u/CP1212RJ

I’ve only been doing physical therapy for my hands and wrists for about 3 weeks, but they’ve been hurting so much that I feel like something isn’t right. I have trigger fingers in almost all of my fingers on both hands, and I haven’t had surgery.

The trigger fingers started a while ago and were somewhat improving with steroid injections, hot compresses, massages, and some exercises I was doing on my own. But when it started affecting my thumbs, it felt different, especially because the thumb is such an important part of the hand. Around the same time, I also developed De Quervain’s tendinitis, and later pain on the ulnar side of my wrists especially on the right side, but in both hands.

I’ve been trying to avoid surgery and thought physical therapy would help, but honestly it has felt like the opposite. Since starting therapy, I’ve been waking up with severe wrist pain and pain in the palms of my hands as well.

I’ve done some research, and it seems like many of the exercises I’m doing are more for general wrist tendinitis, while some of the trigger finger exercises like squeezing a ball feel too aggressive for my condition right now. I also haven’t received any ultrasound therapy or treatments focused on reducing inflammation first.

I’m still working and regularly lifting and carrying heavy boxes, so I feel like my hands and wrists are already under a lot of strain. Because of that, I wonder if starting with gentler stretches and inflammation reduction would make more sense before strengthening exercises.

Would it be okay for me to ask them to adjust my therapy program? I’m not sure how to bring it up without sounding like I think I know better than the therapist… I just feel concerned because my symptoms have gotten worse

I’ve only been doing physical therapy for my hands and wrists for about 3 weeks, but they’ve been hurting so much that I feel like something isn’t right. I have trigger fingers in almost all of my fingers on both hands, and I haven’t had surgery.

The trigger fingers started a while ago and were somewhat improving with steroid injections, hot compresses, massages, and some exercises I was doing on my own. But when it started affecting my thumbs, it felt different, especially because the thumb is such an important part of the hand. Around the same time, I also developed De Quervain’s tendinitis, and later pain on the ulnar side of my wrists especially on the right side, but in both hands.

I’ve been trying to avoid surgery and thought physical therapy would help, but honestly it has felt like the opposite. Since starting therapy, I’ve been waking up with severe wrist pain and pain in the palms of my hands as well.

I’ve done some research, and it seems like many of the exercises I’m doing are more for general wrist tendinitis, while some of the trigger finger exercises like squeezing a ball feel too aggressive for my condition right now. I also haven’t received any ultrasound therapy or treatments focused on reducing inflammation first.

I’m still working and regularly lifting and carrying heavy boxes, so I feel like my hands and wrists are already under a lot of strain. Because of that, I wonder if starting with gentler stretches and inflammation reduction would make more sense before strengthening exercises.

Would it be okay for me to ask them to adjust my therapy program? I’m not sure how to bring it up without sounding like I think I know better than the therapist… I just feel concerned because my symptoms have gotten worse