Have had arthritis in my left thumb for a few months; GP offered no treatment or advice.
So, i bought a thumb brace which makes it a bit more comfortable.
Two days ago, i awoke with a “clicking thumb” on my right hand, which i believe is known as “ trigger thumb”.
Any advice on treatment etc.
GP not available, just phone with nurse.
Quote: Originally posted by jsparkes201148 on 18/8/2020
Have had arthritis in my left thumb for a few months; GP offered no treatment or advice.
So, i bought a thumb brace which makes it a bit more comfortable.
Two days ago, i awoke with a “clicking thumb” on my right hand, which i believe is known as “ trigger thumb”.
Any advice on treatment etc.
GP not available, just phone with nurse.
I dislocated both of my thumbs when I was a young man playing rugby, about two years ago, I was 60, I started to get that terrible arthritis pain in my left thumb joint. Here we go I thought, thats the expected arthritis now for the rest of my days.
After months of daily pain........It just went! I am now totally pain free, I don’t know why, it just happened. So fingers crossed, deliberate pun, let’s hope the same happens to you. 👍👍
Info on the official NHS website.
Not been done lots of scrolling on a tablet by any chance? There are some Repetitive Stress Injuries RSIs caused by computer mice & iPad thumb etc according to my physio.
I had an episode of trigger thumb not long before COVID. My doctor referred me to the hand clinic at our local hospital. Apparently it's caused when the ligaments in the thumb swelling so they can't get through the little tunnels easily enough. I had a couple of wax hands baths which was effective but short lived. They suggested rubbing Ibuprofen gel into and around the base of the thumb. It did eventually go but I still get very still hands from time to time. What I used to find is that when I was having a shower it would ease a lot but start clicking again once out of the hot water. Arthritic gloves might also be helpful as they retain heat in the hands. I did try wearing them in bed but I couldn't cope with that!!!
Thanks,
Mike i hope that mine disappears too.
Fiona, interesting point that, i tend to use a finger rater than a thumb.
David i will looK into the gloves.
I work in the hand unit (only as a secretary!) at our local hospital and we get a lot of these. Or at least we did until COVID, when all elective patients were cancelled or put on hold. Your GP surgery sounds a bit useless, you really need a proper face to face examination so the doctor can make a referral to a hand surgeon, though they may not unless they think it sufficiently advanced to warrant this, and will probably prescribe painkillers to start with until it gets really bad. A surgeon could inject it, or do a release, the problem being that during these times the waiting lists for elective surgery will be horrendous due to a backlog of elective patients so they will probably refer you for hand therapy to hold off surgery as long as possible. Not much help but that's what usually happens!
Thanks Donething
My GP is very laid back and does not exude confidence.
When I saw him re the painful thumb, he said it’s arthritis, nothing to be done. Just take painkillers.
I can get an appiontment with a nurse practitioner, or if you are mortally ill it is possible to book a phone call with a doctor.
Quote: Originally posted by jsparkes201148 on 19/8/2020
Thanks Donething
My GP is very laid back and does not exude confidence.
When I saw him re the painful thumb, he said it’s arthritis, nothing to be done. Just take painkillers.
I can get an appiontment with a nurse practitioner, or if you are mortally ill it is possible to book a phone call with a doctor.
time for you to change your docs then? which practise is it? seeing as im local to you
Quote: Originally posted by jsparkes201148 on 19/8/2020
Thanks Donething
My GP is very laid back and does not exude confidence.
When I saw him re the painful thumb, he said it’s arthritis, nothing to be done. Just take painkillers.
I can get an appiontment with a nurse practitioner, or if you are mortally ill it is possible to book a phone call with a doctor.
You may find that if you are persistent with the doctor they will take more action. I imagine if you are a GP you see lots of people with relatively minor complaints and they probably work on the basis that if its really serious the patient will come back. In fairness a lot of minor complaints can be improved by over the counter painkillers so you have to give that a try.Surgery is a possibility but surely the last result?
Gloves coming tiday, so will give them a try.
I have a really,good thumb/wrist brace, but it is too cumbersome to wear in bed.
At the moment, the pain is not the issue. I am more concerned about it developing into something more serious.
The triage at the GP surgery is like Fort Knox.
Quote: Originally posted by jsparkes201148 on 20/8/2020
Gloves coming tiday, so will give them a try.
I have a really,good thumb/wrist brace, but it is too cumbersome to wear in bed.
At the moment, the pain is not the issue. I am more concerned about it developing into something more serious.
The triage at the GP surgery is like Fort Knox.
The hospital gave me a brace. Clever bit of plastic which prevented me bending the thumb. I had to wear it at night. The idea being the the thumb didn't get stuck in the bent position. The thumb felt very stiff the next morning!
Hi,
I’ve had surgery on 3 fingers on my right hand for triggering after several failed steroid injections, this has worked. My thumb started as well, really quite badly & very painful, but due to lockdown I was unable to access any treatment. However, at present🤞It has settled down on its own!
Fiona
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Topic: Thumb arthritis and trigger thumb.
via mobile 18/8/2020 at 6:07pm
