Dealing with Tendinitis in the Left Thumb and Wrist: Should I Rest or Keep Moving?
As an active 66-year-old man involved in various sports, I've recently embraced racquet sports, even though I'm right-handed. Over the summer, my activity level decreased, and I've begun to experience discomfort in my left thumb and wrist, which has lasted for two months now. The intensity of the pain is manageable, and I've been cautiously moving my thumb and wrist; however, the discomfort has not improved. In an effort to alleviate the pain, I've started wearing a wrist splint, particularly during the night, yet my symptoms have worsened. This leaves me uncertain about the best course of action—should I opt for complete rest or incorporate gentle movements? It's been a while since I last visited the gym, but I'm contemplating a session with light weights tomorrow to see if it helps.
Answers (1)
8/26/2025, 12:12:48 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing discomfort due to tendinitis in your left thumb and wrist, which can often be aggravated by activity, especially after a period of reduced use. The key points to consider are balancing rest with gentle movement, as well as evaluating your current strategies for managing symptoms.
Explanation
Tendinitis happens when a tendon (the tissue connecting muscle to bone) becomes inflamed, often due to overuse or strain from activities. With your active lifestyle and recent increase in racquet sports, it’s understandable that your wrist and thumb are feeling the effects. Pain after two months suggests that while some rest is needed, completely immobilizing your wrist could also hinder recovery. Gentle movement can help maintain flexibility and strength.
Next Steps
-
Modify Activities:
- Rest: Aim for regular breaks during any activities that cause pain. Reduce racquet sports and avoid heavy lifting for now.
- Gentle Movement: Incorporate light stretching and range-of-motion exercises for your thumb and wrist without causing pain. This can help maintain mobility.
-
Ice Therapy:
- Apply ice to your thumb and wrist for 15-20 minutes, several times a day. This can reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
-
Wrist Splint Usage:
- Continue wearing your splint while engaging in activities or at night, but ensure it doesn’t restrict blood flow and is comfortable. If it’s causing more discomfort, consider adjusting the fit or frequency of wear.
-
Pain Management:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen or naproxen, can help reduce pain and inflammation if you don’t have any contraindications.
-
Gradual Return to Activity:
- If you’re considering the gym, start with very light weights or resistance band exercises that do not strain your wrist. Monitor your pain and stop any exercise that increases discomfort.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your pain levels and any changes. If your symptoms continue to worsen over the next week or you experience swelling or severe pain, consider seeking professional advice.
By following these steps, you should start to see improvement in your symptoms without compromising your active lifestyle. Always listen to your body and prioritize activities that do not exacerbate your discomfort. Let me know if you need further assistance or more detailed explanations on any step!
Related Questions
Understanding Your Doctor's Concern Over Normal Lab Results
Greetings, fellow internet enthusiasts! I find myself in a bit of a quandary regarding my lab results, and after some searching, I landed on this forum for insights. Let me provide some context: I'm a 20-year-old woman, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 112 pounds. I do not engage in smoking or drinking and don’t take any medications, overall leading a healthy life. The only medical issue I've been diagnosed with is anemia. Throughout my life, I've had annual physical exams starting from the age of 13, which included routine blood tests. Recently, about six months ago, I faced significant fatigue, paleness, and weakness that made daily activities challenging, prompting a visit to my doctor. Upon testing, I discovered that I was severely anemic with a hemoglobin level of 9.3. In light of this, we began iron supplementation because I was quite anxious about receiving intravenous iron, and since then I've been having my blood checked monthly to monitor my progress. Initially, the improvement was slow, but my latest hemoglobin reading is now at 12.2. This morning, I had more blood drawn, and I noticed on my chart that all results fell within the normal limits of the complete blood count (CBC). However, later today my physician reached out, inquiring about my overall well-being and whether I was experiencing any symptoms such as allergies or illness. Lately, I’ve been feeling nauseous, although to clarify, I am not pregnant and have never engaged in sexual activity. Otherwise, I feel relatively well, albeit a bit fatigued. My doctor mentioned that she wishes to retest in a fortnight because my basophils, which have typically been below 0.03, have now increased to 0.08 today. While I understand this is an increase, it remains within the normal range, and the number itself is quite low. This raises the question: why is there a need for a retest? Is there anything particularly critical about basophils? Furthermore, while reviewing other trends, I observed that my platelet count is nearing the high end of normal, yet still falls within acceptable limits. Can anyone shed some light on why my doctor deemed it necessary to contact me regarding a lab result that appears normal?
Skin Discoloration and Joint Discomfort
I am a 36-year-old female, standing at 5’1” and weighing 108 pounds. For many years, I’ve experienced mottled skin on my legs and, to a lesser extent, my arms. The condition fluctuates in severity but is a constant presence. A few years back, I started to shed pounds due to severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastrointestinal troubles, resulting in a weight loss of around 45 pounds. Following this, I began to notice that I seemed to endure more pain than those around me, specifically in my back, shoulders, and neck. About a year ago, I received a fibromyalgia diagnosis, yet I suspect there may be additional underlying issues. I often feel a clicking sensation in my tendons as they move over the bones, and they seem unusually loose, creating popping sounds throughout my body. My joints also feel unstable and I frequently experience dizziness, nearly fainting when I stand up. Furthermore, I tend to bruise easily. I have been diagnosed with dermatographia and cold-induced urticaria, with a possibility of heat-induced urticaria as well. Additionally, muscle tightness and spasms are common for me. What could be causing these symptoms? Should I pursue further medical evaluations? On a side note, my mother suffered a stroke due to a blood clot at the age of 47, while my father underwent triple bypass surgery at 60.
Is Mylanta Safe to Use for Suspected Food Poisoning or Salmonella?
I’m a 20-year-old who’s been feeling unwell since 7 PM yesterday. While I haven't experienced much diarrhea, I am dealing with significant nausea and a strong urge to have a bowel movement after consuming two undercooked eggs. It feels akin to having the flu, and I suspect I may be starting to develop a fever. Additionally, I’m experiencing some mild chills. Given that it’s nighttime and I can’t consult my doctor, I’m wondering if it would be appropriate to take Mylanta or if I should just endure the discomfort for a while.
Concerning Rash Development
I am a 25-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing at 5'9". For the past four years, I've been struggling with a persistent rash. Initially, medical professionals speculated that it might be vitiligo; however, it has recently undergone considerable expansion, now affecting my chest, back, and pelvic regions. The rash has started to itch, which is a new development. Additionally, I have a large cyst attached nearby, roughly the size of my uterus. I’m uncertain if this information is relevant, but I thought it worth mentioning. The doctors are considering performing a full hysterectomy along with a biopsy to investigate further. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has insights on what this condition might be? As a side note, I’m not currently on any medications aside from over-the-counter NSAIDs, I refrain from alcohol and smoking, though I do occasionally consume cannabis.
Years of Unrelenting Discomfort
Greetings, I am a 25-year-old man enduring severe discomfort in my calves, buttocks, and thighs for the past six years. The onset of my health issues occurred at 18, following a urinary tract infection that took considerable time to heal. Additionally, I was diagnosed with varicocele around that period. Initially, I ceased physical activity, but by the time I turned 19, I was eager to return to sports such as running and soccer. However, during one running session, I experienced a sharp pain in my left buttock, prompting me to take a break from the activity. Three months later, I began to suffer debilitating pain in my calves after walking. Each time I paused, I was plagued by muscle twitches throughout my lower body, especially in my legs and buttocks. This twitching severity increased with anxiety over time. On one occasion, when I attempted to run despite my symptoms, I nearly lost consciousness, experiencing blurred vision and intense heart palpitations at the age of 20. Since that incident, I have undergone a variety of tests, all returning normal results, including: • Electromyography (EMG) of the lower extremities • Venous Doppler ultrasound • Numerous blood analyses Due to my diminishing physical activity and increasingly sedentary lifestyle, I began to worry about my worsening condition. At 23, I felt an audible crack in my back, which was followed by persistent pain and further twitching. Now, whenever I sit for extended periods, those twitches resurface, and occasionally, I experience them even from sneezing, affecting my back and abdomen. Recently, I received some unexpected news: I was diagnosed with popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and dysautonomia. However, these conditions do not fully account for the pain I continue to endure in my buttocks and thighs, nor for the troubling twitching that occurs when I sneeze. I am feeling quite lost and overwhelmed by this situation. Moreover, I recently had a semen analysis that yielded alarming results, leading my doctor to recommend urgent surgery for my varicocele. I am anxious and frightened and reaching out for guidance!