Hand Pain

[billybek]

Came back from a weekend backcountry camping yesterday.
Right hand was a bit sore on Saturday morning and a lot sore on Sunday.
Swelling on the back of the hand and when I extend my fingers, it sounds like an old rusty door hinge opening! Freaky! Sounds the same when I roll the fingers into a fist.
I first noticed a hot spot about 2 inches back (towards the wrist)of the big knuckles of my index and middle fingers on the back of my hand. Feels a bit crunchy back there too.
Guess I will try some anti inflammatory and see if it works but I hate taking that stuff.
Not sure but I suspect that lifting the pack with one hand and rolling it onto the shoulder or stuffing compression sacks did it in. Guess I will need to pay more attention when doing things like that.
Keeping a cold whiskey on it right now but wondering if you guys have any other ideas?

[Don Ro]

Either you over worked it, as you suspect, or it's a gout attack.
My guess.
Do you have low GFR kidney function?...like in the 40's?

[billybek]

Never have been told that I have kidney problems.
Not sure that it would be gout but you never know.

[Don Ro]

It may be what you suspect.
I spent a couple of hours helping my crew one day. Lifting what seemed like a hundred heavy burlap bags of tree trimmings into a dump truck.
Next day my biceps were shot...couldn't lift a coffee pot.
My g/f at the time was a personal trainer...no pity for me...she suggested that I work on my abs and let my biceps heal. They did, but it took ten days.
Good luck.

[Tobra]

Seems like it would do more good to drink the whiskey. Ice, anti inflammatories, drink plenty of water with the pills, guess it goes without saying a doctor should maybe look at it.

[billybek]

Will do, thanks.

[billybek]

Saw the doc today and got a bunch of maybes...
Maybe a ligament strain or minor tendon tear.
Anti inflammatory to get the swelling down.
Put a call into my massage therapist and will go see him to see if I can get this freed up a bit.
Swelling is down some but still noticeable.

[billybek]

Why is it that I always seem to get hurt before my summer break?

[Don Ro]

^^^
It's the Carbonaro Effect.

[Baz]

Yes on the Aleve or Advil....let them help the swelling and pain - very important to the recovery.

I would give it a couple weeks at least - try to baby it. IcyHot lotion each evening while you watch Gator baseball.

Most of the time these things are temporary.....good luck Big Bill!

[Noah930]

My WAG: Extensor tenosynovitis. You overdid it. Time, NSAIDS, rest, ice.

[Tobra]

Compression or a splint may help also, like one that bowlers wear.

[billybek]

Massage worked well today and feel much better.
Have a great therapist that really knows his way around and was lucky he had a cancellation and could get me in this afternoon.
Hurt like H E double hockey sticks but feeling much better.

Your right, I did over do it and will need to mind that next time I shoulder a fully loaded backpack.

[greglepore]

Drink the whiskey, ha.
Once, thirty five years ago, I had a sudden pain in my ankle. Treated it with highland malt.

F me. Don't EVER drink a bunch of whiskey when you have gout. I'm tellin' ya.

[Don Ro]

Good to hear, Bill.
.
Yeah, gout gets really pissed off when encountering booze...beer, too. BTDT.
Haven't had a drop of alcohol in many months.

[Tobra]

I am told if you drink Scotch Whisky to excess and you are prone to it, the gout is so bad you can almost light a cigarette off the side of your foot.

Take it easy for a while Bill. Rest it, then do the PT like you are supposed to do when it is time for that. Ice usually helps with tendinitis a lot.

[Don Ro]

It's not so bad......
.