Can you help me identify my thumb pain please

[surreylady]

I have had pin in my right thumb for about 3 weeks now - started when I was on hols but I don't have any recollection of injuring it. Pain is constant at the base of thumb - it hurts to move (although not particularly to bend) and is really sore to the touch - difficult to hold weight or turn lids etc. Very much on the base above the wrist seemed to get slightly better but I am now getting shooting pains also- I don't want to waste medical time and would stuggle to find the time - any ideas what it might be and if I should just ignore it for a few weeks more. Thank You

[CybilLiberty]

Arthritis or tendonitis? I think you should see your doctor, you're not 'wasting medical time' if it's causing you pain

[pushmepullyou]

If you make a fist with your thumb on the inside and hold it out in front of you with the thumb on top and pull your fist/wrist downwards with the other hand does it hurt?

That means something thumb pain-wise, but I can't quite remember what . Will go google if it sounds likely!

[surreylady]

Pushme - hope I understood and had a go but no it doesnt cause more pain. It is the painful to touch - like a very bad sore pain that I find confusing.....

[pushmepullyou]

Probably not the thumb tendon then (pretty sure that's what that signifies). I wonder if it could be inflammation of the sheath thingy over the bone? I have probably this further round in my wrist and it is very painful to touch and I also have shooting pains, particularly if I try to pur any weight on the palm of my hand. It does settle down eventually for me, but can take a good couple of months once it flairs up. Probably worth a visit to the GP as steroid injections can help a lot if this is what it is. And physio if it isn't.

[alypaly]

surreylady...have you done anything to damage it...have a look at this...could you have fractured your scaphoid bone somehow,it is quite easy to do
www.evans-hand.com/scaphoid.htm

[surreylady]

Thank you Aly - that is exactly where the pain is coming from - I think you have cracked it - or maybe I have.....I can't remember damaging it - we were at DisneyWorld when it happened so it is possible that I damaged it in a ride or water slide.

[alypaly]

glad to be of service

[alypaly]

have it looked at because an unhealed scaphoid bone can cause awful arthritis rairly quickly,and the sooner you get it looked at the better the prognosis

[alypaly]

did you get it sorted

[surreylady]

went to get it checked out - had it x-rayed - they say not broken - however they could see that it was still swollen and bruised but suggested perhaps a sprain (I suspect in the absence of anything else)

[alypaly]

at least you know now. Hopefully it should get better in a few weeks.