Tendonitis and wrist problems

I had a ganglion cyst surgically removed from my wrist last year. The past several months I have had searing pain at the base of my thumb and hand. My primary physician put me on an anti-inflammatory (Mobic) and told me to wear some kind of wrist support when active, and to do strengthening exercises. Great. Fast forward several months later... I was referred to an orthopedist because the pain was worse. He diagnosed it as De Quervain's and gave me a thumb spica splint (completely immobilizes my thumb) and told me to wear it 24 hrs a day for 4-6 weeks, then wean myself off of it. I also had steroid injections.

My concern is that I have been wearing the splint for over 2 weeks and the pain continues to get worse. It is now in my fingers and entire hand, and any movement or gripping is very painful. When I wake in the morning, it is the worst. I don't understand why the pain continues to get worse when it is immobilized. Also, after any exertion with my right hand (which is also my dominant hand), my whole arm tremors badly.

I am beyond frustrated, as I have several races and a couple tri's on the calendar for this year. Has anyone had any experiences like this or have any insight to offer?

Did they say anything to you about Trigger Thumb/Finger? http://www.handuniversity.com/topics.asp?Topic_ID=28

I know you said you had a cyst removed, but what you are describing as worse pain first thing in the morning is identical to Trigger Finger. Worth asking your doc.

We were discussing this on the forum last week: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=31147

I just had a shot in my tendon this morning for Trigger Finger. It's my 2nd shot -- doc says next time it flares up they want to do surgery. I think I am going to try acupuncture if it comes back before I consider surgery.

Hrm. Reading the description of trigger thumb, it sounds like I have that. At least, there's a clicking everytime I move my right thumb. Sometimes it's sore kind of going down in a line from it down the wrist.

I went to the doctor this morning about wrist pain, as soon as he heard pain, sometimes numbness, and that I type, he decided time to do an EMG to look for carpal tunnel & didn't listen to anything else. I'll do the EMG to confirm or rule out, and then I'll find a doctor that listens.

I've heard that Trigger Finger is pretty common in cyclists because of using our hands the way we do for braking. Also, my doctor said that diabetics are extremely prone to Trigger Finger.... although I'm not diabetic, I found that interesting.

I've had it for years - sometimes it goes away on it's own. Lately though, I've been riding more and so it is bothering me more and more especially in the morning.

I've had trigger thumb in both thumbs and have had a total of three shots in each thumb (base area). The pain was so bad before the shots that I could barely open a door because of the gripping motion needed. I also had tried acupunture with little success.

Right now, both thumbs are ok...not great, but ok. I actually am selling my road bike because I can't use the drops anymore and even with shims, have some strength issues with the brakes. However, I can ride my mountain bike ok and have pretty much converted it into a commuter bike anyway. As soon as the road bike sells, I'm going to see what options I have...handlebarwise for a new bike :)

I really think the cause of my trigger thumbs was the pressure due to teaching so many Spinning classes. I teach six classes weekly and at one club, the bikes are extremely uncomfortable (Schwinns) and no matter how carefully I am with my set-up, the handlebars really bother my hands so now I wear a immobilizing brace on my right hand when teaching the classes on that particular group of bikes or if I teach at another club that has Lemond bikes. Luckily four of the classes I teach are on Kieser M3's and I haven't had a problem with those handlebars.

I have also found that massage helps a lot. It's been about five months since my last shot and I'm hoping the third time was the charm since surgery is the next option and being self-employed and having a high-deductible on my health insurance...I'd like to stay away from that if possible.

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Originally Posted by Raindrop

I've had trigger thumb in both thumbs and have had a total of three shots in each thumb (base area). The pain was so bad before the shots that I could barely open a door because of the gripping motion needed. I also had tried acupunture with little success.

Right now, both thumbs are ok...not great, but ok. I actually am selling my road bike because I can't use the drops anymore and even with shims, have some strength issues with the brakes. However, I can ride my mountain bike ok and have pretty much converted it into a commuter bike anyway. As soon as the road bike sells, I'm going to see what options I have...handlebarwise for a new bike :)

I really think the cause of my trigger thumbs was the pressure due to teaching so many Spinning classes. I teach six classes weekly and at one club, the bikes are extremely uncomfortable (Schwinns) and no matter how carefully I am with my set-up, the handlebars really bother my hands so now I wear a immobilizing brace on my right hand when teaching the classes on that particular group of bikes or if I teach at another club that has Lemond bikes. Luckily four of the classes I teach are on Kieser M3's and I haven't had a problem with those handlebars.

I have also found that massage helps a lot. It's been about five months since my last shot and I'm hoping the third time was the charm since surgery is the next option and being self-employed and having a high-deductible on my health insurance...I'd like to stay away from that if possible.

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Before you give up completely, you may want to try acupuncture: http://www.acupuncture-boston.com/trigger.php

I have two trigger fingers: the middle and ring fingers on my right hand. I've had the first shot in October. It lasted about 4 months. I had the 2nd shot on Tuesday. Doc said if this one doesn't work that we should schedule surgery. But, if it flares up again, I'm going for acupuncture first. Surgery will be my last option. I just couldn't imagine giving up my bike... I also take spinning classes at least twice a week. My hand doesn't bother me so much spinning, but hurts a lot on the road bike, especially braking.

Doh... sorry, Raindrop -- just re-read your post and see you tried acupuncture.
What a bummer... maybe the surgery would be your last resort?