Wrist pain after dog pulled on lead very hard

[SouthBeachDreams]

Five days ago I was walking my two dogs, with a lead in each hand. One of the dogs is very impulsive and strong for his relatively small size (think springer spaniel size) and can suddenly pull hard without any warning if he sees something exciting, e.g. a squirrel, cat or in this case a brown paper bag blowing down the road 🙄 I had the lead wrapped around my wrist and he yanked it so hard and at such an awkward angle that the pain in my wrist brought tears to my eyes and I was in a lot of discomfort immediately. For the rest of the week it's been giving me a lot of trouble - I do a desk job and things like typing, using the mouse etc have been really uncomfortable. Also driving has been challenging as any movement where I have to twist my wrist is painful. The pain also travels up my thumb. Not sure if I just need to give it more time or get it seen to? As it is painful when I am not even moving it, it's quite distracting and affecting my work and concentration.

I am reluctant to go and get it seen to as I had an injury to my other wrist a few years ago (which was actually severe tissue damage - diagnosed after a couple of x-rays and an MRI to rule out scaphoid fracture) - and just needed to wear a splint for ages, so am wary of wasting anyone's time! But if it should be improving after five days maybe I should see someone? Has anyone ever had anything similar?

I would get it checked. Rule out any breaks and possibly identify any physio needed. If you really don’t want to go could you try wearing a support and see if that helps?

I sent an e-consult to my GP and got a response to say they'll triage it on Tuesday. So I guess I'll just wait and see how it is by then.

So over a week on I have constant pain in my arm and wrist even when not moving them. This can’t be normal surely?!

No, not normal- go to minor injuries unit!

Is the pain getting worse? It’s not normal I would go to UTC if you can’t wait till the gp appointment you made

I had similar under the same circumstances. I went to minor injuries eventually after a similar time. They diagnosed tendonitis and told me off for not regularly icing it.

I used wrist supports for some weeks until it got better. I generally preferred a soft one without a splint, but had several kinds.

If you have one nearby I too suggest Minor Injuries, as this is one of their specialities.

Get it checked out, and for future, check out a ‘bungee’ type lead , or a front or side attachment harness.

The bungee helps absorb the shock of any lunges; the harness can help control the forward momentum.

Bungee lead already purchased 😆TBH it’s a miracle it’s the first lead-related injury I’ve had in over 25 years of dog ownership! (Or rather them owning me!)

Yes the pain is getting worse. It’s also now making my shoulder feel very achy but that could just be from not using that arm much.

The constant pain in my wrist is on the outer/little finger side, but also have a stinging pain at base of my thumb. So the pain is radiating all round my wrist and up my arm.

What's preventing you from going to Minor Injuries, or equivalent? No transport/ no childcare/ only A&E available with long waiting times, etc?

If you think there might be a fracture, your GP will send you there anyway, I would have thought.

I don’t have a minor injuries near to me and the A&E department always has a very long wait. I guess I'm just trying to decide if it warrants me going to either or whether I’ll be seen as wasting their time and mine.

You might be able to see info online of the current wait times in both departments. From what you describe, it won't be a waste of their time to assess you and travelling a bit further for a shorter wait might be very worthwhile.

With my tendinitis, I don't recall the pain particularly worsening over the week before diagnosis, it just didn't improve, so your pup might have done something substantial to you.

Maybe consider a hands/free lead too. It’s changed my life while I work on teaching my dog to walk nicely without pulling. No more strains!

Hey OP
I've had same. My dog doesn't like motorbikes, lorries or the bin truck.
Around 5 weeks ago he pulled on my left wrist. Pain got worse, and only now easing.
I visited the GP about something else, mentioned my wrist. She said likely to be a sprain. Rest hand and wrist, take OTC painkillers.

Ironically am at the GPs now for a blood test but there’s no one available to see me. The pain is now a constant stinging pain all round my wrist and up my thumb, so am considering going to minor injuries. But means having to take time out of work. Though if I don’t get it seen to work will be hard anyway! 😬

If you’ve strained it like it sounds you have then yes it takes weeks often months to recover. I’d personally pay privately and go and see an osteopath as they will be more helpful than your gp and be able to help tape it up and also adjust something if needed

I can’t afford to go privately. I am a one-income household and there’s nothing spare for things like this unfortunately. I am concerned as by the GP calls tomorrow, I’ll already be at work 50 miles away, then the following day I have a full day in London for work, and the day after that, back at work again so not near the GPs. I just can’t face using my wrist and hand to type, let alone try to drive as it’s all so painful.

Why haven’t you gone to minor injuries? Have you strapped it to see if that helps?

If it was something simple it would be feeling better by now. You\re going to have to go to A&E - the GP can;t xray it.

111 might be able to give you a time slot for attendance which will help reduce the waiting time. Or just go on a midweek morning.

I think it warrants a trip to minor injuries. Yes you'll have to take some time to go there and travel to wherever your nearest clinic is but I think you've established it's not getting better by itself and it has been going on for a number of days now.

Common sense says you should get it properly checked now.

Your shoulder wouldn't ache from under use of your arm. While you wait, the inflammation in your tendon is worsening. Treat it sooner rather than later. Use anti inflammatory cream like voltarol and buy a splint. (See your GP, I hope you have a decent one that doesn’t just tell you to take pain killers. )

You need to go to A&E today (as you don't have a minor injuries unit). Just go.

So I went to minor injuries near my work last week. They x-rayed it, said there was some ligament damage and sent me home in a splint with some physio exercise exercises to do at home. It’s been really painful and not getting any better. Then tonight I’ve had a call from an orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital. Saying he looked at the x-ray and it’s hard to see exactly what’s what as he thinks they didn’t x-ray enough of my wrist. He wants to see me tomorrow to look at it himself and fingers crossed (no pun intended 😂) it’s nothing too serious. The pain is so bad though and hasn’t improved hopefully he’ll be able to give me an idea of recovery time. Quite impressed by him proactively getting in touch and following up with me!

Good luck, hopefully it’s easily fixed and you are pain free soon