Yeah, it is crazy stuff, all right, and only my TOSer friends understands.
Let me clarify/explain myself a little more. I've had these injuries since Oct 2000. Been through a lot because of it, tests, doctors/experts, familyand friends, and work don't really depict nor appreciate the extent of my suffering with TOS and co-related diagnoses, treatments and failures and the disappointments I have endured. It has not been fun.
The history of my right thumb turning to a trigger state after an IV in my left hand is hard for the medical community to swallow. It happened just that way, so I know how crazy it gets. I told my sister who is a nurse, and she said "No way that could happen that way," meaning from one side to the other. I told my doctor friend and he just looked at me and grinned and said, "You already had problems and it just got worse." At that time, my thumbs weren't an issue, at all. Maybe a 2, if anything.
So when I got an appointment and got to the specialist in Louisville, they asked me, "What happened?" I said, "I woke up and it was hurting real bad and now it's doing this." The substitute hand specialist - because my specialist was out for his own back surgery - asked "For how long have you had this?" My answer was: "FOR A WHILE." It had actually been 5 1/2 months. (because of ins deductible-long story) He injected my thumb. it help for about a week.
So then I had to schedule another visit down there when my doc came back, April 15th. Thumb in a very painful, trigging state. He is always worth the distance. He injected it, hurt like hell, but lasted (until garden work got it exacerbated-under control now). I could tell the difference in the two doctors. so the doctor you choose makes a difference.
Dr. A asked the same what and how long and got the same answers. He chuckled and grinned, cause he knew he didn't have time for that story and the fix would be the same. I'm guarding my dignity at this point. If the few medical professionals I told didn't believe it could happen that way, then I'm not putting it out there, on record, so to speak.
So I never got it from the doctor that it was or was not related to TOS and/or scalenes. That's just my take on it. I say it's all connected and is related to my auto accident.
Two thumb injections is the limit. any more you risk an irrepairable tendon spilt and/or tears. By the way, the last injection has helped my upper body and arms too. Don't be afraid of the needles. They do help a lot, most of the time. Thumb splinting is okay, but not for the long haul, causes weakness.
PT did little to help my hands and thumbs. They tried and might have gained some, but not to a great degree. Not using them, allowing them to heal after the 2nd injection did help.
I pray you find relief. If you want to know anything in detail, just ask.
