Was wondering if anyone has ever had this problem: last year I fell and hit my right hand. Thought I broke my little finger, but xray said no. Months later my finger still hurt and now is getting all bent. The last couple of months the two fingers next to the little one has been hurting. It pains me to just open and close my hand, aches all the time. I can not pick up anything with any weight because of the pain, sometimes not even my drink. I am right handed so this is slowing down my sewing. Anyone have any ideas? I do have appt. with rheum. doc, but not till July.

I would seek an earlier appointment. Tell them you will take the first cancellation; this sounds like it needs looking after.

Boy I know how bad pain in your hand can be. Good luck at the doc. will be parying for you. keep us post on with you find out in July. "I'm not sure I could went until July."

That is almost exactly how my RA started, but in my ankle. I was diagnosed five years ago and since then it has spread all the way up my right side across my neck and has begun it's downward journey on the left side. You might only have Osteoarthritis, but I would definitely try to get an earlier appointment, and be prepared to have a TB test, xrays and bloodwork out the wazoo!!

I agree with Murphy and am sorry to hear this :(

Oh no.....that sounds really scarey to me dear...good luck getting into the Drs. to check it out!

Thanks all, yes it is scary, I'm worried it will be something permanent. In the mornings when I wake my hand is all stiff and it takes about 30 minutes before I can even move it. July is the earliest I could get a new patient appt. but the nurse said she would call if something earlier came up. Unfortunately I live about 50 minutes away so it could not be a last minute thing where I rush in. Would need travel time. Until then I will keep trying to ignore the pain and keep on quilting.

go to your Doctor and have it checked. he may send you to a specialist if necessary. don't wait.

Sounds like RA. The morning thing is a real giveaway. You can take an over the counter NSAID like Aleve or Advil to help for now. Tylenol doesn't help with inflammation, only pain. NSAIDs like Aleve do both. Some people lie Ibuprophen, but it does nothing for me.

I sorry to hear you are having problems with your hand it sounds like you have a pinched nerve.

Sounds like the beginnings of either Osteo or RA. I have it in both my hands and can't straighten out the fingers on my right hand. Hurts like the devil at times but I take Celebrex which Dr. put me on and it really helps. OTC meds did nothing for me. Hope you get better soon.

My daughter injured her pinky several years ago while playing soccer. The pinky wasn't broken. It took months for it to heal, and it healed in a bent position. Tendons (or is it ligaments)were torn. That doesn't show up on an x-ray. The pinky should have been braced to prevent the bending, and exercised (like PT) to prevent it from 'freezing'. Similar thing might have happened to you.

There are other conditions that can cause pain in fingers besides arthritis, although arthritis is the one we hear most about.

I'll send a few prayers your way!

Have you tried a warm compress? If warmth doesn't help, try ice packs. You could also try a couple ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory pain reliever to see if that helps.

You need to see an Orthopedist. If you can, make it with someone who specializes in hands.

I would return to your doctor and ask him to check your shoulder area. Years ago I injured my shoulder and did not realize it but did complain that my pinky finger was numb. Could not pick up anything such as a cup of coffee without dropping the item.
After many doctors appointments they finally figured that I had some damage in the shoulder (right side and I am right handed too) Anyway, after a long process of theropy (I choose this way instead of surgery that the doctors wanted to preform) all is fine and the best part...no scars from surgery.
Do go back and perhaps a MRI may show something.
Good luck.

Carron, thanks for suggestion. I have noticed when I sew for long periods the right side of my neck has sort of a burning/numbness sensation. In fact, I mentioned to my sig. other today that I was wondering if there is a connection.

Yes, sounds like you did have soft tissue damage and you need some help from a doctor and a hand therapist. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

OK folks here it is from a retired Nurse Practitioner:

Go to your own private/personal care physician. [b] Have all your blood work done asap.[/b Based on the testing they will do, like repeat Xrays, and your lab work they may even start you on a medication before you are seen by the rheumatologist. Don't wait. You have a right to having the blood work and all done and then treatment started! And ... keep your records of everything. A spiral bound notebook is great for this as the pages won't fall out easily.

FYI: I had to retire because of the arthritis in my hands, 3 hand/finger surgeries, and the resulting neuropathy. Yes, I am not as speedy as I once was. But, I can still sew and quilt. I just don't do it as long at a time as I used to. I have adapted all my tools, cutting table, and even sewing machine [I had the needle threader removed as it kept hitting my index finger and making it bleed.] I only cut 1-2 layers of fabric at a time. I rotate the different parts of quilting so I usually have at least 3 projects going at once. I bought the computerized component for my HandiQuilter. I jury rigged the side clamps on the HQ so I could work them.

I definitely don't let anyone shake my hands and touch my fingers. I get in there first so they shake my palm. At prayer group time someone on either side holds my wrists.

As I sew less ... well, I read more, walk more, and browse the QB more.

It is all do-able.

ali

Thank you Allie. I am checking with my primary again and will go from there. I too will never give up quilting, I don't care how many adjustments are needed. I have been sewing all day today to finish up a project. Yes, it hurts like the dickens, I just try to ignore it and I am getting good at doing some things left handed.

Did something similar... fell on right arm... no x-ray because of no ins. a YEAR later, I went to the chiropractor and he said I had jammed my finger as well as my elbow... put them back in place and have had little problem... finger still locks and is painful but he did say because of waiting so long, arthritis had set in :(

I soak in hot water while reading the QB to start the day without stiff fingers.

You may have injured some tendons. See a Dr. right away.

I screwed up my hand this past winter and had to go to Walley World and get a wrist brace for carpal tunnel. When I do wear it :shock: it does help.

Pain is no fun wherever it is in your body. I have osteo arthritis in both hands with my right one being severe in the thumb. a ruptured disc in my neck and level 4 arthritis in my right knee. I also have a problem with my lower back and have for many years now cannot do all I want to do. I agree with going back to primary because your symtoms have worsened and you cannot see the other one till July.

I have pain in my hands and arms from a pinched nerve in my neck at C4. If you landed on your hand to protect yourself from the fall you should have this checked out. Oh, that is how I got the pinched nerve, slipped on spilled floor wax, tried to break my fall by catching myself.

I broke my left wrist last May & developed reflex systemic dystonia in my left hand. I also had an ulna nerve injury & still have less feeling in the left pinkie & a burning sensation between the 4th & 5th fingers. Occupational therapy helped & now I do dishes by hand to keep my hand in the warm water & I 'exercise' the fingers as I do the dishes. Good luck.

I agree with earliest investigation + also check out a simple non-toxic joint cream made by Native peoples of the SW 0 www.medicineofthepeople.net
I use their 'Sore Joint Cream' - made with palm kernel oil and shea butter - it has had quite a surprisingly good effect on several painful joints, especially a knee - along with a lot of physiotherapy including life sentence home program.

Could be pinched nerves, stress fractures, mis-alignment, many things. Try to keep it im-mobile and see the Dr asap. Ask for any cancelations.

It could just be arthritis that is setting in after trauma. Don't think the worst until you get it checked again.

it sounds like the beginnings of osteo or RA. I would suggest like others have some sort of OTC NSAIDS to help with the inflammation that you are having and the pain also. I would also suggest that as soon as you wake up to do some gentle movements to get your muscles and tendons moving. I would also suggest that you may want to soak your hand in some warm water or maybe get the warm wax therapy that you can get in WalMart. My mom has one it sure does make your hands and even feet feel wonderful. You would leave the wax on until it starts to cool. You would be able to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with your newspaper or Bible in the early morning. Hope these suggestions will help you out until you are able to get in to see your doctor. Hugs and prayers sent your way. Jennifer

it could be fibromyalgia which can feel like broken bones or severe arthritis

I agree, don't wait as you might be doing permanent damage to nerves! Get in ASAP.

Gee Whiz, I would push to be seen sooner. Tell them you are in much pain and just have to get something done NOW. Is there another Dr. you could try?

I do too! Didn't slip on floor wax, but was playing paintball, dropped and rolled just wrong and now have persistent pinching in my neck that makes my arm hurt and my hand go numb without warning - justlikethat. My dr is also a licensed chiropracter (God love'im!) so I get worked on about once a month, and was prescribed a neck and shoulders massage once a month. It helps tremendously. Mass doses of ibuprofen in between as needed.

I agree, let the doctors office know that it is getting worse and that you would like to be put on their cancellation list. Sounds like that needs to be looked at soon before it progresses beyond simple treatment. Good luck.

Have you thought about a chiropractor? If the x-ray said no broken bone, that would be my next stop. & I'll bet you can get in faster. I can't tell you how much help I get for all sorts of odd things not to mention carpel tunnel.
Jennie

I'm having this problem right now with my middle finger. I went to the Dr who sent me to occupational therapy. They determined it is a pinched nerve causing the trouble. They also put an anti-inflammatory patch on it that has a little battery pack attached to it (like a big band aid with a watch battery. It helps take the pain away until it all heals.

I have RA among many other autoimmune diseases so understand the pain, etc. While waiting for doc appt, use some capzaican, not sure of the spelling but it will be next to sports creme, etc at the drug store. It really helps a lot because its' base is cayenne pepper. This pepper gets into the joints and helps to rid your spot of the pain and helps with the swelling. I have used it for years and believe me, it works. Don't rub a lot or you won't be a happy camper, pepper ya know, lol. Hope all this makes sense to you, spelling brain cells have gone on vacation today, lol. Also, 20 minutes warm, 20 minutes cold switching helps and then there are pain patches at the drug/grocery store that work wonders too. I have tried a lot of things and was lucky to find a few things that work. I even use a bag of frozen corn or peas for the cold compress. Works great. Hope some of this will make life easier for you till your appt.

praying for a positive outcome. Sounds so painful. I have torn rotator cuff and pec muscle with a jagged bone tearing the tissue so I understand the pain. Dr. has me using ice when swollen and heat for pain relief. I thought I should do it when I wanted to. After further discussions and research I learned ice & heat are really very helpful but need to be done 2 -3 times a day along with medication for the inflammation. I would expect a family dr. could help you get going on some of this while waiting to see the specialist. Family dr. might order x rays now to rule several possibilites then make xrays availabe to the specialist. Need to get working on this ASAP. Waiting can lead to further issues in some cases. Praying for pain relief, also.

I fell in Feb. didn't think I hurt myself, but my hand really started hurting and after a couple weeks had it x-rayed. It wasn't broken but they did call it osteo something. It's better now, just took Ibuprophen, 800 mg. 2 times a day when it hurt. Then I started an excercise with just my hand. Spread them your fingers as wide as you can, then start with the baby fingers and touch your thumb, then the ring finger, middle finger and pointer. All touching your thumbs then spreading them wide open again. I saw this on an excercise program, and this was a hand specialist who showed this, so I do it when ever I think about it. My hands have been good since. It's a matter of stretching and keeping them stretched out. I may even try hand quilting again. That's how good they feel now. Haven't hand quilted in a very long time.