Hello dear See as per clinical history it seems presence of Minor sprain due to ligament injury Differential diagnosis includes Tendonitis Minor fracture Iam suggesting some medication and precautions for improvement Please follow them for atleast a week Diclofenac sodium gel topical application twice a day for 15 days Voveron xr 50 mg twice a day for 5 days Hot fomentation application twice a day for 5 days Crave bandage application twice a day for 5 days In addition please get following tests done for confirmation of exact diagnosis and best treatment Please share the result with orthopedic surgeon for better clarity CBC Esr X ray Finger USG Ct scan of recommended by orthopedic surgeon Hopefully you recover soon Regards
Hello. Swelling near the wrist and thumb with pain, tingling/numbness, and difficulty gripping objects can occur due to several hand conditions such as: - Tendon inflammation (De Quervain’s tenosynovitis) - Ganglion cyst - Nerve compression - Joint inflammation/arthritis - Tendon or ligament problems around the thumb and wrist
Since your finger movements are still present but grip strength is affected, it suggests irritation or compression around the tendons/nerves rather than complete loss of function. However, because there is swelling plus numbness/tingling, proper orthopedic or hand surgery evaluation is important.
If a doctor has already suggested surgery, it may be because they suspect: - A compressive swelling/cyst - Severe tendon involvement - Nerve compression - Structural problem needing correction
You should ideally get: - Physical examination - X-ray or ultrasound of wrist/hand - MRI if advised - Nerve testing if numbness is significant
For now: - Avoid lifting heavy weights - Avoid repetitive thumb/wrist movements - Use a wrist/thumb splint if available - Continue rest and cold compression
Seek urgent medical attention if: - Swelling rapidly increases - Fingers become weak - Severe numbness develops - Fever/redness appears - Fingers become difficult to move
Final Prescription / Advice: 1. Orthopedic/hand surgeon consultation 2. Wrist/thumb splint support 3. Cold compression 15–20 min, 3–4 times daily 4. Tab. Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicine after food if suitable 5. Imaging (X-ray/USG/MRI) as advised 6. Avoid strain and repetitive hand activity
Further treatment, including whether surgery is truly needed, depends on the exact diagnosis after examination and imaging.
Feel free to reach out again.
Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, D.Fam.Medicine
Hello Thanks for explaining your symptoms. Swelling near the wrist and thumb, along with difficulty holding your fingers (but still being able to move them), suggests there may be a problem with the tendons, nerves, or possibly a growth/cyst in that area. If your doctor has advised an operation, it usually means they suspect something that needs to be released, removed, or repaired—like a tendon sheath problem (such as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis), a ganglion cyst, or nerve compression.
What you should know: - If the swelling is causing weakness, pain, or loss of function, surgery is sometimes the best option to prevent permanent damage. - If you’re unsure or worried, you can always get a second opinion from another orthopedic or hand surgeon before proceeding.
Would you like to share more details about your symptoms, or do you have any specific questions about the operation your doctor suggested?
Thank you
👋 Hi Patient – swelling near wrist/thumb + numbness + grip difficulty = not normal, but surgery may not be the first step.
🔍 Likely causes (without exam):
· De Quervain’s tenosynovitis – inflammation of thumb tendons (very common, causes pain & swelling on thumb side) · Carpal tunnel syndrome – numbness/tingling, grip weakness · Ganglion cyst – soft swelling, may press on nerves
✅ What to do before agreeing to operation:
1. See an orthopedic hand specialist or physiatrist – not just any surgeon 2. Ask for ultrasound or MRI to confirm cause 3. Try non-surgical treatments first (for most cases): · Splint/brace (thumb spica) · NSAIDs (ibuprofen) + ice · Corticosteroid injection – often cures De Quervain’s without surgery · Physiotherapy
⚠️ When surgery is needed:
· Failed 3–6 months of conservative care · Nerve compression with muscle wasting · Persistent cyst causing severe symptoms
🖐️ Don’t rush to operation – get a second opinion from a hand specialist.
— Dr. Nikhil Chauhan
Swelling near the wrist/thumb with pain, numbness/tingling, and difficulty gripping can happen from conditions affecting the tendons, nerves, or joints such as De Quervain Tenosynovitis, ganglion cyst, severe tendon inflammation, or nerve compression. Since your doctor has already discussed surgery/operation, it suggests they may be concerned about significant pressure on structures in the hand or reduced hand function, so it is important to follow up with an Orthopedics or hand surgery specialist for proper evaluation and imaging if advised.
Until then, avoid heavy gripping or repetitive wrist movement, continue rest/ice, and seek urgent medical care if swelling rapidly increases, fingers become weak or blue, severe numbness develops, or you cannot move the hand properly.
Swelling near the wrist and thumb that impacts your ability to grip can suggest several potential causes. One of the more common conditions is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which is inflammation of the tendons around the base of your thumb. The pain and swelling might limit your ability to hold things and could intensify with certain thumb and wrist movements. Another possibility could be carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by compression of the median nerve within the wrist, leading to swelling, pain, and limited grip strength. Ganglion cysts, which are fluid-filled lumps that often form on the wrist, could also cause similar symptoms. Less commonly, arthritis or a traumatic injury might cause swelling and affect finger mobility, and in those cases, underlying joint or bone issues might be present.
When it comes to treatment, if a doctor has suggested surgery, they likely believe the condition has advanced enough or that other treatments have been ineffective. Surgery is often considered when more conservative treatments like splints, corticosteroid injections, or physical therapy have not provided relief. However, before making a decision, it might be worth seeking a second opinion from a specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon or a hand specialist, to evaluate all options.
If you haven’t yet explored non-surgical options, they might include rest and immobilization of the wrist and thumb, anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling, or a tailored physical therapy program to improve function and strength. Be sure to avoid activities that exacerbate the pain, and consider using cold compresses intermittently to manage swelling. If your symptoms worsen or if there’s numbness, tingling, or significant weakness, it’s crucial to follow up promptly with your healthcare provider, as these could indicate nerve involvement that may need more urgent intervention.
