StupidStupidStupid...wrist pain question

[kellymom]

I would love some feedback from anyone who has some ideas/answers for me.

First, I must confess my stupidity. During Meso 3 wk 3 chest and back I made a stupid, stupid decision to try and hold two dumbbells with one hand during the chest flys because my suggested weight was far above my 20lb dumbbell. Stupid. I know. I never did it again (I used multiple ankle weights on my wrists instead). Well, I tweaked my right wrist, right above where the bone sticks out and the wrist bends. I was very careful while finishing STS (I couldn't fathom stopping) and didn't lift one weight during the rest week. Well, one and a half weeks after that I still have the same twinge/pain whenever I have to exert force with my right hand, especially in a twisting motion. Turning left in my car, stirring things, opening jars, the top of a bicep curl.....it's not crippling pain, just a flash that makes me go "ow!". There's no swelling or noticible problem to the eye, but it's annoying the crap out of me. Anyone have suggestions on how to get rid of this? It doesn't seem serious enough for a Dr. visit. A couple of weeks with motrin/aleve?

TIA,

Kelly

 

[RunninTeach]

Ut oh. I injured my wrist back in March during the Push phase of CLX, and I am STILL not 100%. I don’t know if you have the same thing, but it does sound like where my pain is concentrated. I was really pushing the heavy weights at the time, and I overdid it, I believe, with the wrist curls. As a result, I developed deQuervain’s tenosynovitis. I wore a brace for months and have had one cortisone shot to date. (Once the cortisone kicked in, I was able to ditch the brace.) Now I'm at the point where I have tried to carefully re-introduce weights, but the cortisone seems to be wearing off, and I’m thinking I will need another soon.

Here is a quick test you can do (Finkelstein’s test) to see if you might have deQuervain’s.
http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/843/what_is_the_finkelsteins_test.html

Regardless, I would schedule a doc appointment. Having had AT in the past and now this, I can say tendon issues, unfortunately, can be very, very stubborn! Good luck!

Cathy

 

[sparrow13]

I tweaked my wrist badly doing yoga a couple of years back and had to stop lifting for almost a month. Definitely give it plenty of rest - I found that trying to do the slightest move before it had fully healed could aggravate it again.

Good luck!

 

[kellymom]

Well, poo. That's not what I wanted to hear! But I really appreciate you responding, Cathy. Can I ask you a few follow up questions? I tried the two tests you posted and I wanted to check and see if I did it right. After making the fist, do you turn your wrist so the the bone (outside edge of hand) goes toward the ceiling, or the floor? I get pain with the outside edge towards the ceiling. Also, when sticking my thumb out like a hitchhiker and pressing on the thumb, I get pain pointing my thumb down to the floor (like 'thumbs down'), not with my palm to the ceiling. Is that the correct testing movement?

Thanks!

Kelly

 

[RunninTeach]

With Finkelstein’s, you make a fist with your thumb tucked in, and then you turn the wrist out to the side—in the direction of your pinky. Your pain is on the outside of the wrist? Then I don’t think it’s that…BUT…I would still make the appointment. I waited a few weeks initially, figuring it would go away with rest. It didn’t, so I saw my primary. He prescribed the brace and naproxen, which I couldn’t take after a week because it made me sick. Waited a few more weeks, hoping it would go away. Unfortunately, it just got worse. I finally decided to see a specialist but then had to wait to over a month for the appointment, by which time I was in AGONY. Long story short: I wouldn’t wait.