From Frustration to Freedom: An Athletic Art Teacher Finally Conquers Left-Side Thumb and Wrist Pain Through Surgery

It’s hard to think about anything else when you have a nagging pain, especially if it’s so disruptive that it keeps you from doing what you love. That was the case for Kirstie F.—a dedicated wife, young mom of two, hands-on educator, and avid CrossFitter—who started to experience thumb and wrist pain unexpectedly when putting pressure on either her hands (or using them to make simple movements, like squeezing, grasping, pinching, or gripping). 

Although she was able to eliminate conditions like hand rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome as the cause of her pain, for ten years, Kirstie tried everything. Still, her pain continued and seemed like it would never go away—until she got expert care from a specialist recommended by a friend.

This is her story.

---

Kirstie F.’s Patient Story

Hometown: Carmel, IN
Age: 34

Out of Nowhere Ouch

I remember my thumb and wrist pain coming out of the blue. 

I first noticed my wrists hurt when I tried to put pressure on them doing presses and burpees at CrossFit. They bothered me whenever I tried to lift things at home. Being unable to bend my thumbs like before also meant I couldn’t demonstrate certain techniques to students in my ceramics classes.

I had to figure out how to deal with it as it progressed. My mobility was really restricted.

A Search for Relief

At first, I went to an orthopedic doctor who gave me cortisone shots, and I did that for a long time before I realized they weren’t really working anymore. 

I knew I needed to do something else to fix my thumb and wrist pain. So, I went to another orthopedic doctor who sent me to see a rheumatologist to get tested to see if the cause was rheumatoid arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, but it wasn’t.

At the doctor’s recommendation, I ended up taking some type of medication (to help with inflammation) and splinting to see if either of these would make a difference, but neither worked. Then, I went to a chiropractor for deep tissue massage and dry needling to see if they would help my wrist problems.

I told someone at my gym how I wasn’t getting anywhere, and they recommended that I make an appointment with Nicholas E. Crosby, M.D., at Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center.

The Turning Point

The first time I saw Dr. Crosby, he was super friendly and made me feel like I had known him for ages. I started by explaining everything that was happening with both of my wrists and how I was struggling with grip strength. 

The whole diagnosis and treatment planning happened in one appointment. Dr. Crosby was very thorough yet to the point. He asked me questions and ordered X-rays, which we looked at together. The scans showed that I have arthritis, and he pointed out the specific areas that showed the erosion of my left thumb.

Dr. Crosby told me that he usually suggests this and that to patients, but—since I had literally done everything already—he recommended having surgery to fix what was causing my thumb and wrist pain.

My husband was at the appointment with me. Together, we asked some basic questions, like how big the incision would be, how long the surgery would take, and how long I’d be in a splint after. Dr. Crosby confidently provided all of the answers I had been waiting for. He knew what was wrong and went out of his way to make me feel comfortable about taking the next step, so that’s why I agreed to have surgery on my left side right there and then.

What Surgery Revealed

The surgery for my thumb and wrist pain was quick. It was a multiple surgeries procedure that included:

• Left wrist arthroscopy with TFC debridement,
• Left wrist arthroscopic partial synovectomy,
• Left first dorsal compartment release, left 1st CMC joint denervation with excision of lateral antebrachial cutaneous and radial sensory nerve branches, and
• Left first carpometacarpal joint wrist capsulorrhaphy with dorsal imbrication.

My post-operative diagnoses on my left side included:

• Left dorsal wrist synovitis,
• Left TFCC central tear,
• Left scapholunate ligament injury,
• Left 1st CMC joint synovitis, and
• Left de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

Help With Healing and Rebuilding Strength

I’m just blown away and thrilled that my left thumb doesn’t hurt at all today—especially since my thumb pain bothered me the most. 

Dr. Crosby said surgery would work, and he was right. It really worked. My wrist mobility came back, too, just a little bit more slowly, but it didn’t take that long, and, like my thumb, it’s so much better now.

Kathleen, Dr. Crosby’s nurse practitioner, has been great at my follow-up visits. She explains everything in great detail to share the “why.” It’s helped me take my recovery process seriously and do what I’m supposed to do. She’s just super kind and patient.

My occupational therapist, Lauren (at the Westfield location), was great and knowledgeable about explaining what I could and couldn’t do. I really appreciated all of Lauren’s tips and how she customized stretches for me. She knew working out was important to me, so she told me how to alter my regular workouts so I could keep moving without messing up my hand.

Starting to Plan for Phase Two

Ten years is a long time to spend going back and forth between doctors trying to try and find a solution. I just can’t begin to tell you how happy I am with how everything turned out.

I’m so grateful to Dr. Crosby and his team. Other doctors felt like they were beating around the bush. They didn’t seem to know what was going on. From day one with Dr. Crosby, I thought I was a priority. I also could tell he knew what he was talking about and appreciated how he always went to make me feel at ease.

Since this surgery was so successful, I won’t hesitate to talk to him about scheduling my next surgery to address other issues and the thumb and wrist pain on my right side.

Get Relief for Pain in Your Thumb and Wrist

Not everyone needs surgery or occupational therapy to relieve thumb and wrist pain. However, some patients—like Kirstie F.—benefit from specialized care for injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

Make an appointment with one of our upper extremity specialists to learn about your treatment options and what type of care might be best to help you heal.

Thumb and Wrist Pain Relief Experts

Since 1972, patients across Indiana and throughout the U.S. have trusted Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center’s world-class wrist surgeons. We treat every wrist injury and disorder, even the most complex conditions.

“Dr. Crosby said surgery would work, and he was right. It really worked.”—Kirstie F., Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center patient

How Do I See a Specialist at IHTSC?

Get the care you need from world-renowned physicians, advanced practice providers, and prominent hand therapists at Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center.

Request an appointment today, and get started on healing the pain your thumb and wrist.

Prefer to schedule by phone? Call us at (317) 751-5904.

---

You Might Also Like …

• Woman With Severely Broken Wrist Proves Picking a Great Doc Is Key to Healing
• Cubital Tunnel Surgery: How One Mom with Pain Finally Found Relief—and Freedom
• Woman Regains Mobility With Surgeries for Wrist and Hand Rheumatoid Arthritis
• 58-Year-Old Caregiver Is Back to Helping Others After Severe Wrist Fracture

Contributions to this patient story provided by Dr. Nicholas E. Crosby, M.D.