Dr. Sandeep Singh
Orthopedician and Traumatology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have two issues. I broke my finger three months ago, and it healed. However, I cannot bend it as it is swollen and hurts when I try to bend it. I feel like something is restricting, like fluid around my joints possibly. Also, I may have some nerve damage because when I touch smooth things, they feel rough.
I have had lower back pain that is debilitating when I walk, go up or downstairs, and sometimes when I try standing from a sitting position. Two years ago, I was told that I might have sciatica due to the pain radiating down my leg. I also wonder if it may be fibromyalgia-related because when he touched my back, it seemed my skin was sensitive to his touch as I could still feel pressure pain from him checking my back. My skin is sensitive to small pressure touch. I have a history of pinched nerves that cause tingling in my arm and fingertips. Please help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Stiffness after finger fracture is very common and can persist if it is not addressed. Could you please share the images so that I can suggest a physio plan for you? It could be fibromyalgia, as it can cause pain in multiple places and again needs proper assessment. Do get in touch to discuss further to help you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
It is my right index finger. They did take an x-ray and it shows no fracture. But they have referred me to sports medicine which cannot get me in for another few weeks. I play piano so it is tough playing with nine fingers. I try to do online exercises to loosen it up but even after a week of doing them, it was the same.
Hi,
Welcome back to iclniq.com.
Thanks for sharing images (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It seems that the finger is a bit bent and not exactly straight. That is not a concern for most people, but it can be troublesome for someone who plays the piano. You have to keep on doing the exercises to take up to three months for full functional recovery. The important thing is to not add to the stiffness. Would you be able to share x rays images? What exercises are you doing now?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
The doctor did not share the x-rays with me. He called me and gave me the results over the phone. He also had bloodwork done to rule out arthritis and inflammation. Nothing came back out of the ordinary.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The issue with fibromyalgia is that most of the routine arthritis checks and inflammatory markers are normal. It is a clinical diagnosis. The exercises seem adequate for now. The point to emphasize here is that there should be a general trend of improvement over the following weeks. We have a window period of a few more months to get you back to normal. If you are in pain post-physiotherapy, take an Ibuprofen (if you are not allergic). Local heat to the finger before physiotherapy generally makes the process a bit more comfortable. However, the take-home message is that it can take up to six months after a hand fracture to feel normal again. Keep working hard, and it will be normal in that time. Do let me know if I can help in any way.
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Orthopedician and Traumatology
Orthopedician and Traumatology
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