Pain in joints around ring finger. Long hours with computer, keyboard and mouse
I am a 29 year old male with normally good health. My job is pretty demanding (whose isn't these days?) and as a result, I need to put in long hours sitting in front of the computer. I've noticed over the last 2 weeks, that the joints around my ring finger (above and around the knuckle) hurt when I use the mouse. The area on my palm that extends to the ring finger also feels tender. I wake up with the ring finger feeling stiff and when I touch the area around the knuckle joint, the muscle/bone feel sore and tender.
It started out as a minor inconvenience 2 weeks ago but the pain has been increasing over the last 2 weeks. I can type without a problem, but using a mouse definitely worsens it. I bought an ergonomic mouse pad and that seems to be providing some temporary relief from the pain but that's not the solution.
I've also noticed that over the last month or two that I've had crack my knuckles when I wake up because it feels like there's pressure trapped between the knuckle joints. I try to stay away from this but if I do, it feels like the pressure is building inside the joints.
I need to make an appointment soon to go see a doctor, but I just wanted to know if there were any others out there who have these symptoms?
Re: Pain in joints around ring finger. Long hours with computer, keyboard and mouse
I suppose you could have repetative use syndrome, probably not uncommon these days with computer overuse. Could be carpal tunnel. It is interesting though that it is predominately the ring finger. Have your doc to have a good look and feel around of the palm aspect of your ring and little finger. You can feel that area yourself and compare sides. If there is any thickening and or extra tenderness you could have Dupuytrens contracture just beginning, starts as early as 30. Google it. It is not that common. Let us know how the sides compare.
James
Re: Pain in joints around ring finger. Long hours with computer, keyboard and mouse
Quote:
Originally Posted by james079
I suppose you could have repetative use syndrome, probably not uncommon these days with computer overuse. Could be carpal tunnel. It is interesting though that it is predominately the ring finger. Have your doc to have a good look and feel around of the palm aspect of your ring and little finger. You can feel that area yourself and compare sides. If there is any thickening and or extra tenderness you could have Dupuytrens contracture just beginning, starts as early as 30. Google it. It is not that common. Let us know how the sides compare.
James
Thanks for your quick response James. I apologize for not getting back sooner but the long weekend came about and I got busy. I did go to my GP and he thinks that it is a strained tendon. He prescribed some NSAIDs and told me to check back in two weeks. He doesn't seem to know much about issues with the hand but I'll go to a hand specialist if this gets worse.
The good news is that the pain/soreness is going away. On the advice of my physical therapist (dealing with lower back issues as well) I'm doing hand stretches which are helping. Btw, I looked into Dupuytren's contracture - interesting though not sure if I'm a possible candidate for that as my race is rarely affected by the disorder.
Re: Pain in joints around ring finger. Long hours with computer, keyboard and mouse
You know, I get that a lot. Went to a doctor who didn't say anything useful, but I've found that massaging the muscles in the forearm can help a lot. Sometimes I find one particular muscle is tense as a brick.
