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
Managing Early Appendicitis: Antibiotics vs. Surgery
I’m a 21-year-old who recently had a CT scan revealing mild inflammation in my appendix and lymph nodes. My doctor informed me that surgery might not be necessary if the antibiotics effectively alleviate my discomfort by tomorrow. However, I can’t shake my fears about a potential recurrence of the inflammation. The thought of going through a post-surgery recovery terrifies me, so I really want to steer clear of that option. Has anyone opted for antibiotics rather than surgical intervention? What was your experience like?
Severe Abdominal Discomfort
An 18-year-old male, with no history of smoking or current medications, finds himself at home, surrounded by his sleeping family. He stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs around 220 pounds. Lately, he has been experiencing persistent discomfort in the lower left side of his abdomen. This sensation has intensified recently, culminating in a bout of vomiting, which was notably different this time, presenting more solid material rather than the usual liquid with some fragments. The level of pain has escalated significantly, leaving him uncertain about seeking medical assistance at this moment. What steps should he take?
Concerns Over My Partner's Persistent Pain and Resistance to Seek Medical Help
I’m facing a worrying situation with my partner, a 40-year-old man who stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 19 stone. Here's a brief overview of his medical background: Twenty years ago, he experienced two instances of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his left shoulder. Following the second incident, doctors discovered an abnormal growth of a rib that was pressing against a vein, which was the cause of those DVTs. More recently, he dealt with a blood clot in his calf last year. Fortunately, that was successfully treated, and he returned to his normal health. Although he was advised to continue taking apixaban for the long term, he has, unfortunately, chosen not to follow through with this guidance. He also has a history of elevated blood pressure. For the past couple of days, he has been experiencing two concerning symptoms that emerged simultaneously: a persistent cough with no accompanying cold or flu signs, and a severe pain located on the right side of his torso. He describes this discomfort as being mostly in his stomach yet extending slightly to his back. I would pinpoint the troubled area as the lower part of his ribs along the side of his body. It's unusual for him to express discomfort or complain about his health, so his recent grievances signal to me that the pain is likely quite significant. Despite my repeated suggestions for him to visit a doctor, he insists that he may have simply pulled a muscle. To manage the pain, he's been applying an ibuprofen cream (voltarol) and taking naproxen, but neither seems to provide relief. What might be the underlying issue here? I hope that some medical professionals who see this post can offer their insights, which might persuade him to consider making a doctor’s appointment. I’m open to providing any additional information you might require for a more informed perspective. Thank you for your help!
Struggling with Bleeding and Pain Since Christmas
I'm a 27-year-old woman from the UK, and I've reached a point of exasperation. I'm reaching out because I hope someone can provide insight or guidance on what I should discuss with my doctors. Please excuse any grammar or spelling errors as I have dyslexia. I've been diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent surgery in 2022 for confirmation of that diagnosis. On December 15th, I had my birth control implant removed after nearly two years. During that period, I experienced severe menstrual cramps and PMS. My GP started me on Drospirenone 3mg and Estetrol 14.2mg COCP in October to alleviate these symptoms and suppress my periods, which provided some relief. Prior to this situation, I occasionally dealt with flare-ups that typically lasted a few days or up to a week. To help manage the discomfort, I have been prescribed Duloxetine at a dosage of 90mg. I had an ultrasound earlier this summer, and the results came back normal. Currently, I am awaiting an MRI. Last year, my smear test results were also clear. After the removal of my implant in December, I began bleeding on Christmas Eve. Initially, I could manage with just a panty liner, but over the next few weeks, the bleeding intensified, requiring the use of pads due to increased blood flow and blood clots. Given my history with endometriosis, pain isn't unfamiliar to me; my average pain level is around a 4, but it has recently escalated to 7 or 8. In the past couple of weeks, the discomfort has worsened. My job demands physical activity, and bending over now causes pain in my back and legs. Additionally, I experience discomfort when my bladder fills, and urination is painful, although it doesn't feel like a urinary tract infection. I've also been waking up at night to use the restroom. My doctor performed a urine dip test that showed no signs of infection, though there was blood in my urine, which he indicated was to be expected. Recently, my GP prescribed Tranexamic acid 500mg and Mefenamic acid 500mg, which helped with the blood clots, but I'm still experiencing bleeding and significant pain. I've been diligent about taking my medication, treating it like a strict regimen. I returned to the GP, who referred me for another ultrasound and advised me to go to A&E if the pain worsens. I've been resting as much as possible while still trying to maintain some level of activity, but it hasn't provided much relief. Any assistance or advice would be immensely appreciated! Thank you!
Normal MRI and EMG Reveal Nerve Slowdown
Greetings, I’m a 23-year-old female seeking guidance about some health issues I’ve been experiencing. Recently, I've noticed weakness in both my hand and arm, particularly in my dominant hand where grip strength has been notably diminished. After undergoing an EMG, the results indicated that my nerves are exhibiting a slowdown. However, my MRI results were unremarkable. To address some swelling I experienced, I was prescribed a course of steroids (4mg for a few months), which alleviated some of the issues, yet I still experience residual swelling in my hand. Often, my hand feels cold, and I notice a popping sensation when I move my fingers. Despite these sensations, I do not have any numbness or tingling, and the swelling appears sporadic. The pain I endure is quite severe, described as a hammering sensation throughout my hand. On occasion, I take ibuprofen (600mg) for relief, but it proves to be somewhat ineffective. My wrist itself seems fine, but my orthopedic specialist is considering a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), even though my symptoms don’t align with typical CTS indicators. I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights you may offer!