Undiagnosed hand pain for 1 year.

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I am a 26 year old female. I worked as a data entry clerk for two years. I started experiencing pain in both hands and quit two months later in June. I don't have any numbness or tinging. The pain seems to generate from the base of my thumb and radiates to the entirety of my palm. It doesn't usually extend to my fingers or wrist. There's little swelling and the muscles spazzes occasionally. They get visibly tight and irritated. There is a pulsing vein that runs from my wrist to around the base of my thumb on my right hand and in the middle of my left. I'm not the only who has witnessed this.

I've had blood work, exrays, a nerve conduction study, and an mri. Everything's coming back normal. Other than what i described above they look and feel normal. I've tried rest/splints(5 months), steroid injection, paraffin wax, physical therapy (4 months ongoing) The physical therapy has helped a little. I've regained a lot of my strength and motion range, but the pain is still very prominent. For a while it almost seemed to help the pain as well. It lasted for about two weeks after 6weeks of threrapy before it came back. My doctor and hand specialist has hit a wall. They tell me there isn't anything else that can be done. Is there something they're missing? Any tests that they haven't done, any condition they're overlooking? I can't work. i can't get disablity or worker compensation without a diagnoses. I can't even pick up my dog. I don't know what else to do.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi jessica69047

    It sounds as if you may have RSI..Repetitive Strain Injury from using a keyboard as a data entry clerk...or you may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome a trapped nerve that affects the thumb and palm of your hand and will eventually cause pain in your first three fingers as well ss your thumb...have you been tested for it?...you do not mention that you have in your post.....

    • Posted

      The nerve conduction study and mri ruled out Carpal Tunnel. It all came back normal. I suspected RSI, but wouldn't that also show up in the MRI?

  • Posted

    Hi jessica69047

    RSI also known as Occupational Injuries. There are tests for tendonitis such as a grip and pinch test known as Finkelsteins Test and a test called De Quervians Test........best wishes

  • Posted

    I am quite a bit older then you but I have the same symptoms you do but I also have the pain in my wrists. But the pain in my thumb in unbelievable. Like you I had a nerve conduction study too. But mine showed a borderline carpel tunnel. So my doctor has referred me to an orthopedic Dr. I haven't seen him yet so I have no idea what he will do but I just thought maybe you should go see one if you haven't already. You haven't mentioned that you've seen one.

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