I have spoken many times here about my aches and pains, always pointing a finger at age and stupidity on my part. My neck has continuously taken a toll from falling asleep in weird positions, sitting at my computer in a non-ergonomic chair, laying on the couch too long watching TV; all of these my fault. My thumb joint on my left hand is another reoccurring hindrance, gradually getting worse. I have been wearing a thumb splint during the hours not working as much as possible, but to no avail the pain has gradually increased. The new thumb brace came today and I am wearing it as I type, happy to see it less bulky and more functional for work. I can easily put a glove over my hand and splint while cooking, which will help with immobilizing the joint while keeping the functionality of my hand.
While waiting for my delivery, I noticed the knot in the joint getting larger and the focal point of the pain in my hand when the joint is in a resting position. In the past, I have had medical issues with this wrist, all centred around a ganglion in my wrist. I had surgery in my early 20s to remove the cyst because it was creating a decreased range of motion in the joint, and could result in my wrist locking. After the surgery, the cyst returned 10 years, in a slightly different position, allowing my wrist to move freely. The bump used to get so big I would hide it with wrist coverings: bracelets, bandanas, long sleeves. I finally adopted to lump and made jokes about it, not hiding it at all. I found out many other people had similar diagnoses and were really interested in the ongoing state of my cyst. I told people it was another thumb trying to grow out of my hand, my body seeing how busy I was and trying to evolve to help me. I also drew a mountain peak on the bump topping the highest point with snow and a tiny skier.When I went to a doctor about it, the clinician asked me if it hurt or if it hindered my range of motion while working. With my negative response he said to let it be, it would disappear, or rather drain back into my wrist and deflate. If I wanted to accelerate to process I could hit it with a book. WHAT? I laughed and he nodded saying it would "pop" it, draining the cyst. If you look at this diagnosis online it is actually true. Well, I tried it but it hurt, so I continued treating it like an extra appendage until one day I woke up, and while drinking my first coffee of the day I noticed the bump was gone! I felt the flattened spot where it was and it felt like a deflated little balloon was just under the skin. I was so happy to see this stupid thing gone, I had a going-away party for it! Similarly to a plantar wart, I had on my finger, which I had treated with numerous OTC remedies, which miraculously disappeared after treating it with apple cider vinegar nightly for 5 days.
Currently, the knot in my thumb joint had me thinking it was another ganglion, returning to haunt me in my 50s, so I started searching the internet for metacarpal phalangeal cysts (pulled that outta my old anatomy courses) and came across the exact symptoms I have been experiencing. Similarly to the ganglion, I was looking up, the knot in my MCP joint is due to Trigger Thumb. The symptoms are a snapping or popping sensation in your thumb, soreness at the base of the thumb, especially when gripping items, and pain and stiffness when bending the thumb. Jackpot! There are many treatments non-surgical and surgical. I have chosen the conservative treatment of the MKO CMC Brace which I received in the mail today. This immobilizes the joint to rest it and reduce the inflammation and pain. If it gets worse, phase 2 would be to investigate surgical procedures. I guess it will all depend on how it will affect my work, similar to the wrist ganglion I had over 30 years ago.
I was investigating the symptoms I came across a few articles renaming the catchphrase Trigger Thumb to Texting Thumb. Apparently technology is involved in this increasingly popular injury in younger patients. Because of our freaking mobile phones and computers, interesting symptoms have arisen creating pain all over our bodies. Pain can occur in necks, thumbs, wrists, backs, and shoulders all as a result of overuse and bad posture. The hunched-over silhouette of a teen with a Gameboy probably started it all, nevermind the introduction of the computer and worse the lap-top and tablet. The more we spend time on these items of technology, the more we hurt. It's no wonder why my neck pain and back pain gets better when I am working. The physicality of being a Chef is obviously stressful, and causes mental and physical symptoms, but my back and neck pain only increased when technology was introduced. Working on inventories on the computer for hours in a bad chair, combined with my determination to complete the task without stretching breaks, all contributed my reoccurring back and neck pain. Now my cell phone has attacked me, causing my thumb to be splinted, another pain to add to my list of ageing issues.Technology is wonderful, but we all need to remember that humans are not sedentary beings. Our bodies are meant to move fully, not just our fingers typing or texting away for hours. This time of Covid-19 has taken exercise away from all of us. Self-isolation and lockdowns have closed our 21st Century exercise outlets, "the gym". People can't simply go out and exercise in some cities and need to use their own little spaces to workout. I am not a gym-person. I love the outside and love walking. That is my main exercise, although if anyone has seen my legs, they show my time standing daily at work and at play, those darn spider veins lining my fair skin. Regardless of what we are use to doing to get our body moving, let's all take the time to put the mobile phone down, close up the lap-top, power down the PC. Get outside, stretch those neck, back and shoulder muscles. Stop overusing the hands and fingers, and rest them while enjoying some rest time. Exercise your lungs with some fresh air, exercise your eyes with some natural light, exercise your mind with some natural connections.
The rain has stopped, after a stormy night. It's cooler than the past weekend, perfect for a nice walk. I'm gonna head out now!