kfeusse Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 in case you didn't read my previous thread.. Yesterday (mid-morning...out of the blue) My daughter 16, comes to me and says, "my arm hurts when I touch the tip of my index finger". Upon further investigating and asking her questions, it appears when she touches (and sometimes bends) her index finger of her right hand, there is a tightness starting at her wrist and then it hurts mid-way up her arm. From what I have read, this is not carpel tunnel, as there is no tingling or numbness. We were just at the doctor last week with a different hand issue (other hand, completely different deal), but they were no help at all. And that pain has since gone away. (although by the time we went to the doctor, it was the 3rd time the pain had come...and then gone) And my daughter has something called "swan neck deformity" in 6 of her fingers. So I am now beginning to wonder if all of this is connected some how. Any thoughts for me?? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 (edited) I know nothing but the googlefu looks like you would want a rheumatologist or PT or some medical care for whatever is causing the swan neck symptoms. Yes, sounds like it might be connected. And if it's progressing, again I'd want to know the underlying cause. Swan Neck Deformity Doctor Los Angeles, Swan Neck Deformity Doctor, Swan Neck Deformity Surgery Edited February 8, 2017 by OhElizabeth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 we have had medical care for the swan neck issue...she wears special rings on her fingers to help her with that. But, yeah...I am really beginning to wonder whether all of this is related somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 And they've tested for RA? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 no, they haven't. I am making an appointment with a hand specialist....is that something I should request? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Read the article I linked. I mean, I'm not trying to be morbid or medical here, but if the most common cause of Swan is RA (rheumatoid arthritis), then it seems to me like you want a rheumatologist or at least someone who will screen her for RA. That's what I meant by root causes. But maybe your hand specialist does that? You could ask them flat up. That way you don't wait months for a person who won't do what you need. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 wow...yes, that is exactly what she has...but RA? She is 16 years old. I will investigate this more. thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 (edited) Ehlers-Danlos is another cause of swan neck. I'm surprised the doctor who treated her fingers didn't investigate the cause. Edited February 8, 2017 by zoobie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 I don't think this is her issue. The arthritis sounds more like it...since the "other" hand issue she had was some pain in the area between her thumb and first finger (on the other hand than this times issue)....RA is hereditary, yes? I am quite certain there are family members who have it. I am going to ask right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I'm also horrified that the swan neck deformity wasn't investigated--I'd also want a rule out of RA, Ehler-Danlos, and Marfans. Honestly, when the swan neck happens with RA, the pain/swelling in the PIP and DIP joints would've been noticeable enough that it would've been a big deal as it happened, iykwim. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 I don't think Marfins is her deal either..the symptoms don't seem to match up. RA seems more likely. But, I am not thinking anyway that I want to dig deeper into this..thanks for giving me these ideas for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 as I am thinking about this though...the pain isn't in her hand...it's in her arm...but it's connected to her hand...and her joints don't ache...I don't know. weird. I am hoping we can get to the bottom of this when we see the doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Is it the underside of her forearm or the top of her forearm? I've had muscle strain on the underside that ached when my fingers were touched. It happened when I had golfer's elbow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 underside. hmm...can you get golfer's elbow from sewing or playing the organ? Those are her 2 main activities that she does with her hands. other than writing for school of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 NEPM--a few things you should know about RA if you are new to researching it: 1. You can be sero-negative for RA early on (or about 1/3 of people are seri-negative for RF factor the whole way through). It is not the "defining" thing for whether or not you have RA. A lot of primary care doctors seem to think it is. :confused1: 2. She needs to have x-rays of her hands if they haven't been done before AND a full set of labs (sed rate, cRP, etc.). This is really the realm of a rheumatologist, and they are in short enough supply that it usually takes a few months to get in to. 3. Splints support joints, but they don't reverse damage. The whole point of RA treatment is not only to relieve pain to to prevent joint damage. You need to address the underlying reason that damage is occurring. (And if you haven't read a whole lot on swan neck deformity, this is one of the better explanations I've come across: http://www.houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics/where-does-it-hurt/hand/swan-neck-deformity/).Some in my acquaintance have had multiple joint replacements AND are still wearing figure 8 braces with new damage occurring because they haven't addressed their RA. 4. A good rheumatologist will be doing full joint counts at every visit. They will not only have her go through all of the flexion exercises, they will manipulate each DIP and PIP in her finger to feel for swelling and they will track things over time as RA tends to ebb and flow. They will push on pressure points on her arms, shoulders, legs and they will give her a long questionnaire on how she is functioning in daily life. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 underside. hmm...can you get golfer's elbow from sewing or playing the organ? Those are her 2 main activities that she does with her hands. other than writing for school of course... Playing the organ might affect those muscles. I know using the computer keyboard and mouse added to my pain at that time. It could be worth paying attention to how affected she is before and after an organ practice session. It wouldn't have to affect the elbow itself to affect the forearm muscles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 You've gotten some good advice from the others. I will add this: Don't bother with your general practitioner for this. Deal with a rheumatologist and an orthopedic specialist who is familiar with EDS and joint laxity issues. Not all specialists are familiar with these, so be aggressive in asking. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 no, they haven't. I am making an appointment with a hand specialist....is that something I should request? I was tested for juvenile RA at 16 (11th grade) at a hospital's RA clinic. They also did X-rays of my knee joints because my knees can't straighten as much as typical for a teen. I have a mallet finger since I was very young (before school age) and that didn't raise any concern. I was seen by a rheumatologist who has experience in juvenile RA. Some rheumatologist at that clinic only sees seniors and won't be familiar with juvenile RA.When I had a full blood count at 21 for some other medical issues, they test for RA again just to be sure. 1. You can be sero-negative for RA early on (or about 1/3 of people are seri-negative for RF factor the whole way through). It is not the "defining" thing for whether or not you have RA. A lot of primary care doctors seem to think it is. :confused1:My mom's RA test was negative until two years after symptoms. Her rheumatologist was well aware of sero-negative results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.