Hand Pain

[ilovemarkb]

My hubbys had extremley painful hands for about 2-3 weeks. Sometimes they swell up. They are particularly painful around 3 or 4 knuckles. He cant undo a jar lid. He winces quite a lot which is very unlike him. He went to the doctors last week and he said it was either repetitive strain injury or could be arthritis.....he had his blds taken and everything has come back normal. The hasnt gone despite taken NSAIDS and RICE. Anyone have similar problems? How long is recovery likely to take?

[sunny-dave]

I wonder if it's an allergy to something? Has he changed his diet recently?

As regards getting some relief, I'd ask my GP if he could recommend an Acupuncturist - I got some real help with a very sore shoulder.

[RobNorth]

Has he been gardening? I get this every Spring by overdoing it in the garden with my arthritic hands...

[gness]

I have to agree with Dave about acupuncture and Rob about starting gardening.
When I was doing Swedish Massage I had regular acupuncture to keep my hands pain free...now I tend to let it go til I'm in pain...
Recently I was on holiday for three weeks....when I returned I went straight into heavy gardening and my hands suffered...I wasn't too concerned about not being able to undo a jar.....but the screw top wines were beginning to bother me and to be honest the pain was making me wince even when I did nothing with my hands....they were sore and very weak....
Yesterday I had an acupuncture session....you have to chose your acupuncturist carefully.....and today I am completely pain free even after a morning lifting weights at the gym...and my hands feel really free and supple...bliss...x

[237SJ]

Acupuncture won't work for swelling. Nor will RICE because that is for sprains.

[237SJ]

^ In the acute phase

[Eleena]

Has he tried arthritis gloves for relief?

[ilovemarkb]

Thanks for replys everyone. Accupuncture would terrify him.....he cant even watch it on the tv !!! Hi 2375J.....do you think this is definitely RSI?

[237SJ]

ilovemarkb - I don't know what it is. I don't see that it would be RSI though as it wouldn't occur in both hands at the same time

[woofgang]

I reckon you need a proper diagnosis before doing anything so back to doctor first.

[rowanwitch]

Strange question has he had a virus recently?

[Sqad]

I agree with the management suggested by your GP, the blood tests being normal doesn't exclude a diagnosis of arthritis, which seem to be the oblivious diagnosis.
What Nsaid is he taking what dose and how often?

[Sqad]

LOL...obvious.

[ilovemarkb]

Hi.....thanks guys. How is arthritis diagnosed then if bld tests dont completely rule it out. Hes been taking 400mg ibuprofen TDS and 1gm paracetamol QDS for about 10 days.

[mallyh]

i've just had a cortisone injection in the palm of my hand as my hand hurt and my fingers stayed bent think it was called trigger finger but I had weakness in my whole hand x

[Sqad]

Ilove.........arthritis is USUALLY diagnosed on blood tests BUT if the blood tests are negative then it may be diagnosed on the clinical picture OR X-Rays.
I would certainly persevere with that drug regime increasing the dos of Ibuprofen to 600mgms t.d.s and give it another ten days.
I suppose that the blood test excluded gout?

[ilovemarkb]

Thanks Sqad. No ides if they tested for gout. Hopefully get a print out of the blds in the coming days.

[Sqad]

Interesting......keep us informed.

[ilovemarkb]

which bld test check for arthritis Sqad?

[Sqad]

Rheumatoid Arthritis:
1) Rheumatoid Factor
2) C. Reactive protein
3) E.S.R (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

Gout:
1) Blood Uric Acid.

[ilovemarkb]

thanks Sqad x