Thumb pain. What kind of Dr?

[Plateau Mama]

I have been having pain in my thumb for a few weeks. When I wake up it doesn't really hurt but as the day goes on it gets worse. There is always pain when I bend the thumb, or when I try to grab something but as the day goes on my thumb just throbs. Some days it extends down my palm below the thumb and at its worst into my wrist. It is only my thumb, no other fingers.

 

Should I see my orthopedist? Or is there a better specialist? I haven't met my deductible yet this year so I'd rather just go straight to a Dr that can help vs seeing my general Dr who I know will refer me somewhere else.

[ktgrok]

You want an ortho that specializes in hands. They all tend to have their own specialties. Bigger ortho clinics will have doctors with different specialties. 

[zoobie]

Yes, hand specialist. Might be carpal tunnel or De Quervain's.

[Laurie]

I have arthritis in my thumb.  My doctor referred me to a hand therapist at a physical therapy place.   At the appointment, the therapist made a splint for me and showed me some exercises to do at home.  

https://www.asht.org/patients?

 

I'm sorry you're dealing with this.  I understand about the end of the day pain!  Have you tried using an ice pack to see if that helps?   Also,  if you don't already have some kitchen gadgets to help with opening jars, etc. you might want to get some. 

Good luck! 

[gardenmom5]

sounds like when I get tendonitis. if I back off, it can heal and get better.

 

for starters - I'd see a physical therapist.  your family doc can refer you to one. it can take quite awhile to get into an orthopod - so you could make an appointment, then see if it improves.

[Katy]

I think it sounds like carpal tunnel, but I'd probably start with a general doctor to verify.  You could also have high blood pressure or sugar, be developing psoriasis in your thumb nail, or have any number of other things. If you have a good GP, (s)he can refer you to the very best person in the correct field in your area.  Believe me, they've had to work with them all and get an informed opinion about who's good & who's a jerk in just a few years.

[Plateau Mama]

You want an ortho that specializes in hands. They all tend to have their own specialties. Bigger ortho clinics will have doctors with different specialties.

 

I have a large clinic I go to but my guy doesn't do hands. Guess I have to pick someone else.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I understand about the end of the day pain! Have you tried using an ice pack to see if that helps? Also, if you don't already have some kitchen gadgets to help with opening jars, etc. you might want to get some.

Good luck!

 

I have tried ice and it really helps, until I take the ice off.

sounds like when I get tendonitis. if I back off, it can heal and get better.

 

for starters - I'd see a physical therapist. your family doc can refer you to one. it can take quite awhile to get into an orthopod - so you could make an appointment, then see if it improves.

It feels like when I have tendonitis in my toe except for the fact that it spreads throughout the day, but maybe that's normal and I just don't see it in my toe?

I've tried backing off but it's my dominant hand. I tried to find a brace that would hold my thumb but I couldn't find one that would totally immobilize it.

I think it sounds like carpal tunnel, but I'd probably start with a general doctor to verify. You could also have high blood pressure or sugar, be developing psoriasis in your thumb nail, or have any number of other things. If you have a good GP, (s)he can refer you to the very best person in the correct field in your area. Believe me, they've had to work with them all and get an informed opinion about who's good & who's a jerk in just a few years.

I was thoroughly checked out by my naturopath in September. She specifically looked at my blood sugars. My blood pressure is very low. Always has been. I a very healthy. Eat very well. I was seen by my MD in November, again, no issues. Edited May 9, 2016 by Plateau Mama

[ktgrok]

Just call the office you normally go to and tell them that your thumb hurts and you need an appt with their hand guy. 

[EmilyGF]

I went to a PT that my mom loves and he did an amazing job. He knew exactly what was causing my pain and it was easier/cheaper than a doctor.

 

Emily

[Katy]

I have a large clinic I go to but my guy doesn't do hands. Guess I have to pick someone else. I have tried ice and it really helps, until I take the ice off. It feels like when I have tendonitis in my toe except for the fact that it spreads throughout the day, but maybe that's normal and I just don't see it in my toe?

I've tried backing off but it's my dominant hand. I tried to find a brace that would hold my thumb but I couldn't find one that would totally immobilize it. I was thoroughly checked out by my naturopath in September. She specifically looked at my blood sugars. My blood pressure is very low. Always has been. I a very healthy. Eat very well. I was seen by my MD in November, again, no issues.

 

Yeah, sounds like carpal tunnel.

[Plateau Mama]

I went to a PT that my mom loves and he did an amazing job. He knew exactly what was causing my pain and it was easier/cheaper than a doctor.

 

Emily

None of the PT's around here will see you w/o a referral. So I guess I will call in the am and make an appointment.

[Alte Veste Academy]

Try the Finkelstein test to see if it is De Quervain's. That is what I had a few months back, and was exactly as you describe. It definitely got worse as each day went on. At first I thought it was my thumb, but then the wrist was definitely involved. I bought this brace and it worked pretty well to keep the thumb immobilized as long as I wrapped the velcro tightly enough. It took a couple of months to heal, but it's fine now. 

Edited May 10, 2016 by Alte Veste Academy

[Plateau Mama]

Try the Finkelstein test to see if it is De Quervain's. That is what I had a few months back, and was exactly as you describe. It definitely got worse as each day went on. At first I thought it was my thumb, but then the wrist was definitely involved. I bought this brace and it worked pretty well to keep the thumb immobilized as long as I wrapped the velcro tightly enough. It took a couple of months to heal, but it's fine now.

When my wrist hurts it's either all the way across my wrist or down along the opposite side from my thumb. Never along the top like that diagram shows.

 

Dos that brace keep the thumb from bending at the first joint (doesn't look like it)? That is where it always hurts so I want to immobilze it and where the thumb attaches to the hand. I tried taping the thumb so I couldn't bend at the first joint but when I take the tape off it really hurts.

[Jan in SC]

I had gamekeeper's thumb from playing tennis and it hurt so much. Google and see if that matches your symptoms. The orthopedist gave me small brace and it felt better within a week, but I missed several weeks of tennis. Holy cow- that thumb really hurt!

[Plateau Mama]

Last night I was almost in tears by dinner and this morning I dropped (and broke) a bowl while doing dishes. I called as soon as they opened and have an apt early next week.

[Bluegoat]

If you don't know what it is I'd see a GP (which is the usual model here anyway.)  He or she might be able to deal with it, if it's common.  If it isn't, you are more likely to get sent to the right place than if you make a guess.

[Plateau Mama]

If you don't know what it is I'd see a GP (which is the usual model here anyway.) He or she might be able to deal with it, if it's common. If it isn't, you are more likely to get sent to the right place than if you make a guess.

I made an appointment with my orthopedic office. They have all the imaging equipment onsite and I was able to get an appointment early next week. My GP will try to schedule me out several weeks, if not months and he has to refer out all imaging. Usually it takes up all my day or I have to make another trip to town for the imaging.