Very sore hand

[vickster]

I have developed pain in my right hand - mainly the thumb and moves into my wrist- hurts when lifting, pulling, typing. It has been gradually getting worse over the last month I'd say

I am pretty sure it's due to cycling (this past time is proving bad for my joints), although until the last couple of days, cycling itself hasn't hurt. I think it may be from using the crosslevers on my road bike. I have only been cycling outside for about 6 weeks (following surgery on my elbow on the other arm ), up until then I had been on the exercise bike a lot this year (no braking but gripping).

I always wear gloves / mitts when riding, on the road bike I most hold the hoods, with my hands resting on the bends of the bars.

I am seeing the quack on Friday, I would see my physio but he's on holiday - expect to be told to stay off the bike which isn't really an acceptable option for a number of reasons. I could ride the hybrid, or try braking from the hoods more but I like the reassurance of the crosslevers in traffic. My left arm still isn't back to full strength so I am kind of reliant on the right!

Planning to commute to work this week and have a long ride planned on Saturday

Any other thoughts or tips?

 

[Monsieur Remings]

The positioning of the hoods may be problematic for you...? Where do you shift from and how much distance is there between both the shifting/braking position and where you normally place your hands? I know you've mentioned something similar above but the hoods could be moved to suit a better, less stressed/stretched position for your hand?

Also, how tight do you grip and do you maintain the same position throughout the ride?

Just a few thoughts I know which you've probably covered but you never know. Good luck.

 

[vickster]

Thanks for the reply

I normally brake on the bars, with thumb hooked round bar when braking. I have to move my hand to change gear (Tiagra shifters). I don't feel especially stretched out, but it can be hard to tell

Mostly I ride palms on bends of the bars with fingers outside the hoods and thumb inside - I don't think I grip very hard mostly unless braking ...I had to get on the bike to check this

My arm has been a bit sore since this started, physio had a go at it last time I saw him. He's had me doing wall pushouts to help the elbow which haven't helped I think either and I've stopped doing them

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Blimey, replies a bit thin on the ground so either way I wish you the best of luck. Another physio might take another approach.

I see you live in Sutton! I have very fond memories of visiting Sutton as a child - my mum's parents lived there and I adored my Grandmother. They lived on Hurstcourt Road.

 

[fossyant]

Just read this post !

You can sometimes strain the ligaments in the hand & wrist. I've got something similar in my left wrist - runs from my thumb into the wrist. I can't carry anything with my palm facing upwards without lots of pain. Had this a couple of months.

I can ride the bike OK, with little pain, even climbing steep hills no bother. What I recon I've done is sleep on the hand in a funny position and possibly had it bent at an angle. Last time this happened I wore a wrist bandage for a couple of months, just at night, and was cautious where I put my arm. This worked last time, and is working now.

Just one of those things. Ligaments take an age to heal.

 

[Rob3rt]

Just read this post !

You can sometimes strain the ligaments in the hand & wrist. I've got something similar in my left wrist - runs from my thumb into the wrist. I can't carry anything with my palm facing upwards without lots of pain. Had this a couple of months.

I can ride the bike OK, with little pain, even climbing steep hills no bother. What I recon I've done is sleep on the hand in a funny position and possibly had it bent at an angle. Last time this happened I wore a wrist bandage for a couple of months, just at night, and was cautious where I put my arm. This worked last time, and is working now.

Just one of those things. Ligaments take an age to heal.

Same thing, from holding onto tri bars that are not a good fit for an hour at a time in the recent windy conditions and while rattling over Cheshire's lovely lanes!. Both wrists for several weeks now, need some J bend extensions!

 

[vickster]

Cheers guys

Will see what the doc says. Unfortunately this time it's the right hand, bucket loads of pain today trying to type at work

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I had a similar problem two years ago. At first I couldn’t figure what was causing it but then I remembered that I had changed my saddle and the new riding position what not quite the same I had before. Readjusted the saddle again and things got better but it took quite some time before the pain went away. maybe as long as 12 months.

Hope you find and solve the problem. Not a nice feeling for sure.

 

[vickster]

I am not exactly sure where it is coming from - my whole hand can ache and indeed my arm

 

[Zofo]

I had a similar problem with pains in my right hand/arm and up into the back of my shoulder. As obvious as it might sound, I tracked it back to simply overusing my right hand for everything. Especially stuff like using a mouse and texting etc all with the right hand -on top of everything else, eating, writing, brushing teeth, opening doors etc etc. I cured myself by consciously favouring my left hand as much as possible, and guess what , I've been pain free ever since.
Might work for you too.

 

[fossyant]

You do know what the Doctor will say ? Rest it, don't cycle. Your reply is 'what ever' and carry on !

Just get a sports support for it and continue what you are doing. I think the current medical thinking with ligaments is carry on using them, but don't over do it. They are best used, and not strapped up.

 

[vickster]

You are probably right, however if he suggests physio, I'll need to have seen the GP before Bupa wll pay up for more sessions for the new issue (they aren't keen on paying for more physio for the elbow even though it's an unlimited corporate policy)

I don't know if it is ligaments, what having tennis elbow is that you can get referred pain in all sorts of places far from troublesome spot!

Regarding overuse, I am 40, right handed and this is a relatively recent issue. Now it may of course be down to overusing it to compensate for the post op weakness in the left, but I don't know...

We shall see

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

You are probably right, however if he suggests physio, I'll need to have seen the GP before Bupa wll pay up for more sessions for the new issue (they aren't keen on paying for more physio for the elbow even though it's an unlimited corporate policy)...

Whilst I was in my physio recently (last week IIRC) I overheard another patient talking with my physio regarding Bupa cover. apparently the T&C's have changed in the last few weeks and you don't need a GP referral now to get covered, but please speak with your physio regarding this. my existing care is not covered by my BUPA cover, so I have not looked into it further.

 

[vickster]

Cheers. I expect it depends on policy to policy - you don't need to see a GP to pay to see a physio, but for our corporate policy, Bupa do seem to want a GP to say physio is required...ditto to see a Consultant (even if the specialist doesn't need a GP referral as happened in Feb when I saw my knee doc)

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Cheers. I expect it depends on policy to policy - you don't need to see a GP to pay to see a physio, but for our corporate policy, Bupa do seem to want a GP to say physio is required...ditto to see a Consultant (even if the specialist doesn't need a GP referral as happened in Feb when I saw my knee doc)

this guy was not paying, it was a new condition and he went direct to the physio with no GP referal on a corporate policy. I understand the change is really recent, like 2 weeks ago, so it could be worth an enquiring phone call to your physio who will be able to let you know - (I can't use our bupa cover (also corporate) for mine is a pre-existing condition - dog bite).