Nobody Warns You About the Thumb

Just thought it was cute

Lately, my left thumb joint has gone from aching to "dang, that hurts."

Apparently, decades of knitting, scrolling on my phone with a death grip, turning the steering wheel with one hand, opening jars, carrying grocery bags, and generally using my left hand like I consider normal has finally pushed the nerve alarm button.

The pain sits right at the base of my thumb and into the padded part of my hand. It even has an official name: CMC thumb arthritis.

From what I’ve read, the joint at the base of the thumb gets worn down over time. The cushioning cartilage thins out, the bones start rubbing together, and suddenly, everyday activities become painful.

In hindsight, maybe my thumb had been sending warning notices for years.

I just kept knitting through them. Remember, I am a scarf knitter. Years and years of filling my time while talking or watching TV, and knitting another scarf. Worst part – we don’t even need scarves in Texas. I had thought about quitting anyway because I was beginning to see myself as Miss Marple with a knitting bag always in my hand! I just had not found something to replace it

And yet, oddly enough, I’m not depressed about it. Annoyed? Yes. But also fascinated. Because now I understand why older people become passionate about things like jar openers, ergonomic tools, Velcro, and saying, “Oh, this cream really works.”

By the way, the thumb brace actually does help. So does Voltaren gel. I have not figured out a workaround solution for holding my cell in my left hand while scrolling with my right. I’m going to try one of those pop-up things. I had one once, but it kept my cell from sticking to the magnetic holder on the dash. So, I don’t know.

Apparently, doctors also recommend using larger-handled tools, avoiding pinching motions, gentle thumb exercises (which seem counterintuitive to me since they hurt), heat for stiffness, ice for swelling, and occasionally admitting that maybe we should stop wrestling with jars by ourselves. Yes, tell that to the pill bottle makers.

Still, I suppose this is part of retirement, too. Learning new ways to care for ourselves instead of constantly pushing through pain. And honestly, if wearing a thumb brace lets me keep gardening, writing, and pushing Bonnie Rae around in her stroller, then hand me the Velcro and call it wisdom.

 More later ...