Muscular Atrophy in Hands

[Krispy01]

My 58 yr old Dad lost the muscle to his thumb in one hand a while back -- maybe 6 months ago.  Now, he is losing muscle to the thumb in the other hand.  He has pain when he tries to use his thumbs much and they are obviously weaker than they used to be.  Any ideas of what this might be?  My Dad worries, but he absolutely refuses to go to the doctor....

[fotodrvn]

A related discussion, thumb tendon surgery due to arthritis was started.

[Krispy01]

Thanks for the info.  Will try harder to get him to a dr!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

The thumb is supplied by a nerve called Median nerve. If this nerve is damaged or inflamed at a point where it starts supplying the thumb, then only the thumb will be affected. This could also be due to a long standing carpal tunnel syndrome which results in median nerve being pressed at the level of the wrist.

This is also a feature of rheumatoid arthritis. This problem needs special attention from a neurologist and cannot be treated at home. I know it’s difficult to convince your father, but it will do him good to see a doctor.

It is difficult to comment beyond this without examining and a detailed medical history. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted.