Help me find the source of my hand pain (PLEASE!!) Photo included

Question

Hey guys, I have a bit of trouble. My right hand (I am left handed) is often numb, and when I bend my fingers, they sort of make a "creaking" noise. Also, when I extend my elbow, I hear a snap/grind/crack noise. I am thinking this is all related to my being a former professional gamer, I used to travel the country playing for money. I played about two hours a day. I held my controller differently than most, and I think this is what caused my hand pain.

Photo -http://dpad.gotfrag.com/files/upload/pla...

I would hover my finger over the buttons sort of like that. It hurt if I did it too long, but it gave me a distinct advantage, so I got used to it.

What kind of injury to you think that would cause? I did this about 2 hours a day for 2 years...

Thanks so much for reading and answering,

Ryan

Answer 1

see a physical therapist or a chiropractor

if it is carpal tunnel syndrome either can help you without surgery

Answer 2

Well the picture doesn't work..But i get the same thing sometimes and its due to Carpol Tunnel in your wrist. Could also be tenninitus.

Both of those would create numbness and and cracking. I have carpol tunnel because i worked on a computer all day....

Try ice packs and some ibprophen for the inflammation. As time goes on the pain will fade and only show up when you aggravate the injury.

Answer 3

You may have carpal tunnel syndrome.  

Answer 4

probably carpal tunnel...excessive repetitive motion problems..see an orthopedist.

Answer 5

picture doesn't work

Answer 6

Your link isn't working, but it sort of sounds like arthritis or carpal tunnel to me.  You should see a doctor to make sure.  

You can feel stiff with arthritis if you stay in one position too much.  The same as if you constantly bend your wrist, it causes compression of the nerves in your wrist and can cause the numbness.  Sometimes the numbness is just in the thumb and first two fingers which is the radial nerve affected, or the last 3 fingers which means the ulnar nerve is affected.  As we get older, it is hard to stay in one position for any length of time before you become stiff and sort of numb.  You didn't say how old you are.

Answer 7

looks like herpes

Answer 8

Hey Ryan,

I tried viewing your picture but it was missing.  Wait a minute... I found it.  You are a GAME boy... right.  Your hand looks like it needs a break.  >grin<

What you are describing sounds like carpel tunnel or maybe a ganglion cyst... or both.  Numbness is a big sign of CTS (carpel tunnel syndrom). I've been there and done that.  Not nice!

You could try a couple of things for relief. That is if you want to avoid surgery... which is what I wish I would have done... you can consider alternative therapy.  You can soak you hand in hot Epson Salts water for starters. That always helped a little for me.  

Then go to your local health food store and get some bentonite clay... or order it online.  Some sites online to consider are:  www.eytonsearth.com & www.aboutclay.com

Make sure it's clean- high grade bentonite clay which has a strong drawing quality.  Make a poultice by applying the jelled clay to you hand.  (It comes in dry powdered form or hydrated jell) Cover it with some clean gauze and wrap it with a elastic bandage to help keep it moist for about an hour or so.  Some people use Saran Wrap if they don't have a bandage.  This helped me by drawing out any inflamation which added to the numbness problem.  If there is a cyst- it usually helps to drain it. You can apply more than one poultice a day for more relief... or leave it on over night, but try to keep it a little moist.

Exercising you hand on a regular basis (other than through gaming) is also a good thing.  Gentle streches and sqeezing a rubber ball does help till you get your muscle tone built back up again.  Go online for CPS exercises.. they have some good ones.

Internally, you might want to consider taking something to help with the joint pain since you have all that cracking going on.  A friend of mine is a sports jock all his life with multiple knee surgeries ... he told me how his doctor had him on OTC stuff called hyalaronic acid and MSM for all his knee injuries.  Believe me... this stuff works if you get a good brand. It's not really that expensive for the better quality stuff either... check around.  It's helped my hand recover from a cyst so big the doctor named it CARL and from CPS... that with using the clay poultices.  You can also drink the clay if your up to it.  Great Plains sells a liquid which is good.

Sorry this turned into a novel. I hope it's not too far off the deep end for you.  But I'm telling you - you do NOT want to have your hand cut open like I did.  It's still not right after seven months. It cost about 6 grand for that surgery too.

Cheers! to your healing...you can do it!

Doro