Sometime last December, I suddenly noticed a nagging ache on my right wrist. It was during a weekend drive to the Geelong adventure park when I felt it. I thought it might have been caused by me driving (holding the steering) with one hand, while keeping the wrist at an awkward angle for over 2 hours. After that, I didn't think much of it and just drove with both hands instead, so there's less strain on my right wrist.
That same week, I also decided not to join in the morning workouts at work and let my wrist have a bit more rest. But the following week, I felt that it (the right wrist) was much better and did a couple of workout sessions. Unfortunately, it got worse, to the extent that I get sharp pains when I rotate my wrist in a certain way; and I noticed that having to carry Gracie everyday didn't help.
I decided to go see the doctor and get some professional advice. [Actually I did do a google search on wrist injuries and even considered doing some of the recommended wrist stretching and strengthening exercises; but decided not to risk it] Our family GP had a look at my wrist, asked me some questions, and did some poking and twisting while getting my feedback on pain. Finally, her prognosis was that its mostly likely soft tissue injuries. But to be sure, she sent me to get an x-ray. I went to get that done and went back to her for a follow up a few days later. The good news was, there's no fracture. So its most likely soft tissue injuries. She recommended I go to a hand rehab specialist where they can give me a better diagnosis and suitable treatment. I managed to get an appointment just before the Christmas break which is good because in my mind, the sooner I start treatment, the sooner my wrist will get better.
On my first consultation, my right wrist was subjected to a lot more prodding, nudging, turning and twisting together with measurements of range of movements and strength tests. The final diagnosis by the physiotherapist was de Quervain Tenosynovitis. I won't go into the details but its basically a tendon injury that affects thumb movements and it's usually caused by a combination of overuse and poor hand on wrist posture. Apparently it can be caused by too much baby lifting.
So the treatment was: I had to wear this splint almost full-time for at least 2-3 weeks. I could take off the splint when I shower or when I need to ice the wrist. The point is to restrict movement of my thumb and let the affected tendon rest so that the inflammation will reduce or even go away.
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| Splint |
I wore that for about a day and thought it was really uncomfortable. When I tried to take it out (so that I can ice the affected area), my thumb got stuck and it took a lot of twisting, squeezing and negotiating the splint to get it out. The process was too painful and cumbersome and I decided not to wear it anymore. Fast forward 2 weeks, I saw the therapist again for my first follow up appointment. There wasn't any improvements because I didn't wear the splint very much. She advised me that if I wanted to get any better, the splint was my best bet and I have to keep it on 90% of the time. She did make some adjustments to the splint by remoulding it so that the thumb area was less tight.
So for the second fortnight, I kept the splint on. It was still uncomfortable. But I persevered this time and after a few days, I got used to it. By the second follow up consultation, there was a lot more improvements and I could feel that there was less pain in the wrist. I was given some simple stretching exercises but I still had to keep the splint on most of the time. Then the fortnightly consultations continued for another month where I moved on to stretching and simple strengthening exercises with a Thera Band. By then, I only had to wear the splint when I sleep or when I need to do any heavy lifting (aka carrying Gracie). This was around early March.
The consultations then became monthly and after one in April and another one just last week, I was finally told I don't have to go back anymore. That doesn't mean I am fully recovered; I still have to continue with strengthening exercises using light weights and a bit of stretching. But I guess there is no other help/advise the therapist could give me.
My personal evaluation: it has recovered heaps but it's definitely not 100% and I still feel a bit of stretch or slight aching occasionally. I have a feeling it will never go away - this wrist injury. I will always be a bit more careful especially when I detect any hint of discomfort. Either that or I might temporary forget I have that injury, do something gung-ho with my right hand and cop a little strain. Anyway I reckon for the rest of my existence on earth, I will probably have to continue doing those strengthening exercises for my wrist (on top of the strengthening exercises I do for my left shoulder which suffered a collar bone dislocation more than 10 years ago).
It kinda reminded me of what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9. About how he will boast all the more gladly of his weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on him. When I feel weak and helpless, I know I will turn to Christ and rely on Him. But when things seem to be going well, I will think I am fully capable to take on challenges by myself until something bad happens.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
