Brief Answer:
Sounds benign enough....HOWEVER.....

Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon. Thank you for your question. I've read through your detailed and informative history of events and how your wrist has been bothering one almost in what one could describe as a "fluctuating" way.....coming and going...some days better, some days not. Though you've linked the event in your wrist to the trip to New Zealand and carrying heavy things....one should always keep in mind that not all obvious things are necessarily the cause of related to events of health and well being. Therefore, if New Zealand represents a place you were simply visiting and is not your permanent residence....could you have picked up an infection of some type that is affecting your wrist or thumb joint? This would be referred to as a monoarticular or possibly regional arthritic process and if that were the case then, one possible cause would be some endemic bug or agent to the area that can give these types of symptoms.

For example, on the CDC website regarding New Zealand is the following information on infectious diseases published in 2017:

Norovirus outbreaks, Risk Factors for Legionnaires’ Disease, and      
Salmonella enterica infections Associated with 14-Year Outbreak (1998-2012)

The following website is for you to peruse on the CDC website and there may be other things there that may make more sense to you with respect to symptoms to you can figure out: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/ArticleMap/NZL

Therefore, what I would do if I were in your position and have already tried all the things you've talked about in terms of anti-inflammatories, analgesics, resting the hand etc. is get a medical examination by a doctor and make sure they understand you've traveled outside the country. Have your vaccination records ready to share with the doctor. With that information available the doctor can then, begin ordering the proper tests such as an X-ray of the affected hand/wrist, and thumb as well as getting appropriate bloodwork looking for signs of arthritis, infection, or other things that could be invading the joint which you may have contracted while on the trip.

Chances are this will turn out to be a benign process and with the proper guidance for rest and good choice of anti-inflammatory with possible some physical or occupational therapy +/- some Ultrasound/Diathermy treatments or other helpful ameliorative approaches you will resolve.

But on the outside chance that there is a specific infectious or metabolic cause affecting this joint or set of joints....I would not let this go much more than a few days more because then, it could potentially spread to other joints and other organ systems. You must be sure there is nothing in the bloodstream that would suggest your body is trying to fight an infection, etc.

BTW, make sure the doctor has the radiologist specifically comment on things such as:

1. Monoarticular arthritic inflammatory process
2. Ganglion Cyst
3. Deposition of crystalline material or the presence of calcified material (possible sign of a gouty arthritis)
4. Sub or intra-articular abscess formation (infectious process)

Cheers!
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Brief Answer:
Unlikely BUT that's why I also believe studies are necessary at this time.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your return message and clarification.

Of course, just because someone is a native doesn't mean they can't pick up an indiginous bug...happens all the time. However, I guess I was assuming you were a traveler from a foreign country which sometimes works doubly to one's disadvantage.

At any rate...common fungi of the feet rarely if ever get into the systemic circulation to cause this sort of problem and rarely would a fungal infection be found to be the agent behind an articular problem such as the one you're referring.....UNLESS the person were immunocompromised due to drugs, radiation treatments, or carrying a disease that is known to immunodeplete the host such as HIV, AIDS, etc.

I would still approach the problem the same way (except for the passports and vaccinations) and start with a good physical examination of the wrist followed by a recommendation perhaps of an X-ray or maybe ultrasound to get an idea if there were a chance that an abscess, ganglion cyst, or other type of lesion that could fluctuate a bit could be present. And of course, blood work.

Cheers!

Once again, if in your estimation- helpful information to your question have been provided I would very much appreciate your CLOSING THE QUERY and including some postive words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? I'd be very interested in knowing how things turned out.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 40 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.

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