Hand problems, pain and other issues.

[meggy.nut]

Thanks gila.
The physical therapist I'm seeing is not helpful and has no knowledge of HMS, and doesn't seem to be interested in figuring out why a particular body part hurts/tingles/locks. Mine seems a lot like the therapist you mentioned in your last paragraph.

Fortunately, I see my shoulder orthopedist on Wednesday, and hopefully he'll be able to take a look.

[madmum]

I have now been told wrist not fractred but due to hms and spraining my wrist the ligaments are too lax and allowing bones to move causing bones to click and cause swelling and severe pain. Physio is recommendation. Anyone come across this?

[madmum]

Previously injured wrist is swollen around the thumb and the first finger and very painful. Tried crepe bandage,tubigrip, wrist splint(futura) and combinations but no change. Cannot take nsaids. Anyone any suggestions?

[Chloe♥]

Ice? Topical NSAID gels?

[madmum]

Ice brings temporary relief but with weather cannot use for long as so cold anyway. Cannot use topical brufen as allergic to contact as well. Tried two others that make no difference. Waiting for physio,seeing consultant on 5th jan(no doubt second will come first!).

[Stone]

Soaking in warm water has worked for me. Maybe alternating between different methods would help more?

Doesn't help now but splinting for known-bad activities can reduce your symptoms afterwards - maybe try being a bit more proactive with it?

Stone

[madmum]

I was told not to use a splint but find i have to when doing housework and definately in bed. Today the orthotist saw my hand is swollen. I will try alternating heat and cold.

[Fiona-Jane]

i few years ago i was told to not wear a splint on my left hand but the joints are so unstable it was dislocating whenever i used it. so i eventully completely stopped using it. i then managed to pursuade the hand unit people to make me a brace (out of thermoplastic) and now my hand and arm are much healthier! i'm slowly building the muscle strength back up but it'll take a long time.


so in my case it was a great idea to brace the joint as i am now able to use the hand more often and i'm able to do my hand physio better as my wrist is no longer permanently sprained. took a while to get used to the lack of mobility in the wrist due to the brace but that's a small price to pay for a better functioning hand and arm!


fi xx

[madmum]

Thanks. I am using mine when busy as the clicking and pain are too much otherwise. I find it easier with support or i tend not to use it(difficult when the left hand is using the crutch). It swelled massively last night and is still swollen. I was told before i have arthritis in that thumb but not sure what to believe anymore as it is the same hospital disputing the injury.

[madmum]

Does anyone know if you can put knuckles out? One of mine popped out last night and was at an odd angle. I got it back after about 20mins but it throbbed and ached for hours(it is still sore now). What is best way to support it? It is the same hand as i have the problem wrist.

[nemonie]

Yep - a knuckle is simply a finger joint. Some people wear ring splints to help with this, there is a separate thread for that.

[madmum]

Thanks for that,will speak to orthobod on wednesday to see if he can help.

[nemonie]

It is often easier to relocate them if you pull the finger gently away from the hand and wiggle it around (gently) until it goes back into position.

[notsparklynow]

Hi guys

this is going to sound really daft, but how can i tell if i have subluxed? Two or three times tonight i have had problems with fingers "twanging" when i have picked something up the wrong way. the worst is my right thumb - it really hurt after it twanged but is in normal position now. I have never dislocated anything (touch wood) although I have had sprains in the past. so is this likely to be a subluxation or just a ligament twanging against the bones? one was a bone in the middle of my left hand, not in the fingers.
i've put my wrist splints on to see if tthey help, but although they help to immobilise the wrists, they dont help the fingers. they do reduce bending my thumb downwards the wrong way but i am concerned about hyperextending the other joints.
I don't see an OT, just a physio. Should i ask for referrral to a hand OT? Who would i need to ask?

thanks

BTW sorry for typing errors, harder to type with my splints on

[Stone]

Basically just from experience For me, if something comes out and goes back in it's mostly accompanied by the click/crunch/thump (usually with achy pain afterwards), whereas if something goes twang it's more of a sharp nerve-type pain that makes you gasp and swear - or at least it does for me!

Treatment for both is the same - stop what you're doing for a moment, give it a rub, consider changing activities or having a tea break. Washing my hands in hot-as-I-can-stand water helps sometimes. See if you can do things differently to avoid making it go ping - you're right that adding a splint and carrying on will just shift the problem elsewhere

My hand therapy came from a referral by the UCHL clinic - but you should be able to ask without anyone exploding. Sadly when I moved from the main hand therapy people into the dressing clinic after my first hand surgery they had to discharge me, then when my hand was better and the dressing clinic discharged me I was left with neither! Make a fuss if that happens

Stone