Unexplained Discomfort in My Right Hand
Greetings, I'm a 36-year-old male who has recently been experiencing discomfort in my right hand. Over the past few weeks, this pain has intensified, becoming particularly bothersome in the last week. The discomfort seems to be centralized between my index and middle fingers, likely corresponding to what is known as the second dorsal interosseous muscle, stretching about two inches from the base of the knuckles into my hand. This issue emerged while I was undergoing physical therapy for a separate Achilles tendon injury. I initially noticed it while using a Graston tool awkwardly to massage my ankle. For several weeks, while combining this form of therapy with my physical rehab, the pain remained relatively mild. However, in the last week, I've taken a break from both activities, and surprisingly, the discomfort worsened significantly, becoming apparent whenever I perform gripping motions, such as using pruners or clenching my fist. I have tried massaging the sore area and stretching my fingers, but unfortunately, these efforts have not alleviated the pain whatsoever. In terms of my medical background, I have high blood pressure, previously sustained a wrist injury in my lower right arm that has since healed, and I am also dealing with ongoing Achilles tendonitis.
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 5:00:50 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing significant discomfort in your right hand, especially between your index and middle fingers. This discomfort, particularly since it's related to activities that use gripping motions, could stem from a few possible causes, including muscle strain, tendinitis, or even an overuse injury from your physical therapy techniques.
Explanation
The second dorsal interosseous muscle plays a role in the movement and stability of your fingers, and discomfort here could relate to muscle fatigue or strain, especially with your recent physical activities. Since you mentioned that the pain worsened after stopping your rehabilitative exercises, it might indicate that those activities were, in fact, contributing to muscle conditioning but are now resulting in discomfort due to inactivity or poor ergonomics in how you applied techniques like the Graston tool.
Next Steps
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Activity Modification: Avoid activities that exacerbate the pain, particularly gripping motions like using pruners or anything that requires squeezing. Give your hand a break to allow any inflammation to decrease.
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Ice Application: Apply ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every couple of hours, especially if you notice swelling. This can help reduce inflammation.
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Gentle Stretching: While you’ve tried stretching with limited success, focus on very gentle stretches for the fingers and wrist, but only if they don’t increase pain. If any stretching causes pain, stop immediately.
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Ergonomics: Reflect on how you’re using the Graston tool. Make adjustments to your grip and the position of your hand whenever giving pressure through the tool, as improper form can lead to strain.
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Rest and Elevation: When possible, keep your hand elevated to minimize swelling and allow for healing.
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Strengthening Exercises: Once the pain decreases, consider engaging in gentle strengthening exercises for your hand and wrist to avoid future issues. Research or consult resources on hand and wrist rehabilitation techniques for guidance that enhances your strength progressively.
Keep a close eye on your symptoms, and if the discomfort persists or worsens over the next few days, consider seeking further evaluation. It’s important to address any new or unresolved pain, especially in the context of previous injuries or ongoing conditions. Please let me know if you have any questions or need more personalized guidance!
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