Thumb stuck in straight position - Flexor tendon bad?

[kouichi341]

Hi all. I am a 30 year old male with very mild cerebral palsy and spinal stenosis of the C3 vertebrate.

Up until July 2013, everything was normal with my hands. The area between my pointer and thumb has always shown muscle atrophy but has never been a problem when it came to using my hands effectively. My right thumb became weaker at that time, and then by October, was no longer usable and became stiff/stuck in a "thumbs-up" position.

Since last year in October, I've been unable to pick things up with my thumb on my right hand. Grip has become a problem (when using that thumb), and the only way I can use that finger (even a tiny bit) is to bend my wrist backward, but there is absolutely no strength in that thumb at all.

My doctor says the thumb muscle is still strong, but cannot figure out why I can't bend the thumb or have no grip strength with it. I have had EMGs performed on both hands, arms, and in the neck, and there is no neuromuscular illness present to explain why this is happening. I am trying to find a hand surgeon/specialist that can take a closer took at it and possibly recommend a course of action, but maybe someone here has had a similar situation where their thumb became like that?

What should I do?

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[gerry the neck]

Hi all. I am a 30 year old male with very mild cerebral palsy and spinal stenosis of the C3 vertebrate.

Up until July 2013, everything was normal with my hands. The area between my pointer and thumb has always shown muscle atrophy but has never been a problem when it came to using my hands effectively. My right thumb became weaker at that time, and then by October, was no longer usable and became stiff/stuck in a "thumbs-up" position.

Since last year in October, I've been unable to pick things up with my thumb on my right hand. Grip has become a problem (when using that thumb), and the only way I can use that finger (even a tiny bit) is to bend my wrist backward, but there is absolutely no strength in that thumb at all.

My doctor says the thumb muscle is still strong, but cannot figure out why I can't bend the thumb or have no grip strength with it. I have had EMGs performed on both hands, arms, and in the neck, and there is no neuromuscular illness present to explain why this is happening. I am trying to find a hand surgeon/specialist that can take a closer took at it and possibly recommend a course of action, but maybe someone here has had a similar situation where their thumb became like that?

What should I do?

Hi

Just read your post, and thought I'd comment. I've had Cervical Spondylosis for many years (C3 to C7) with stenosis. As a result, I've had several hand issues including Trigger Thumb (which is the thumb always trying to 'close', opposite to your thumb issue obviously), and clumsy hand (where the middle finger drops about 1 inch, and the power/control is lessened in hand generally). With the clumsy hand issue, I've noticed that another finger (the pinky in this case) attemp[ts to compensate for the dropped finger by always trying to stick upwards. The Trigger Thumb eased back to normal after about 4 months with no interventions. The dropped finger, and raised pinky has been ongoing for 3 years. Just thought I'd mention in case there are any similarities, or if not, so it might help eliminate any neck correlation.

[toddchaney]

You should definitely consult an orthopedic surgeon. You may also try physical therapy, exercise etc.