Hand swelling-should I worry?

stargazerscribe
stargazerscribe Posts: 44 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
About 2 weeks ago, at work I has holding something rather heavy in an awkward position in my right arm for about 3-4 hours. My fingers had to balance a very heavy, flat plant tray while I used my other hand to pull plants out and drop them. My fingers hurt for a few days, and then I noticed my right arm tingles sometimes if it stays bent for a while. Along with that, my hand is slightly swollen. Not enough to prevent me from wearing my class ring, but enough to bother me. My forefinger seems the most injured, the joint hurts and it hurts to try and close it. My fingers dont seem to want to close all the way when I try to clench my fist.
The doctors in my town are worthless, so I know I can't go to them. Should I be worried? It's been two weeks with no sign of healing back to normal. Is there something you guys do to get this kind of swelling to go back down? I feel like it's mostly my wrist down, but I could have something going on for my whole arm. Seems worse in the morning. Please help if you have some advice!

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    see a doctor
  • cheryldumais
    cheryldumais Posts: 1,907 Member
    Could be anything and no one on here can diagnose it sight unseen. You need to see a doc. Meantime you can try ice to bring down swelling. You could have a pinched nerve or a damaged tendon or sprained it but who knows could even be a break. See your doc and get an x-ray.
  • stargazerscribe
    stargazerscribe Posts: 44 Member
    Okay, thanks. Theres a chiropractor in town, would he be helpful?
    I asked here first because I wondered if it might be something simple.
  • cheryldumais
    cheryldumais Posts: 1,907 Member
    Yeah, I have to admit my experiences with Chiropractors has not been good. I would see a medical doc. Better safe than sorry.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    Another vote for seeing a doctor. In the meantime, have you been resting the injured arm to give it an opportunity to heal?
  • stargazerscribe
    stargazerscribe Posts: 44 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    stargazerscribe wrote: »
    Okay, thanks. Theres a chiropractor in town, would he be helpful?
    I asked here first because I wondered if it might be something simple.

    something simple would probably have resolved itself in 2 weeks.

    That's true. I kept hoping my body would resolve this itself, but no dice. I haven't had to plant using the heavy trays again, but I have still been using my hands a lot.

    I made an appointment to see the doctor today. Hopefully it's productive
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    stargazerscribe wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    stargazerscribe wrote: »
    Okay, thanks. Theres a chiropractor in town, would he be helpful?
    I asked here first because I wondered if it might be something simple.

    something simple would probably have resolved itself in 2 weeks.

    That's true. I kept hoping my body would resolve this itself, but no dice. I haven't had to plant using the heavy trays again, but I have still been using my hands a lot.

    I made an appointment to see the doctor today. Hopefully it's productive

    An x-ray will assuage any and all queries about the pain you're dealing with. Hopefully, your Dr orders one for you today.
  • maureenkhilde
    maureenkhilde Posts: 849 Member
    You need to report this to people at work first. So that your work pays for this. If a minor issue not end of world. But what if something is damaged, and needs shots, xrays, Physical therapy who knows surgery. If the injury happened at work. And depending what country, then work medical should cover it not your own medical insurance.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    It sounds like carpal tunnel or some other similar repetitive motion injury. Definitely go to the doctor and get a real diagnosis.

    In the interim before you can get an appointment, try some anti-inflammatory like Advil or Feverfew or something similar. Generally healing can't really begin until you can get the swelling under control and it will be easier for your doctor to examine and correctly diagnose if you the swelling is down. Just be sure to tell him/her that it was swollen and what you took and how often.

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