Pain in Right Hand
Age 21. Approximately nine days ago, I struck the pinky side of my right hand against a hard object, which resulted in significant immediate discomfort. By two days later, specifically last Wednesday, I noticed the pain had nearly subsided. However, during the weekend, I started to experience a persistent dull ache in the knuckle of my pinky, extending along the side of my hand towards my wrist. This sensation occurs exclusively when I engage my right hand; when it remains idle, I don’t feel any pain. Touching the area beneath the pinky knuckle on the palm side, or the knuckle itself, triggers a considerable amount of discomfort. Additionally, any weight placed on my pinky, including the simple weight of my phone, intensifies the pain. There are no visible signs of bruising or swelling, and my right hand appears normal when compared to my uninjured left hand. I can move my pinky and hand without any issues. I am curious whether this discomfort may be indicative of a bone bruise or if it could potentially point to a more serious concern, such as a fracture. Any insights would be appreciated!
Answers (1)
7/31/2025, 1:50:44 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing discomfort in your right hand after a recent impact, which is understandably concerning. Based on your description, there are several potential causes for the pain you’re feeling, including a possible bone bruise or injury to the soft tissue around the knuckle, but it’s unlikely to be a serious fracture since you can still move your pinky without issues.
Explanation
When you hit your hand against a hard object, it's common to experience pain and sometimes swelling or bruising. Your symptoms—persistent dull ache, increased pain with touch, and discomfort when placing weight on your pinky—could indicate that the area is still healing from the impact. The fact that you observed improvement and now have localized pain suggests it might be more related to soft tissue strain or inflammation around the joint rather than a fracture.
Next Steps
-
Rest: Avoid using your right hand for heavy tasks or activities that cause pain. Allowing the area to rest can facilitate healing.
-
Ice Therapy: Apply ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every few hours to reduce any potential inflammation. Make sure to wrap the ice in a cloth to prevent skin damage.
-
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: You can consider taking NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) to help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, following the recommended dosage on the package.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your hand’s condition. If your pain doesn’t improve in the next few days, worsens, or if you experience new symptoms like swelling, discoloration, or difficulty moving your finger, it would be best to seek professional evaluation.
-
Gentle Mobilization: If pain decreases, try gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises for your pinky and hand to prevent stiffness, ensuring they don’t cause pain while doing so.
Listening to your body's signals is important. If you have lingering concerns or if your symptoms escalate, follow up with a healthcare provider to rule out any further injury. Feel free to reach out for more guidance!
Related Questions
Increasing Pain in the Sternal Area
A 26-year-old female, standing 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds, is seeking insights into her health condition. **Current Medications:** birth control and Allegra. **Past Medical History:** includes irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome that required surgical intervention at ages 17 and 18, and minor kyphosis. For the past year, she has experienced considerable stiffness, along with clicking and popping sensations, accompanied by mild discomfort located at the costosternal junction, particularly around the second to fourth ribs, with greater intensity on the left side. Recently, during the last three days, she noticed a notable increase in pain on the left, to the extent that it occasionally causes a sharp sensation that temporarily immobilizes her. However, once she changes her position, the pain becomes more bearable. Notably, she is not experiencing any shortness of breath. The pain appears to be triggered by movement and can be replicated, leading her to believe that cardiac or pulmonary issues are unlikely. Attempts to alleviate the discomfort with a lidocaine patch have been largely ineffective, although she has found some slight relief with ibuprofen. This situation appears to align with typical presentations of costochondritis; nonetheless, she acknowledges that such symptoms typically resolve within a few weeks, while hers have persisted for an entire year. She has encountered information suggesting that chronic costochondritis might point to rheumatoid disorders, and she is uncertain about the validity of this claim. Given her earlier struggles with ulnar nerve entrapment, which occurred during her teenage years, she is contemplating whether this pain warrants further medical evaluation. Currently, she lacks comprehensive health insurance, and she wishes to avoid any extensive diagnostic processes if they are unlikely to yield actionable results. However, if there is a possibility that her symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, she is prepared to follow through with recommended evaluations. Thank you for your assistance!
Persistent Discomfort and Sensitivity in My Leg Since July 2025
I am a 19-year-old female diagnosed with PCOS, and I occasionally take hydroxyzine, a medication I only use a few times each month. On July 12, my leg from the mid-thigh down experienced a strange sensation—either numbness or heightened sensitivity. By July 14, the situation prompted a visit to the emergency room. The medical staff informed me that I had an inflamed nerve in my back. They prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and released me. However, since that day, I've noticed my right leg has felt unusual. After walking for more than half an hour, continuing to move becomes quite challenging. Riding a bicycle for just a few minutes causes burning sensations in my knee and weakness in my legs. At present, my knee and ankle are the areas that feel the most sensitive. Following any extended walks, the discomfort in my leg can last for up to three days. Additionally, I experience a sharp, intense pain in my hips, particularly in the upper thigh region and deep near the hip joint. It is important to note that I cannot be pregnant, as I practice celibacy. Visually, there are no noticeable differences between my affected leg and the other one. However, I experience pain when pressure is applied to my right ankle, and excessive movement worsens the discomfort. Otherwise, to an outsider, there appears to be nothing wrong at all with my leg.
Experiencing Severe Discomfort - What Are My Options?
Age: 35, Height: 5'2", Weight: 61 kg. I have been suffering from intense discomfort located beneath both of my ribs, particularly a sharp pain deep under my left rib cage. A significant medical event occurred on November 25 when I underwent gallbladder removal. This morning I experienced diarrhea, which has since improved after taking loperamide. However, about an hour ago, I was abruptly awakened by significant pain radiating under my ribs. Additionally, I've experienced minor nausea that hasn’t alleviated my symptoms. I took co-codamol roughly three hours ago for pain relief, but it has proven ineffective against the current level of pain I'm enduring. What might be causing these symptoms? I live in the UK and I'm hesitant to utilize emergency services unnecessarily. Yet, given that co-codamol hasn't alleviated my discomfort, and I have a demanding 12-hour shift ahead tomorrow, what steps should I take next?
Experiencing Discomfort in My Left Armpit
I realize this may sound odd, but I'm feeling unwell and thought I'd seek some advice regarding my symptoms. A few days ago, I began experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, which isn't unusual for me as I seem to catch these colds every month. However, what is out of the ordinary this time is the intense pain in my left armpit and left arm. The discomfort is quite pronounced, ranging from about a 6 or 7 on the pain scale at its worst, while averaging around a 4. Typically, I experience muscle soreness in both armpits and around the lymph nodes in my neck, but this sensation feels distinct. It’s difficult for me to articulate, but it seems to be an internal pain rather than muscular. The pain appears to originate from my armpit area, closer to my back, yet it radiates down my arm towards my pinky finger. I no longer have a fever; my main symptoms now are congestion and a general feeling of malaise. I thought it was best to reach out for some insights regarding this issue.
Strange Sensation in Hands Experienced at College Gathering
Last night, I attended a dorm party where we enjoyed drinks and wandered around the campus, sharing laughter and conversation. Out of nowhere, I started experiencing a severe discomfort in my hands—like a tingling sensation equivalent to pins and needles. At one point, I feared my hands might be bleeding due to the intensity of the pain. Strangely, this sensation was widespread; others at the party also mentioned feeling similar discomfort in their hands, both during the event and shortly after. Even now, the sensation persists although it's considerably diminished. Pressing certain points on my fingers seems to exacerbate the issue. I’m 19 years old, a male, standing 5’11” and weighing around 200 pounds, of Iranian descent, without any known medical conditions and currently not on any medication. What could be causing this odd sensation?