Pain On Thumb Knuckle

[zoe76]

For months now I have had a pain and discomfort on the knuckle of my thumb. It feels sort of like a chilblain when its not too bad and really painful other times even to just touch it. Hard to explain but the bone on the outside edge of the knuckle feels harder and more pronounced than it always has been. Anyone any idea what it could be? I feel a bit silly going to the doctors tbh

[Sqad]

This sounds like early osteo-arthitis of your hand and the "hard bit of knuckle" that you describe is what is known as a Heberden's node.
Google it.
No big deal and the pain should settle with painkillers such as Ibuprofen.
Yes, no need to see your GP at this stage.

[Buenchico]

Is gout a possibility here, Sqad?
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gout/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

[Sqad]

Might be ...........but the hard node that she describes isn't typical of gout..........although certainly worth a shout, as there a few types of gout.

[ethandron]

Most of the joints on the fingers of my right hand are like this, funnily enough not my thumb. Mine is arthritis.

[zoe76]

thanks everyone, though I can't take Ibuprofen as it upsets my stomach

[NoMercy]

It certainly sounds like osteoarthritis.

Paracetamol is good for pain control but it is not a bad idea to see your GP who can arrange for you to have the joint injected.

[zoe76]

thanks NoMercy, I think I may just stick to paracetamol as I see a needle and nearly faint, no way could I have an injection anywhere especially in my thumb, hehe it's making my thumb want to detach from my hand and run away just thinking about it ;0)