QuestionGood Morning Sir,
I am a 25 year old guy working in operations department of Allianz General Insurance company since last 3 years and my job involves extensive use of keyboard and mouse for 9-10 hours daily. Two years ago , tissue at the base of my right hand thumb started swelling and after 1 or 2 months the same happened to my left hand thumb.I saw an orthopedic doctor and he said that I have flexor tendonitis and prescribed pain killers and hot cold hydro therapy, but it worked little for me. In recent times, both of my hands are swollen, and specially index finger, thumb and tissues around that area. My nerve conduction study and EMG turned out to be positive and indicates that median nerve is entrapped at wrist area.My hands are weaken and shakes when I lift something. Please describe stretching exercises of fingers , thumb and palm so that my hand tissues' tension gets released after typing for 9-10 hours. Also suggest me other alternative therapy in detail so that I can strengthen my muscles. Whether physiotherapy is the answer to my problem ?
AnswerPritesh,
Your case is a perfect example of Flexor Tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; your diagnosis is right on.
Physiotherapy is absolutely right on for you. They will be able to describe exercises for you; the "One Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words" adage is accurate in this case. Complex movements of the hand are better shown in person. Additionally, I refer you to the video from URehab,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGeplHvdCbs
This should serve as a good beginning point.
Doctors are continually flummoxed with treatments of such things. Your doctor should have immediately referred you for physiotherapy and was careless not to do so; hydrotherapy and anti-inflammatories are 20% treatments, whereas proper ergonomic training, physiotherapy and proper stretches, computer use techniques, and relief from the ergonomics that are causing the problem are paramount. Deep manual massage therapy can be effective, as it is likely entrapment via muscles that cross the nerve - you can look up the Pronator Teres muscle on Wikipedia for a picture.
You likely need to do a switch to an ergonomic keyboard and mouse. Get a proper assessment. Powerfully impress upon the assessor the severity of your symptoms.
I wish you the best of luck in your rehab!
Glenn Kukkee,
RMT HBSc
