wrist pain

[seuntermeyer]

About 9 months ago I started having pain on the outside (pinky side) in my left hand.  It has progressed to my tendon or ligament swelling all the way up to my shoulder.  My whole left arm hurts like an achy pain but when I move it a certain way or lift certain objects it turns into a sharp pain.  The bone on the outside of my wrist is quite swollen and in between all my knuckles also my tendon or ligament in my forearm is very noticeably swollen.  I have no insurance so  have not run an mri but I have done lots of blood work and x-ray.  Now just in the last week or so the outside of my right wrist is swelling and painful.  I'm a little worried that my hands are going to end up crippled.  I have been tested for RA which came back negative as did my test for Lupus, I have also had an Doppler for a blood clot.  Has anyone heard of this?  I am hoping its not permanent but since my left wrist (and arm) has been this way for 9 months I am starting to get a little worried.  I have looked into an mri but in addition to being very expensive they only check a small area, so if I had my whole left arm checked with a mri it would equal 7 areas at $580 an area ... OUCH!  I thought I would see if there were any ideas out there before I start spending more money.  Thank you for reading this.

[seuntermeyer]

Thank you Dr Mathur I appreciate you answering my post.  I do have a couple of more questions if you don't mind.  There was no injury to either wrists this situation just kind of appeared suddenly so I think the TFCC and yes there is a popping feeling in my left wrist (my right is too much pain at this time to check) but I also have a clicking and popping sound in my ankles and my left shoulder .... could this be something I have in those joints also?  Also on my left wrist I do have a nodule in the middle of my wrist and the veins in that hand protrude plus a general lumpiness which is from fluid in different areas, could I have RA even if my test came back negative during a time when the swelling and pain were going on?  I know s can come back negative if the disease is not active but I would think with the swelling and pain it would of been active at that time.  I have been very frustrated with this situation.  This is the first time in 10 years I have not had insurance and I never realized how hard it is to get to the bottom of something without it.  I have been told to see an oncologist or rheumatologist, which of course just the word "oncologist" scares me to death.  I really appreciate you at least trying to help by answering a few questions.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
The symptoms could be due to damage to the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC). The TFCC is made up of cartilage and ligaments and is present on the side of the little finger (ulnar side of wrist). It is needed to stabilize the wrist bones and also acts as a shock absorber. Injury to this can cause clicking popping sound or pain or both on moving your wrist in some directions. Other than this, pain on radial deviation can be due to injury to scapholunate ligament, and pain on ulnar deviation can also be caused by injury to the lunotriquetral ligament. An injured TFCC and other ligaments can be managed by rest and anti-inflammatory and/or pain medications. The wrist can be stabilized by wrist supports, splints, casts or by surgery.  If this is not treated in time, it can worsen the pain and de-stabilize the wrist.  Do consult your doctor for proper management. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.