Really sorry for your pain. I’ve knit and crochet since 10 years old. I deal with repetitive stress syndrome (RSI) and tendinitis. Every time I work on thick yarn and small needles, I get the worst pain in hands, wrists and forearms. For now, give it a rest and do these special hand exercises for knitters: https://youtu.be/ynVH3K-tyhA
To prevent this happening in the future, take frequent breaks when knitting/crochet. I know we like to “get-it-done” as soon as possible, but it’s not worth the pain. Best wishes and hope you heal up soon!
1 Like
Maybe you have De Quervain’s syndrome. Google it for explanations as I am not the best when it comes to describing things in writing. We used to immobilize the thumb with a splint. If this is what you think you have you can purchase prefabricated splints at places like CVS, Walgreens etc. Make sure it immobilizes your thumb completely and wrist.
1 Like
I am really sorry you’re hurting.
I have deQuervain’s Tenosynovitis in both hands from crafting for long periods of time and what you’re describing sounds very familiar. I’m not sure if that’s what you have nor am I a medical professional but, in my case, my NP prescribed a RSI brace for me. I have to wear it when I’m not crafting due to flareups. According to her, it can come back with prolonged usage.
I hope your injury goes away and stays away.
Just an FYI, there’s also a book by a man named Carson Demers called Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting. It might be helpful.
1 Like
This article and video was a wakeup call: She Was Told She Would Never Knit Or Crochet Again ... So Here's What She Did. | Lion Brand Notebook
I used two different sizes of those super bouncy balls to roll/massage my hands and it helped enormously.
Give yourself a break! Rest your eyes, hands, body, and mind. For those receiving your knitted items, they know you aren’t a machine 
1 Like
Steve I sympathize with your dilemma not only is it painful it limits doing something you enjoy mine was originally the result of a surgical procedure and my beloved knitting suffered. If you search Walgreens for Hand & Wrist Braces you will see a Mueller Thumb Stabilizer I do not find it the best support but I am able to knit with it on for short periods and very useful for light work like dusting and folding laundry. I see they show a Thumb Brace with a nice wide wrist support strap that I will look for. I find a heavy duty adjustable wrist splint/brace helps for heavy work like vacuuming and or resting. I get multipacks of hand warmers on clearance from a sports department/store and make a fingerless glove from a sock (a small slit in the heel for thumb and cut across the toes) I place a handwarmer were it hurts most then fold the sock cuff over it to hold it in place. I have been able to knit with this on but use it mainly over night. If the support is adjustable I can sometimes put it on top. I am having some success wearing a compression glove BEFORE it hurts but I usually forget to put it on. I have found the picking method of working and crocheting hurts more than the throwing method and purl stitches hurt more than knit stiches so I knit in the round whenever possible.
I wish you every success in finding what is comfortable for you.