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Hurt wrist, hand, and thumb

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Posted 8/2/2008 3:07 AM (GMT 0)

I fell in the shower nine weeks ago and my wrist, hand, and thumb are still sore. I fell on an outstretched hand. I got soap in my eyes and as I tried to turn around I slipped while I had both hands on the wall. My right one in back of me and my left on the side of me and as I fell, both hands went all the way down until I reached the tub surround. The pain immediately begun and it was awful. Do you think it might be more than just a sprain? The pain is also in the Scaphoid area.

I got it checked out and they diagnosed me as a sprained wrist and hand. But it is still sore, swollen, and bruised, so I got a referral to Orthopedics. It is swollen on the palm side of my hand where the thumb is and near the wrist and there is a bump also on one of my thumb bones.

This was because when I got surgery on my ankle in April, a few weeks later, I tried to take a shower and not put alot of weight on my ankle and that is how I fell. As I turned around I slipped.

Any thoughts of what it might be? Thanks in advance.
Cass

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Posted 8/2/2008 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Cass,
Welcome to the HW forum for chronic pain. It sounds like you had an X-ray since you said it was checked out, and that would rule out any broken bones, but sprains can be even worse than a break. I don't know if they gave you instructions about activity, or put you in any kind of a splint or supportive device. I think it's good you're going to an orthopod. but make sure they deal with hands and wrists. I would try to take it easy on that hand until yoru appointment. Also don't know if you used any ice/heat. I don't know what it might be because it could be a lot of things. I'm not a doc so can only suggest you follow any first aid instructions, and take care of the hand/wrist. If you've been using it (I know, hard not to!) you may be aggravating the injury and the swelling continues. I'd alternate some ice and heat and see if that helps a bit.

PaLady
Posted 8/2/2008 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
hi Cass: Welcome !! sounds to me like you need to see a Orthopedic Board Certified Hand Surgeon ( Does nothing but hands and wrists ) Perhaps a MRI, regular xrays do not show anything but a clear fracture to me they are a waste of time soon everyone will be mri-ed instead of xrays. take care and best of luck
Posted 9/18/2008 4:08 PM (GMT 0)

My left hand, wrist, and thumb are still sore from when I fell in the shower on the outstretched hand.  It has been four months and it is still swollen and sore.  I got referred to a hand specialist and hopefully he can find out what is wrong.  The x-ray showed a possible hairline fracture when I went to the doctors a couple months ago, so the Orthopedist can verify that.  What I don't understand is why it is still sore and not healing?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

Cass


Posted 9/18/2008 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome.

Sorry but I'm confused here; first you talk about 9 weeks then about 4 months, which is it. A serious sprain is often worse than a fracture as PALady pointed out. I'd give it at least 3 months. Apart from the pain and the swelling, you should keep your motority and strength in mind. If these are still OK (or almost OK), try for pacience before doing anything rash. Seeing additional specialists can't hurt of course but don't let them rush you into the OR for what could well be just a sprained wrist.

Hang in there kiddo.
Posted 9/18/2008 6:40 PM (GMT 0)

I did hurt it back in May.  When I posted here to get some advice, I posted it a few months ago.  As the pain didn't go away, I am up to four months where it is sore and not healing so I wanted to get some more advice.  Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks for replying!

Cass


Post Edited (cass) : 9/18/2008 12:44:51 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/19/2008 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
My mistake, sorry.
Posted 9/23/2008 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for replying. I went to a hand specialist and got a cortisone shot. He said if that doesn't work than I will need surgery. The cortisone shot made the pain worse and I can hardly move my wrist and hand so I will call the surgeon soon and schedule the surgery. My diagnosis: I have a hairline fracture and a partially torn ligament. I also have clicking in my wrist when I move it. The doctor said that it is from the torn ligament.

Cass

Post Edited (cass) : 9/23/2008 8:39:44 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/23/2008 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Where did they do the injection Cass?
Posted 9/23/2008 8:23 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for replying.  They did the injection on the top of my wrist near my hand.  Will the Cortisone shot help heal the torn ligament and the hairline fracture?  I may have to get surgery if that is the only thing that can be done.

Cass

Posted 9/24/2008 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm confused about cortisone so I can't answer your question... the reason I asked was because I am contimplating an injection in Oct when I go back to see my ortho... but, he will only do one and he wants to do the injection at my elbow - it didn't help you eh? That's frustrating :(
Posted 9/24/2008 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I know I will need surgery but what I don't understand is why the doctor gave me a Cortisone shot if it doesn't repair anything?

Cass

Posted 9/24/2008 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
i thinks it to relieve pain...? not sure someone else might be able to help with that answer
Posted 9/24/2008 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
The cortisone may help decrease infammation, which is often the cause of some of the pain. I've had tons of them, mostly in my spine, but the ones that actually worked were the one I had to my hands for trigger fingers (lingaments click and you have difficulty straightening a finger). The injections in my hands were horribly painfu but after the third one (a couple of months in between injections) the trigger finger calmed down. So you may need to give it some time. Some ice shortly after the injection can help, and make sure you're not using/moving your hand/wrist in ways that keep aggravating the injury. A good hand physical therapist can help with that.

PaLady
Posted 9/25/2008 12:25 AM (GMT 0)

I have another question. I am sorry that I am not understanding the Cotisone shot still.  It is my first one and I have not gotton any before that.  My diagnosis is: hairline fracture and a partially torn ligament.  My doctor suggested surgery but is surgery the only way to repair the ligaments and the fracture?  I know that the Cortisone shot will help with the inflamation (in my case it didn't work) but it won't take care of the torn ligament and the fracture right?  So, why did he give me that Cortisone shot if I will need surgery anyway?

Cass

Posted 9/25/2008 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Cass,
I honestly don't know the answer to that. I think you have to ask your doctor. Some ligaments can be repaired, but I think it's always tricky. I don't know what your options truly are. When I took a bad fall a few years ago, I tore the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in my knee, but it was only a slight tear and the orthopoedist said he wouldn't do surgery to repair it unless the knee started giving me serious problems.

I just think you need to call your doctor's office and ask.

PaLady
Posted 9/25/2008 5:54 AM (GMT 0)
Cass, can I make a suggestion? Give the cortisone shot a couple of days to see if it makes any changes. I just had my first one (in the right shoulder) and the first 3-4 days were miserable. It hurt so much worse than it did before the shot. But once that went away it's been amazingly better. I'm not suggesting that you wait more than 4 days total though. I'm only saying it cause I was scared right after I got mine cause I thought that something had gone wrong since it hurt so much more than before the injection.

And I would follow PAlady's advice to give a ring and see what they can tell you about what their expectation was with giving that injection. If the cortisone helps it may have been as simple as to just buy you some time before they HAVE to do surgery.
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