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Constant Wrist Pain for almost 2 years
I've been struggling with constant (no exaggeration) wrist pain, and I'm on the search for answers because I've stumped every doctor I've seen.
I don't have a specific injury, other than raising and twisting my daughter's legs when changing her diapers over and over a couple of years ago. Since it started, I've seen 2 hand specialists, 2 pain management specialists, an RA specialist who did a ton of blood tests, have had 3 MRI's (2 of the wrist and 1 of my neck), have had a ganglion nerve block, and multiple nerve tests.
Carpal Tunnel was ruled out (I had that surgery in 2018 and it didn't come back). The MRI showed a TFCC tear, so I had surgery earlier this year to repair that, but it didn't touch the constant pain.
Even after all the nerve tests that didn't show any issues, the hand specialist is convinced it's a nerve issue and is now putting me on a nerve med.
I'm an optimist and am trying to stay positive, but this process has been draining so I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction on who or where I should go to get answers.
I'm in the Dallas area so there are lots of great doctors here I can get third and forth opinions from...I just don't want to waste more time and money.
TIA!
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@aimzk: I sympathize with your constant wrist pain. Several years ago I found (after surgeries, pt, aspirations, many medications) my cure. My issue was resolved by removal of cyst on nerve caused by repetitive movement. Wrist specialist performed new surgical procedure that inserted long screw at wrist and removing 1 inch of ulnar bone. This procedure completely removed the cyst area and made it possible to turn my wrist over to improve wrist function. Surgical Recovery took months with pain and swelling increasing with only minimal movement, but after complete healing I have no more pain and remarkedly good function.
Perhaps my saga will help in your discussion with wrist specialists.
Best health for you…
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2 ReactionsHave you tried targeted hand therapy (performed by an Occupational Therapist) to strengthen your wrists? This helped me when combined with hot wax, nerve stimulation, and braces. Also, have you been tested for arthritis?
This plague has been with me for over 40 years, and all we have found so far are temporary measures.
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2 Reactionsaimzk, Bless you. My thoughts are arthritis or tendonitis with repetitive motion
aggravating this. I am so sorry you are battling this.
I am a big fan of Voltaren Gel (some folks aren't), but, it has helped me a lot with Fibromyaglis & Arthritis. Ask
your doctor before trying this.
Have you seen a Rheumatologist?
Blessings & Prayers.....
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2 Reactions@aimzk
Have you had an updated MRI/Xray/ultrasound of your wrist after your surgery earlier this year? Have you had cortisone injections in your wrist? Are you wearing splints/wrist braces to help with your healing and when you sleep (so you don’t injure your hand/wrist when moving in bed)? Did you do physical therapy after your recent wrist surgery?
I had carpal tunnel surgery a couple months ago and wonder if you had the twisting TFCC tear occur since you didn’t have your cut ligament limit your movement when repetitively changing diapers (more range of motion in your wrist).
I use Voltaren gel for inflammation/pain in my wrist and still wear my wrist braces so I don’t injure my wrists when I sleep (my wrists/arms are weak due to other health issues, too). You may also want to try Salonpas lidocaine pain patches on your wrist to see if it can help calm nerve pain.
@aimzk
One other thought is to have a neck/cervical spine MRI by an orthopedic spine specialist (but your neurologist can also request this) because compressed spinal cord/nerve roots can cause pain in arms/hands/fingers. This may or may not show up on a EMG/nerve conduction study.
Also, did your neurologist do a small fiber neuropathy skin punch biopsy to see if you have some sort of sensory small fiber nerve damage causing nerve pain. I also have small fiber neuropathy so have some experience with it.
This sounds similar to what I have experienced. I finally diagnosed myself with DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis, and had it confirmed by 2 doctors. I had three separate steroid injections, which helped, but only temporarily. There is a surgery to fix it and it sounds like what you had. If you have this condition you might want to consider a brace for temporary relief. They are inexpensive and can be found on Amazon or Walmart.