Right hand is knackered.

[Peat]

I have developed an issue in my right hand that is threatening my ability to ride a bike.

In certain orienations, mainly when on the hoods, I get a spasm and shooting pain in my hand inbetween my thumb and index finger. It's so painful that I can't not release my grip. Bit of a problem when holding onto a handlebar.

I thought I may have just sprained my wrist. I didn't get the symptoms when on the tops or drops or riding a flat bar bike. But now it's there too.

It's not consistent with the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel, the problem seems to be the Dorsal Interosseous muscle. I found a trigger point release technique (https://www.painalog.com/trigger-point-pain-from-first-dorsal-interosseous-trigger-point-one-and-how-to-find-relief/) but it bloody hurts. There is a very noticeable difference in the tissue between my left and right hand, it feels very hard and inflamed.

I'm trying to isolate my right hand for now. I've switched to using my left for the mouse etc(very frustrating, but getting there).

I don't see the point in taking it to my GP and I don't think the physio will have a clue. Are there hand specialists?

Worried.

[T42]

Dunno about the UK but there's an emergency hand clinic near us.  I should think you'd find one quite easily.

I wouldn't second-guess my GP, though.

[chrisbainbridge]

yes there are hand specialists.  Very little info and short history all make diagnosis difficult.

A sprain or tear in the region is possible.

Cubital tunnel syndrome can present like this (not in the textbooks, expert level knowledge)

i would suggest seeing a physio first

A hand expert

[Morat]

I'd certainly give the GP a chance, and a referral from your GP wouldn't stop you going to see the physio/whatever of your choice.

[barakta]

In my experience if you can afford and want rapid advice your local sports physio is a good first point of contact and you can ask them if they have any hand physio types who work with them as they often have partnerships. Not much beats a pro being able to prod and look at your hand for themselves and advise you well.

[Peat]

Thanks all.

I have a regular physio i'm seeing for another injury, I'll see what/who he recommends.

I have tried to isolate the hand as much as possible with a wrist brace, but it's eye-opening just how much that little muscle does in everyday tasks that you take for granted. Little tasks like gripping a door handle or picking something up.

Interestingly, when I manipulate the muscle trigger point, the pain refers around the palm of my hand and into the pinky. I often have trouble with numbness there during riding. In April, I did the HoE300 and forgot my gloves, so rode bare handed. I had pins and needles in my right pinky for a day or two. I reckon i may have inflicted some nerve damage.

Looks like i'm taking up running for a while.

[T42]

Shimano's 6800 STIs are much narrower than earlier models, and that lets your hands ride onto them, putting pressure on that muscle.  Since I got mine four years ago I occasionally get cramp there after a ride.  Not as badly as you seem to, though - I can always stretch it away.

[hellymedic]

Though I would defer to any hand expert, my initial thought was this was spasm in the adductor pollicis, which is supplied by the ulnar nerve.

The ulnar nerve is prone to handlebar induced compression.

[DuncanM]

There are hand specialist physios. If your physio can't recommend one, then it might be worth checking with the local hospital physio unit - they may have someone who does private work as well as NHS work. That was how my GP found one for me when I had damaged my thumb.