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Painful thumb and finger joints wwyd?

6 replies

TooBusyByHalf · 05/05/2015 17:37

For about 3 -4 weeks my right thumb joint has been quite painful and my fingers are a bit too. Could this be RSI? (Eg from typing on my phone). I know it's probably that or nothing, but I'm worried it could be arthritis. I should just ignore it shouldn't i? Would anyone go to the gp for that?

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marmaladegranny · 05/05/2015 17:53

Your age may be an indicator here! Arthritis does not usually kick in until you are a bit older. Regardless of what it is, yes GP can help in various ways if the pain is bad - pain killers or referral to physiotherapy / hand therapist initially. First line of defence should be self help - ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory and useful, or paracetomol. If there is swelling try alternatively putting your hands in a bowl of water as hot as you can bear for one minute and then into a bowl of very cold water for a minute and repeat several times.

I am no expert but speak from experience of having 2 knuckles resurfaced and a thumb joint reconstructed.

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Akire · 05/05/2015 17:55

I get this from my phone it will improve if you rest it. Can you try teaching your other hand to do it?

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TooBusyByHalf · 05/05/2015 18:03

Marmalade I'm mid 40s so not too young?

Akire, yes I'm working my way through RH fingers but am trying to use LH too. It's slow!

I'm considering giving up using my phone for a bit as I won't know for sure unless I rest it completely but seem to be a bit hooked on MN at the mo.

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ThatsMyOnlyShirt · 06/05/2015 22:43

I have just come on MN to post something similar.

I thought I might have RSI in my right hand but then today my left thumb joint has swollen up and I have pain down my wrist.

I first noticed the pain a few weeks ago when I was making pastry and rubbing the butter in.

I am only in my late 20s! When do you go to the doctor for this kind of thing?

Sorry if this is a hijack!

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ReallyBadParty · 06/05/2015 22:46

Well, I'd leave it for a few months and see. Not much to be done anyway, and it might just go away.

I sometimes get a bit of the same and a swollen joint in finger, it always goes, and what could they do anyway?!

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TooBusyByHalf · 07/05/2015 11:19

Mine is already improving with drastically reduced typing and texting. I think I'll have to get better at picking up the phone and actually talking to people - which could be a good result.