How to deal with wrist and thumb pain after injury?

Question

Hello doctor,

Why have my wrist and thumb been hurting more frequently? Two years ago I fell on my thumb, hyperextending it and fracturing it in the process. Doctors that I have gone to said I have tendonitis in it now, and that is why it hurts in the first place, though no testing has been done to confirm it. It used to only hurt when I overused it in band and percussion and for some odd reason when it was about to storm.

Lately, though, it has been hurting more and more frequently enough to have begun interrupting my everyday life. I take anti-inflammatories prescribed to me regularly and a brace when it acts up. The brace is slightly lower than my wrist and extends up into my thumb so it will support the areas that need supporting. Is it just progressing into a worse form of tendonitis? Am I making it worse by playing the instruments? What do you think?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It can very well be tendonitis or some kind of arthritis secondary to damage. I think you should undergo an MRI of the lower forearm and hand to confirm the diagnosis of tendonitis and rule out other pathologies.

Regarding management, you may consider topical anti-inflammatory drugs like Diclofenac gel rather than oral drugs. You should avoid strenuous activity. A gradual-loading exercise program will be helpful.

These exercises can be taught to orthopedicians or physiotherapists.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.