Joe A Shaw PA-C - 5/7/2008

Question
The other day, I was sorting some papers, keeping my hand and thumb in pretty much the same form for a long period of time, some of these papers were heavy.  I do this motion often as it is part of my job.  While sorting one stack, my thumb almost cramped up of sorts, all I know is there was a pain in my thumb, and I grabbed the papers out of my hand.  Ever since then, my thumb has been hurt.  I have a soreness on top of my bone, in the ares between my knuckles.  I pushed in on it at the base of my thumb, just above my bottom knuckle to massage it when it first happen and it shot pains through my hand and wrist.  This happened on Friday, so I tried not to use it most of the weekend, and it seemed to be getting better, but then once I started using it again, it is now back to hurting as it was before.  Any ideas of what I may have done?  Did I pull something?  Is there something I can do to make it stop hurting?

Answer
Cassie,
Sounds like a ligament sprain of the thumb...also if your tendon was in a fixed position then it might have strained it as well..some people will develop a little cyst or nodule on the tendon where it starts locking or clicking..this is called trigger finger or thumb..cortisone injection and or surgery for chronic cases that cause painful locking..if its a strain or sprain go with ice / heat soaks 10mins ice water then 5 mins warm water 2x day for a week and restrict use..also try pain relieving gel like biofreeze daily..may take weeks to get better..esp if you keep reaggravating it