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Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 5/21/2008 2:29:32 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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Okay. Popping knuckles, but not just the common ones kids pop. Here's the deal:
I have an injury to both thumbs, the left far more severe than the right, from a repeated action I stopped doing over a year ago. The thumbs continued to hurt and have a deep burning sensation down into the fatty area below the thumb.
Later, the left one's first joint began to stop when I would try to bend it for common use. How shall I describe that? I bend it, but rather than bending smoothly, it kind of stops, like when one snaps (a feeling, not a sound) a plastic purse shut.
After that, I would wake in the night to find my left thumb bent at the first joint, hurting, and it would take strong, firm pressure with my other hand to open it again. It felt like it was going to stay bent, if I didn't do something about it.
So I started wrapping it daily in medical tape, to keep my thumb straight. I did this a couple weeks, then only at night for another week.
I got to thinking about my chiropractor, who would pop certain joints, and when they popped, she would say, "There! That will get the beneficial juices flowing in those joints!" So I started trying to pop my first thumb joints, then the main thumb joints.
At first, they would not pop, which was interesting, because they popped easily when I was young. After a few weeks of this, the first joints began to pop, then finally, the second joint on my right hand popped once. Today, for the first time, I think my second joint on my left thumb (the worse) made a tiny pop. I think it is helping, but I wonder what you know.
When I was a child, we were warned not to pop knuckles, because it would cause arthritis. It seems that possibly my chiropractor might disagree. Do you know anything about this? Do you have any other suggestions?
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Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 5/21/2008 9:28:43 AM
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agapetos
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quote:
When I was a child, we were warned not to pop knuckles, because it would cause arthritis. We were warned about this too! Later I heard it was an old wives tale.
I'm sorry, I can't suggest anything except maybe having a word with your chiropractor and see what she says?
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 5/21/2008 7:55:19 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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Wish I could. Since my daughter got sick, I just can't seem to find the time. My chiropractor is pretty far away, so it takes a long time to get there, get treatment, and get back. 
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Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 5/21/2008 8:44:13 PM
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Ps103
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quote:
When I was a child, we were warned not to pop knuckles, because it would cause arthritis. It seems that possibly my chiropractor might disagree. Do you know anything about this?
I think that is just, as Aga said, the tale of old wives who didn't know what they were talking about. Cracking knuckles just moves nitrogen bubbles around--or whatever the Orthopedic said through his laughter when I asked him about that 
But, so you won't feel all alone, Abi, my own sainted mother told me the same thing. I always cracked my knuckles when I was nervous (when I was younger--cvan;t seem to get a satifying crack out of 'em anymore.)
She was very sick, and in the hospital once, and we were waiting for some test results. Her roommate was a very sweet little old lady with a severe speech impediment due to some arthritis in her spine and jaw. While we were waiting and talking, I started cracking away, and Mother admonished "Don't do that--it will give you arthritis!" And her roommate managed to say "That's not what gave me mine!"
The three of us cackled for a good hour over that 
They sell things to straighten your toes, so I do not know why your wrapping your fingers would not have a similar effect.
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 5/21/2008 9:01:06 PM
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agapetos
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Abiyah ~ would she talk to you on the phone?
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 5/22/2008 12:13:00 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ps103
She was very sick, and in the hospital once, and we were waiting for some test results. Her roommate was a very sweet little old lady with a severe speech impediment due to some arthritis in her spine and jaw. While we were waiting and talking, I started cracking away, and Mother admonished "Don't do that--it will give you arthritis!" And her roommate managed to say "That's not what gave me mine!"
Oh, too cute! I love it!
I do think there is a possibility that cracking the joints might give some relief. I seem to be improving (slightly) either over time or because of the cracking, and I would lay money on the cracking. Wrapping the worst thumb is helping, but it really gets in the way at work. I think, though, that I need to continue wrapping that thumb at night.
quote:
ORIGINAL: agapetos
Abiyah ~ would she talk to you on the phone?
I kind of hate to do that, because she absolutely bends over backwards to keep her prices low. Maybe I need to just bite the bullet next week and go. In fact, maybe my daughter would like to go! My daughter is the one who told me about her! Hm-m-m-m.
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Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 5/31/2008 12:10:03 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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Well, my daughter didn't want to go, so I didn't press the issue. Now, I wish I had gone. This morning, upon waking, I had a real hard time straightening my thumb, even though I was pulling it with my other hand to do it. I had forgotten to wrap it last night. I fear I am about to use partial use of that thumb. I am going to have to see my chiropractor about it this coming week.
< Message edited by Covaan_Meshuga -- 5/31/2008 12:16:16 AM >
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Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 7/10/2008 1:26:12 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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Wrote out a post on this, and it disappeared. Nice.
Bottom line: if I had gone to the chiropractor about this months ago when it happened, I would not have suffered so long. I am much better since my Monday and Wednesday visits ot the chiropractor. She manipulated this and that in my hands and thumbs, popped this and that, and it's working. I am now in a brace, and I am to ice my thumb every evening.
Asked about popping knuckles, and basically, if it is done twice a day, it is actually very good for the joints. More is not. Statistically, popping the knuckles actually helps to prevent arthritis.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 7/10/2008 1:37:16 PM
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GroupW
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I would also suspect some tendonitis. I have similar issues in my right hand. (Bad knews-it's been chronic for about 15 years now, but manageable.)
Items of advice I received from doctors:
- the wrapping overnight is fine, but don't go overboard and don't stay wrapped for long.
- try aspercreme. It reduces inflammation by concentrating the anti inflammatant where it's most needed.
- the ice is a great idea
- a physical therapist can suggest some exercises that can provide some relief. Worth the 75 bucks.
- If it's one thumb, is the one that you mouse with on the 'puter? If so, strongly consider switching on and off with the other hand. There's something about mousing that can be extremely irritating to the thumb.
Those are the tidbits I've received. Try them at your own risk!
BT
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RE: Sr Citizen, Popping Joints, and Severe Joint Problems - 7/10/2008 1:43:41 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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Yeah, the problem is unique in that I can't take meds except for extreme pain -- as in pain that is about a 7 or above. Long story.
Fortunately, it's not my mouse thumb! Thankfully! But it is the thumb on my left hand, and I am left-handed.
The brace is for the base of my thumb, to stablize it and my wrist. She said that the injury goes into my wrist, although the main pain is in the first joint of my thumb. It is temporary -- for about three weeks.
Thank you!!!
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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