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Below the thumb (thenar muscle?) injury

Original Post
Alex H · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2018 · Points: 0

I was working on a problem at my gym that required a mantle move by pressing the left hand. It was a fairly static move but because it had a fairly high foot, I had to put most of my weight on my left palm. Right after the move, the circled area below my left thumb started aching and became very tender. Now it aches when I spread/fully extend my fingers, when I press the circled area, or when I try to pinch something with my thumb and another finger.

I am leaving for a trip tomorrow, so I won’t have time to go see a doctor until I’m back. I wonder if anyone has had a similar injury and how it was dealt with. Thanks!!

Ben L · · Las Vegas · Joined May 2015 · Points: 70

My thumbs been hurting recently.. the pad but also on the top side. I've been massaging it with the wave tool and it's been great. BTW - this thing is awesome for finger massage.. just discovered it from a friend: https://www.amazon.com/Wave-Ultimate-Ergonomic-Adhesions-myofascial/dp/B074M49FWY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1538505761&sr=8-1&keywords=wavetool&dpID=41le38gTk-L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
It's also got a hard plastic 'thumb' which is great to stick into the thumb pad you circled to massage that bit.. like a human thumb which doesn't get tired from pressing. I mean.. I don't know what your issue is and if it will hurt or help you.. just saying what helped my thumb injury in case it's of any use.

I expect a few people might say see a doctor.. fwiw.. if I don't have time to see one I use Doctor on Demand phone app.. you can pretty much get a video consultation within mins for $25 if you put your insurance in.

Shalem Jeldi · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2024 · Points: 0

Bro I feel the same in my left hand after doing pull ups does it take time heal ? It still hurts when I pinch or extend it

Vy Tran · · Bishop, CA · Joined Apr 2022 · Points: 5

This happened to me when I kept hyperextending my thumb repeatedly. Mine was due to weakened thumb from not training pinches and just crimps. I would get swollen in the area you circled and my wrist on the thumb side would throb as well. That in combination from a boulder problems of all underclings, then sleeping in a weird position on the ground destroyed it. It probably got back to 100%, if not stronger, after 8 months? First 3 months I didn’t climb, or rather say couldn’t climb. Then I had a 3 month summer trip outdoors. Climbing outdoors aggravated it much less then climbing indoors. On the trip I would tape my wrist every time I climbed, practically made it 70-80% bearable. After the trip I came back and started doing a lot of pinch blocks, rice bucket, and stretching my wrist out. I’ve never had a problem with it nor hyperextend my thumb anymore. I’m also a beast at pinches now.

Just my experience with an area of injury similar to yours. Probably might not be the same muscles but just my 2 cents. 

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