vengeance, I will most likley have surgery to repair in next summer.

 

[pixiewings71]

I just got released back to full duty at work after having De Guervain's. I did 8 weeks of PT and ended up with the cortizone injection, that's what did the trick for me. I suggest seeing your dr for it, see what they say about it and what they suggest doing. I tried to take care of it myself but my job was so busy (data entry) and I just had so much work it took a dr visit to get things taken care of for me.

 

[mafibisha]

DD's diagnosis is tenosynovitis, which is an inflammation of the sheath covering the tendon, which is WAY better then tendinitis. Since we are dealing with an athlete 2 weeks away from section tournaments she received a steroid injection into the tendon to reduce the inflammation and was given a brace to wear over the weekend. She is also to ice and take 3 advil 3 times/day for the next however many weeks.

Otherwise the treatment would have been rest, ice, advil for 2 weeks or so.

The dr said she sees these types of injuries usually from heavy lifting or weird twisting motions.

Google: De Quervain's tenosynovitis

That's what it kinda sounds like to me.

I've sprained my thumb, had carpal tunnel, and 'trigger fingers'...and now I have De Quervain's. What you are describing sounds similar.

I've been dealing with it for about 18 months, have had several cortisone injections and am getting ready to try another one (and hope it works). If it comes back with a vengeance, I will most likley have surgery to repair in next summer.

I just got released back to full duty at work after having De Guervain's. I did 8 weeks of PT and ended up with the cortizone injection, that's what did the trick for me. I suggest seeing your dr for it, see what they say about it and what they suggest doing. I tried to take care of it myself but my job was so busy (data entry) and I just had so much work it took a dr visit to get things taken care of for me.

OMIGOSH, I think thats it! Thank you so much for helping me identify it! I will now try to figure out my options. And if, or when I see my doctor, I'll be able to help him!

These two pictures show exactly where mine is. It starts at the thumb and moves up the forearm.

http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/uploads/VMC/DiseaseImages/872_dequervains.jpg

http://www.mountnittany.org/assets/images/krames/7488.jpg

Really y'all, this board is the best, I'm so grateful. Thanks !!!:

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh good!!! I'm glad my pain helped you. LOL It really had gotten bad for me, I was in constant pain so I made the choice to go to the dr. He did suggest alternate heat and cold, heat to relax it, cold to make the swelling go down. I too had the pain all the way up my arm and into my shoulder.....the PT was helpful with that. Very helpful actually. My job actually paid for my dr visits and PT because DG is a result of my heavy data entry position. Good luck, feel better soon!!! Oh I used Thermacare the Target brand of Icy Hot for my wrist. The Target brand heat wraps basically sucked. lol

 

[mafibisha]

Oh good!!! I'm glad my pain helped you. LOL It really had gotten bad for me, I was in constant pain so I made the choice to go to the dr. He did suggest alternate heat and cold, heat to relax it, cold to make the swelling go down. I too had the pain all the way up my arm and into my shoulder.....the PT was helpful with that. Very helpful actually. My job actually paid for my dr visits and PT because DG is a result of my heavy data entry position. Good luck, feel better soon!!! Oh I used Thermacare the Target brand of Icy Hot for my wrist. The Target brand heat wraps basically sucked. lol

Just seeing this now and thanks for the additional information. Its still hurting, although there are times when it doesn't at all! And there are times when it feels like it's cracking, like a knee would, and then it feels better for a bit, but then it hurts again.

Anyway, what type of doctor did you see, an orthopedic surgeon or sports orthopod?

 

[cepmom]

I had DeQuervin's tendonitis as well some years ago. It hurts!! I went to occupational therapy and had to wear a brace for a while. It did get better with treatment...did not have to have any cortisone injections though (thankfully!) Ice and advil helped a lot.

 

[MickeysMommy]

I had DeQuervin's tendonitis as well some years ago. It hurts!! I went to occupational therapy and had to wear a brace for a while. It did get better with treatment...did not have to have any cortisone injections though (thankfully!) Ice and advil helped a lot.

You're lucky. I've had countless cortisone shots. For me they "work" for about a year and then I need to go back. OP it definitely sounds like you have this.

 

[pixiewings71]

I saw an occupational doctor, and a physical therapist. My employer paid for the treatment but then they fired me.....hmmmmmm I wonder......

Mine doesn't bother me as much anymore but it does still get swollen some days. If it's not a work related deal call your regular doctor and they can refer you from there.

 

[buckler]

If you have anything wrong with your hand or wrist you probably should see a hand specialist. Some hand specialists also do elbows and shoulders. The hand and wrist are very complicated and hand specialists have at least a year of added training just in this area, plus they have to pass a special exam.

You can find one in your area by going to this link:

Find a Hand Specialist