Trigger Thumb?
A couple of weeks ago I woke up and my thumbs didn't want to work. They wouldn't bend and if they did they stuck in that position. The left side (BC side) is worse than the right. I don't know if it is related to the Anastrozole or just age but I decided to just go ahead and make an appt with an orthopedist. Saw him this week and he said it was definitely trigger thumb. He gave me cortisone shots in both hands (ouch) and they do seem better but I'm afraid I might end up having to have surgery. I have been wearing thumb splints at night, not sure if it helps. Has anyone here had trigger thumb and was there anything other than surgery you did to help. If you did have surgery how was the recovery? I've read it can take several months to recover and be very painful. I'm alone and have no assistance so I'm worried about the normal things, being able to drive, clean myself and the house, etc. Thanks
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Hi @july31, just wanted to check in on your post since it hasn’t received any replies yet. We hope you’ve been able to find some relief from the injections, and that you’ll hear from others who have dealt with trigger thumb and can share what worked for them.
The Mods
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I had a steroid shot about 3 month ago for trigger thumb on my left hand, my right hand is really tender and bothers me but not a trigger thumb yet. I was diagnosed in June with IDC and getting ready to start AI - not sure which one yet as I go to the oncologist on Thursday and I am SO worried about my hands on the medication. I feel like the surgery is in my future! Let me know how it's going for you, please!
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@jgodsey Thank you for replying. I've never had any issues with my hand, not even any arthritis which is why I think it might be related to the AI, however there is no way to prove it without going off it. The shots seem to be helping and I hope that will last for at least a while.
I'm sorry about your diagnosis and I wish you the best of luck with your treatment. My oncologist and his staff tend to be very dismissive whenever I ask about side effects. Ask lots of questions and I hope you get good answers. Take care.
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Hi, I've had trigger thumb and my physical therapist made a form that kept my thumb straight. She molded the form out of a soft plastic grid-like material which she sized by bending the strip around my thumb. She then removed the form from my thumb and heated it which harden it. I wore the form 24/7 and after about 6 weeks the thumb was fine. I've kept the form and whenever my thumb begins to be painful I wear it for a day or two which helps a lot. I could drive, etc with the form on my hand.
Good luck! Hope your thumbs feel better soon.
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That's really interesting, @dianecarol2! Thanks for sharing. Are you on an aromatase inhibitor by chance?
For all who are having trigger finger issues, you might find this podcast episode helpful:
We hope this helps!
—The Mods
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@dianecarol2 Thanks. I've been wearing a thumb splint for about a month on and off. It is sort of annoying so I can't wear it all day but do try and wear it to bed. I don't have a physical therapist but I did ask my orthopedist about wearing one and he said he didn't really think it would help. I'm afraid he is going to want to go straight to surgery next but I'm not ready for that step. I've found alternating using cold and hot packs helps some.
@moderators thanks, I'll check out the podcast.
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