Left MCP and thumb ucl pain help

[laxbro2013]

OK my question is somewhat long due to the explanation. Anyway,  my left thumb, mainly the MCP joint and where the ucl runs has hurt for a few months now.  I have injured the area before, and been to an orthopaedic surgeon and ha e been told its OK, even though all i had taken was an xray.  So I have injured it playing lacrosse and having it bend like it would bend in a skiers thumb injury.  After the most recent injury in November 2011, my doctor gave me a splint which I wore for about a month from direction.  So after finishing the lacrosse season this spring, it hurt most of the season, at times really bad, but I finished the season, and went to see him again and all he did was xray it again, telling me to take it easy, and nothing is wrong. Well that wad five weeks ago, and I still have horrible pain, reaching like an 8 of 10 range, but my mom believes I'm just being stupid and says nothings wrong.   I can't open a water bottle or loch anything more than one piece of paper and that still hurts.  Also, it goes numb, and feels like cold pain from the mcp and ucl into my wrist and the webbing between my thumb and finger.
Any help would be nice.  
I am 17 BTW.

[laxbro2013]

Hello Dr Kaul,
i have been to an orthopedic hand surgeon and he took the xray after the third visit which was in May, and as of now it has hurt since December 2011, and Im mostly positive that my UCL has been sprained so many times it can no longer perform its function.  i have no ROM and cannot hold apiece of paper between my left thumb and forefinger, is it possible that it could appear stable in a valgus stress test, but in fact need to possibly have reconstruction done.  

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include stress fractures, joint subluxation, soft tissue injury involving the tendons, ligaments etc. A few of these may not be visible on the x-ray and may require further evaluation. I would suggest considering an evaluation by an orthopedician for an accurate diagnosis and suggestion of an accurate management plan. Meanwhile you could try resting the thumb. Tylenol/ OTC NSAIDS may be helpful for pain relief.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!