Post-surgery Trigger Finger, And Shooting Pain On The Thumb Side Of The Wrist

by Happi
(elk river, mn)


Hi Joshua.

I have osteoarthritis in both hands. I have also had surgery on both thumbs for trigger finger.

The problem is my wrist and thumb.

If I move my wrist a certain way or move my thumb up I get a sharp shooting pain on the thumb side of my wrist.

Is this Tendinitis? What can I do? I have had this for more than two months.

Will it go away by itself?

I can't afford to go to the doctor. Please help me.

Thank you
Happi (Happi is not Happi)

----

Joshua Answers:

Hello Happi.

I'm happy to help as I can.

So it sounds like there's A LOT going on in your hands.

Will it go away all on it's own? Not likely. It sounds like this pain is just a continuation of the process that has been evolving in your hands.

Is it Tendinitis? Maybe.

At this point, however, it's something of a moot point.

We need to reverse the dynamic, get most of the pain out, and then it will be easier to identify what if any actual damage is in there.

The surgery very well may have helped the trigger finger, but it made the nervous system kick in more defensive measures, which unfortunately lead to more tightness and more pain.

Even if you have painful repercussion from the surgery, we can get everything much better. It will take some time and effort, but it's totally doable.

First things first.

Answer these questions so I have an even better idea what's going on, and then let's start getting you out of pain.

1. How long have you been having hand pain?

2. How old are you?

3. What do/did you do with your hands that led to something like trigger finger?

4. Do you have any other health issues? Or, how would you describe your health in general.

5. What movements cause your wrist to hurt?

6. What exact movement causes your thumb side to hurt?

7. Do other movements cause pain?

8. Do you have pain when your hands are at rest/not moving?

9. Describe your osteoarthritis.




Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com















Subscribe to The Tendonitis Expert Newsletter Today!

For TIPS, TRICKS, and up-to-date Tendonitis information you need!


Email


Name



Then



Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.

I promise to use it only to send you The Tendonitis Expert Newsletter.






























Comments for
Post-surgery Trigger Finger, And Shooting Pain On The Thumb Side Of The Wrist

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

May 04, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
PART 2 -- Post-surgery Trigger Finger, And Shooting Pain On The Thumb Side Of The Wrist
by: Happi

Hi Joshua, Thank you for responding so fast. Here are the answers to your questions...


1. How long have you been having hand pain?

I started having swelling and tightness in the hands in 2005. I had the surgery for trigger finger in the left thumb in 2006. I had the same surgery in the right thumb in 2007.



2. How old are you?

52


3. What do/did you do with your hands that led to something like trigger finger?

I don't know? I work with fast food so I use my hands a lot. That is all I can think of.



4. Do you have any other health issues? Or, how would you describe your health in general.

The only history of illness in the family is my grandmother died of Alzheimers Disease. I'm the only one with Arthritis.

My hands hurt most of the time. I have to take medication four times a day. My hands get so swollen and tight I can't make a fist. I have to take the medication before picking up the coffee pot in the morning.



5. What movements cause your wrist to hurt?

It's only the left wrist that I get the shooting pain. If I use the left hand to pick up a glass, button the button on a shirt, tie my shoe, just little things where the thumb comes out and it causes a shooting pain in the wrist.



6. What exact movement causes your thumb side to hurt?

Moving the thumb away from the hand or twist the wrist like when you tuck your shirt into your pants. If I use that hand I get the shooting pain.



7. Do other movements cause pain?

Those are the kind of movements that cause the shooting pain.



8. Do you have pain when your hands are at rest/not moving?

Yes they hurt and that is why I take the medication four times a day. Sometimes it wakes me up at night. These are not shooting pains in the fingers!



9. Describe your osteoarthritis.

I only have the arthritis in my hands. I've been tested and don't have RA. I like working, but I don't know how much longer I can deal with the pain. I had to quit one of my jobs because of it.


I first notice the swelling and tightness in 2005.

Thank you
Happi


May 06, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
PART 3 -- Post-surgery Trigger Finger, And Shooting Pain On The Thumb Side Of The Wrist
by: Happi

Hi Joshua,

I've had the swelling and tightness in the joints of my hands since 2005. Surgery for trigger finger for the left thumb was in 2006. Same surgery for the right thumb was in 2007.

The only thing I can think of that led to trigger finger is I use my hands a lot. My job is fast food.

As far as other health issues besides my hands my knees bother me a little if I go up or down stairs.

I get the shooting pain ONLY on the left wrist and ONLY on the thumb side of that wrist.

As far as movement I get shooting pain from slight movement like buttoning a button, tieing a shoe string, picking up a glass, Anything where the thumb has to move out.

I have Osteoarthritis. I mentioned since 2005. Now they hurt most of the time. I take medication four times a day. It helps some. Some days are better than others.

I also feel a numbness once in a while in my hands mostly wakes me up. Only in my hands.

----

Joshua Answers:

Thanks Happi.

Let me think about this today and tomorrow, and I'll do a response then once I see the best avenues for you.


Joshua


Feb 15, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Post Surgery Pain in 2 fingers
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I had a surgery 2 months ago on 2 fingers.

I still have a lot of pain and swelling on the 2 fingers. In mornings my fingers are very swollen too.

I don't know what to do.

sk


----


Joshua Comments:

Hi SK.

Ice Dip as described on the How To Reduce Inflammation page.

Make sure to read and understand the Trigger Finger page.

Supplement with B6, as deficiency of it (among other nutrients) widely points to the development of trigger finger.




Click here to add your own comments

Return to Ask The Tendonitis Expert .