Get a grip

[Grumpy John]

For quite a fiew months now I've been waking up with severe pain in my left hand, so much so that I cannot make a fist. The only thing that gives any relief is to soak the hand in hot water, or hold it over the toaster while the toast is cooking. The pain lessens during the day but there is always a dull ache in the hand.
I took myself off to the doctor who arranged for X-Rays and an appointment with a hand specialist. I tried to scan the X-Rays so I could post them here but no luck, you'll have to make do with the report :D

Left Hand

History: Pain FI.

Findings:
Mild to moderate degenerative change affects the DIPJ's of the fingers. Minimal degenerative changes affect the PIPJ's of the fingers and the IPJ of the thumb.
Moderate degeneration of the STT and 1st carpometacarpal joint noted.
No evidence of an erosive arthritis.
Irregularity of the radial styloid tip is seen, likely to be the result of old trauma.
Thank you for referring this patient.

It seems that 35 years of using my hand as a hammer has caught up with me, there are bits of chipped bone floating around my thumb joint. Also there is damage to my middle finger from when it got caught up in a horses headgear when it was rearing. All in all my hand is a bit of a mess and the therapist has it in a splint for six weeks, so no turning for me till next year :((.


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BTW, it's not easy taking pictures of your own hand :rolleyes:.

[specialist]

AARGH!!!!! How will you cope? No turning for six weeks?

Oh well, I guess that if it fixes the problem, it will be worth it. I hope it goes well.

Robert

[Oddjob1]

Hi John,

are you left handed as I am? Bugger if you are!
As we get a bit older like me and you, anything we have done in the past catches up with us. I had an injury to my Achilles tendon some time ago that seemed as though it was going to be the end of my Olympic chances. I went on the net and read up on my issue, I proceeded with massages and the like and today after believing I was ready for the scrap heap I find my issue has completely repaired itself! Nature will get around to us old blokes in good time, just keep a sense of humour mate! It is the thing that we live for hey!

Cheers...Oddjob1:D Oh, PS, Get a hammer and stay away from horses!

[Sturdee]

Sorry to hear that John, but if it's okay after 6 weeks it's not too bad.

Meanwhile do lots of reading and watch some instructional DVD's to pass the time.


Peter.

[Ad de Crom]

John, nice so nice huh.
Looks a bit of what my wife has, she has rheumatic for a long time, with sometimes the same feeling in her hands and wrists.
Sometimes unable to do household, than a sign for me to take it over.
This feeling depends on the type of weather we have here, now we have a dry freezing cold weather type, perfect for her, the same with very hot weather in the summer.
But dampy weather is the wrong-doer.....)))
Hope they figure out soon what is wrong with this feeling in your hand.
Ad

[rsser]

That's a bugger John, and best wishes for your recovery.

The trouble with damaged joints is that using them leads to inflammation, swelling and/or stiffness; ie. one form of arthritis.

So short of a miracle, you are looking at managing how you use your hand carefully from here on.

But talk to your quack about new arthroscopic options. 'scopes are now being made that will allow an orthopod to get in and take a look at options for fragment clean-up and joint resections in his or her surgery.

One tip for the splint in the coming warm weather: buy a pair of pure cotton long socks, cut the calf section off and wear it under the splint if it'll fit. I found this much more comfortable when my paw was in one of those thermoplastic hand-cuffs.

Good luck mate.

[rsser]

Correction to the tip: cut a small section out of the heel to match your thumb; then trim back from the toe to suit.

[The Bleeder]

John,

What Ern said with the cotton sock. It reduces the sweat itch you get. I also used Chux between the cotton sock and the splint.

Hope all goes well for you.

[tea lady]

:oo: Jeez! That will keep you out of the shed for a while! :C Best follow the docs advice! Maybe get a few good books from the library! Nice long ones! :cool: