Thumb/wrist problems

[shirleyone]

Hi!
I hope you can help me with my problem. Over a year ago I felt a sharp pulling pain in the fleshy part of my thumb The pain and aching in my wrist pasted  after a day or so. Many months later I felt this pain again. It usually passed quickly. Seven months later I noticed that I could not support things like a coffee cup and went to the dr. X ray result indicated normal, no obvious arthritis. I began to experience a rapid increase in loss of strength, grip and dexterity.Opening jars, turning keys, turning small objects or picking up finger food, like peanuts. I have woken with a hand that feels dead and sometimes with my whole arm feeling dead. Currently I experience pain with almost everything I do, doing up bottons, pulling up socks, writing, using the computer, operating the TV control makes my wrist ache as does my hand flexed over the chair. Holding objects raised makes my wrist ache quickly. I also have stinging pain in the centre of my palm, three fingers, and running up the front of my thumb as well as three inches up the inside of my arm. This area looks a little swollen.
I had another x ray a few weeks ago which reveals a bone spur at the base of the thumb. (Arthritis?) I also had the grind test which was very painful at the base of the thumb and at the front of my wrist.
I have been given a cortizone injection a few weeks ago but still experience the above symptoms. However, the area which was swollen for months
I have tried the epl test and cannot raise my thumb very far from the table.
Is all this happening from arthritis at the base of the thumb? I am concerned as I seem to be experiencing more symptoms as time passes.
I appreciate any help you can give me.

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend,
Well arthritis can really cause much discomfort.Normally we see Dequervian's disease/synovitis when the person experiences pain in the thumb.Especially when you try to take the thumb inside while making a fist (Finklestein's test).Normally  steriod (cortisone) injection helps.Literature says, upto 3 shots can be given.However if it's not relieved, we need to do a minor surgery and relieve the tendon of the constriction.
Since it appers that this condition is really bothering you, why don't you opt for this surgery.It will take maximun 30 minutes.
Regards.