I have a tearing pain in my wrist whenever I open a door or any other pulling motion. It doesn't hurt if I grip tightly though. Also, if I hold my arm at full length to the front, side, or especially perpendicular to my body, I feel a tearing sensation in the area around my wrist concerned with my thumb and first finger. I would appreciate some help in the healing of this injury that I have. I think it may have been caused by sleeping awkwardly one night. I have had the pain for two weeks.
Answer ----------
This does not fit any common problem I can think of. I assume this is occurring in your "dominant" hand, right hand if you are right-handed.
If you had numbness and tingling in your middle fingers and did work requiring repetitive motion, I would think of carpal tunnel syndrome and try having you wear a wrist splint at night.
If you had a significant increase in pain while lifting something heavy in your hand with your palm down, your elbow at a right angle and your forearm parallel to the ground, then I would think of tennis elbow and try a tennis elbow strap.
It's possible that deQuervain's tendonitis could cause this kind of pain. This may actually be the most likely problem, but would require a difficult to explain physical examination to tell. Sometimes injection with steroid medicines can help this.
I would recommend a detailed examination by a family doctor with special qualification in sports medicine. An orthopedic surgeon might be good too, but would not be able to deal easily with any other general medical problems, like high blood pressure, that might be found on a routine visit. Another option is a hand surgeon, but as with general orthopedic surgeons, hand surgeons generally see a skewed population of people with unusual problems, rather than having the perspective of comparing your problem with a more general population, as is the case with a family physician.
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P. H. MD Family Physician Correspondent for General Medical Clinic Organization For Community Networks
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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