Arthritic Thumbs injected!

llew · #1 08-20-2018, 07:11 PM

Don't usually post in open mic but my thumbs have been bothering me (arthritis) for a while and today I had them injected by a pain management specialist. My wife has had her neck and right hip done and it requires a protocol of three sets of injections spaced at a minimum of three weeks apart. Front and back of my hand where the thumb and wrist meet. Got Lidocaine first but the injections go deep and are still somewhat painful. Got two more rounds to go. I'm hoping it will bring some relief from this painful condition.
Just curious if anyone else has traveled this road?

rokdog49 · #2 08-20-2018, 07:21 PM

No, but I'm starting to get a little of that pain going on.
I know the inevitable is coming. Folks, enjoy your youth and your health.

KenL · #3 08-20-2018, 08:34 PM

Not yet, but someday not too far down that road....

I learned that osteoarthritis often first appears where the thumb meets the wrist. I've had that for a few years now. But just recently it seems to have spread to the next joint in the thumbs.

Keep us posted, Jim, am interested to know if it works for you.

harpspitfire · #4 08-21-2018, 05:41 AM

i had back problems- looked into a pain clinic, they explained the injections and i walked out the door, (long story) if treatment is recommended by your doctor or specialist, thats good, if its a walk in pain clinic, thats bad news from my experience

DCCougar · #5 08-21-2018, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llew

....my thumbs have been bothering me (arthritis) for a while and today I had them injected by a pain management specialist....

I hope that works for you. My left thumb has bothered me for a couple years. I saw a sports doc. Said the "cushioning" in the joint was pretty much gone. He gave me the options, surgery being one. I figured it wasn't that bad. I've just got to be careful not to torque it the wrong way. I got one of those thumb brace things, but I don't even use it much anymore.

I did have a sudden case of bursitis in a shoulder some years ago. Could barely lift my arm. Had the doc inject cortisone right into the shouder joint with a great big needle. Yeah, that was painful. Amazing stuff though. Next day it was fine and haven't had a problem with that shoulder since.

kathyson · #6 08-21-2018, 12:29 PM

Have been a Finger picker for 50 + years. I get a steroid shot every 3 months, Base of my RH thumb. I've investigated the surgery option but have spoken to many that have gone that route with questionable outcomes. I'm fortunate, to not only have worked and retired at Duke medical center but to know one of the premier hand surgeons at Duke. He has advised me to wait. I've heard that some country's are experimenting with injection of a contact lense type material. We'll see. You play long enough, stuffs gonna wear out.

llew · #7 08-21-2018, 05:25 PM

These injections consist of human growth hormone and testosterone. I know people locally who have had them and experienced good results. I'm hoping for the same?

HHP · #8 08-21-2018, 06:40 PM

Just had two shots yesterday, one to numb the finger and one toast on the inflamed tendon. Nothing hurts worse than shots in the fingers or hand. My doctor must have used about a gallon of Lidocaine as the numbing didn't clear for over 24 hours.

Chicago Sandy · #9 08-22-2018, 01:01 AM

Ah, the ol' CMC (carpometacarpal) joint. Per X-ray reports, both of mine are showing "mild spurring & age-appropriate degenerative changes" but which I have yet to feel. Have had cortisone shots for trigger thumbs, though.