Back of Hand Pain (Dominant Hand)

[jchamilt]

I am a 73 yo championship tennis player who has developed pain over the last 3 months on the back side of my dominant hand and I play only one hand. The pain is dull when not playing tennis and is no problem. When I start to play my hand feels OK. After about 10 minutes of hitting, I am starting to get pain only on my forehand and it gets worse while playing. I have seen two orthopedic surgeons who specialize in hands and they cannot get excited about my problem. I have been Rx Voltaren 1% gel 4x a day. It only helps for about 30 minutes. I am doing stretching and ice. One of the specialists said when it hurts enough he can do surgery. The MRI report noted that most of the problems mentioned in the report are in my wrist, but the pain is where the superficial skin marker was overlying the dorsal aspect of the proximal diametaphsis of the third and fourth metacarpals (back of hand). Has anyone had such a problem / pain? What would surgery do? You would think I would know this from talking to the hand surgeons. They seem to have more importan things on their minds. As I said previously, I think the surgeons do not feel very concerned about his as I do.
Here is the IMPRESSION from the MRI
1. There are findings consistent for a ganglion cyst overlying the dorsum of the capitate bone measuring 1.2 x 0.6 x 1.3 cm. This is proximal to a superficial skin marker placed along the dorsal aspect of the proximal diametaphysis of third the fourth metacarpal joint. A small third metacarpal boss is present.
2. Partially characterized osteoarthritis is identified involving the first carpometacarpal joint, triscaphe joint, proximal pole of the hamate, and pisiform-triquetral articulation. Dedicated wrist MRI is offered for further characterization, as clinically warranted.
3. Subchondral cystic changes are present involving the ulnar aspect of the second metacarpal head with vague osseous edema involving the ulnar aspect of the third metacarpal head.
4 The flexor and extensor tendons are intact and unremarkable.
5. Medial and lateral collateral ligaments are intact and unremarkable.

 

[ollinger]

As I said previously, I think the surgeons do not feel very concerned about his as I do

...…..and why would they??!! Two orthopedists and nothing in your post that could be called a diagnosis?? Very strange. I'll assume it's arthritis, in which case there isn't a tremendous amount to be done, and surgery seems unlikely in this case. Don't post again until at least one of the orthopedists has suggested a diagnosis.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I am a 73 yo championship tennis player who has developed pain over the last 3 months on the back side of my dominant hand and I play only one hand. The pain is dull when not playing tennis and is no problem. When I start to play my hand feels OK. After about 10 minutes of hitting, I am starting to get pain only on my forehand and it gets worse while playing. I have seen two orthopedic surgeons who specialize in hands and they cannot get excited about my problem. I have been Rx Voltaren 1% gel 4x a day. It only helps for about 30 minutes. I am doing stretching and ice. One of the specialists said when it hurts enough he can do surgery. The MRI report noted that most of the problems mentioned in the report are in my wrist, but the pain is where the superficial skin marker was overlying the dorsal aspect of the proximal diametaphsis of the third and fourth metacarpals (back of hand). Has anyone had such a problem / pain? What would surgery do? You would think I would know this from talking to the hand surgeons. They seem to have more important things on their minds. As I said previously, I think the surgeons do not feel very concerned about his as I do.

I'm with @ollinger - what is their diagnosis beyond what the MRI shows and what would they do if the operated?

The phrases "they cannot get excited about my problem" and "the surgeons do not feel very concerned about his as I do" imply they believe it is either not a big deal or there is little they can do about it. Those are two different conclusions so which one is it [or both]?

 

[jchamilt]

I just wish that they would look further for a reason. I have only played for 65+ years without this problem. I didn't mention that there is a ganglion cyst just proximal to the pain marker, but they do not think that is the problem. Thanks for posting. I need all the help I can get. I would have posted the mri report if I found an easy way to do that.

 

[kramer woodie]

I am a 73 yo championship tennis player who has developed pain over the last 3 months on the back side of my dominant hand and I play only one hand. The pain is dull when not playing tennis and is no problem. When I start to play my hand feels OK. After about 10 minutes of hitting, I am starting to get pain only on my forehand and it gets worse while playing. I have seen two orthopedic surgeons who specialize in hands and they cannot get excited about my problem. I have been Rx Voltaren 1% gel 4x a day. It only helps for about 30 minutes. I am doing stretching and ice. One of the specialists said when it hurts enough he can do surgery. The MRI report noted that most of the problems mentioned in the report are in my wrist, but the pain is where the superficial skin marker was overlying the dorsal aspect of the proximal diametaphsis of the third and fourth metacarpals (back of hand). Has anyone had such a problem / pain? What would surgery do? You would think I would know this from talking to the hand surgeons. They seem to have more important things on their minds. As I said previously, I think the surgeons do not feel very concerned about his as I do.

jchamilt

Like you I am 73 year old tennis player and have pain close to the same area, but closer to the wrist. I bought a WristWidget, seems to help some.
Limits the amount of wrist lag I get on my forehand. Now as for pinched nerves in the neck and shoulder blade area and tingling sensations in the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and hand. Also, a broken 5th metacarpal on a 30 degree bias many years ago, which was set, not operated on.

I told the hand specialist I was not concerned about cosmetics (avoided hospital cost on top of a 5000$ doctor fee) so only cost me 1300$ to have
it set.

I say just play on!!! That's what I do, ignore the pain and have fun running around the court smacking the ball. Plus hope it heals over time by itself.
Of course, I have always had pains of some kind in this 73 year adventure on the planet.

Aloha

 

[jchamilt]

...…..and why would they??!! Two orthopedists and nothing in your post that could be called a diagnosis?? Very strange. I'll assume it's arthritis, in which case there isn't a tremendous amount to be done, and surgery seems unlikely in this case. Don't post again until at least one of the orthopedists has suggested a diagnosis.

I have added the MRI impressions