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Posted 8/5/2013 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've been trying to work out why I have a clicking noise in my thumb lately. It's pain-free but every now and then the phlange joint in my thumb just does a click as if it was caught on something and then its freed itself. It's annoying rather than anything else.

I realised this morning that the Home Button on my smartphone is not working properly for last 4-5 months and sometimes i have to press it 5 or 6 times with my thumb to get a reaction. Could this be the source of my thumb issues - repetitive injury strain from Smartphone use!!!! You read how gamers can get RIS from overuse.

Anyone suffer from something like this or dx-ed their problems from overuse of a device or keyboard?

Thanks,

 

Posted 8/5/2013 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds as if you're developing a trigger thumb, which is related to repetitive use. I know people who text constantly are at risk for this. You might try cutting back to see if that helps. I had trigger fingers and thumbs develop after my rehab for shoulder surgery twice. There are a lot of activities in that rehab that involve pressure on the palms of the hands, and that caused my issues.
Posted 8/5/2013 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for that judy. i thought about trigger thumb alright but isnt that more at the base of the thumb...where the tendon lies....near the knuckle...my flapping or catching is more at the phlange...the nearest joint to the finger tip....this is the joint id bend for text and when fiddling with the touch-screen hence why i thought it was smart-phone related
Posted 8/5/2013 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Only thing I could compare this injury to was when I borrowed a relative's upright Bissel carpet cleaner. And had the bright idea to do the entire house all at once, along with the stairs and couches (because when you have one of these machines you just feel tempted to clean everything!).

Well, I had used my right wrist/hand for the trigger release and ended up nearly spraining my wrist. It was so painful and tender the next morning. I couldn't even blow dry my hair, nor pick up the coffee carafe. Just moving it was painful. Turns out I should have been trading off hands, who knew.

Become ambidextrous and go easy on your joints. My doctor said repetitive motion on something you normally do not operate will induce acute injuries.
Posted 8/5/2013 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I had two Trigger finger release surgeries. My catching hardly ever was at the base of the finger joints but rather the smaller joints.

Try not to use your thumb for a while or buy a thumb splint. Usually icing and rest will help tendon strain.
Posted 8/5/2013 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Red...did your surgeon / GI think the 2 trigger fingers were UC related? PA induced by UC maybe?
Posted 8/5/2013 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
No, I don't think so. I mentioned it to him but he didn't say much. Nor did my hand surgeon. I think mine is mostly from doing repetitious work such as typing, crafts (needlepoint) etc. Because I've also had tendinitis in my right thumb before the Trigger finger, had to wear a thumb brace for 3 months and I also have carpal tunnel.
Posted 8/7/2013 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
I really can't believe I'm reading this. I am in such terrible pain with my thumbs. The right hand is worse. It's exactly as you explained it. I call it IPhone thumb. I'm basically helpless right now. I think it's from when I'm on exercise bike for hour. I hold phone and constantly swipe with my poor thumb. I have an appointment next week and am hoping an injection will help me. At least now I know I'm not crazy!!!
Posted 8/7/2013 8:06 AM (GMT 0)
Ha! Glad to know we have coined a new phrase! What part of your thumb is giving you issues Boxermom. Is it the knuckle at the base of your thumb or is it the next highest joint. I have no pain from mine just a clicking noise every now and again but I'm just afriad that it will lead to something worse. I also googled it and there is a bit on Blackberry thumb. I am defo an iphone addict.

With all that said still a little concerned that this is UC - arthritis related.
Posted 8/7/2013 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Base of thumb. It is so bad on my right hand it makes me nauseated. I'm in tremendous pain. I looked up trigger thumb and that's definitely what I have. August 15 can't come soon enough. Hope an injection helps.
Posted 8/7/2013 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Sally, be careful of those injections. I had a series of 6 over the course of 3 years on my left index finger. Those injections caused my finger to get worse and my tendon actually started fraying after a while. Even though I had Trigger release surgery on that finger, I still have occasional issues because the dr had to remove the frayed sections leaving me with a thinner then normal tendon.
Posted 8/7/2013 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
How bad was the surgery? I'd rather just get it and be done with it. I can't workout or lift weights and I'm going crazy. How long was recovery?
Posted 8/7/2013 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
I had a similar problem with my wrist 10 years ago. Was given the option of surgery or a series of injections. I went to physio who gave me a series of strength exercises for wrist over a period of 2 months. My wrist got stronger, the load on the tendon was reduced, it had time to heal and when it did the trigger effect wore off.
Posted 8/7/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
The surgery wasn't too bad. I was able to keep the pain at bay by just Tylonel. I was encouraged to use my finger right away to avoid scar tissue. But my surgical bandage was on for 3 days, then I kept it covered with a bandaid for an additional 7 until I had my stitches out. Everyday it got better and better but I don't think I was totally pain free for about a year. But keep in mind, I was also recovering from tendon fraying.

I also had the surgery done on the pinky of my right hand. The recovery for that was much smoother.
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