(Vanity) middle finger pain (need advice)

me | 06-06-2011 | ak267

[ak267]

For the past two weeks I've noticed some discomfort clasping/clinching my left hand whenever I grip a pole or piece of equipment. The base knuckle (left side of the knuckle) on my left, middle finger feels a little sore. When I massage the left, forarm tendons, the pain from clinching or gripping is almost gone.

When I bend my left, middle finger to the right (towards my thumb) there's discomfort. If I bend it up, down or to the left (towards the my pinky) there is no pain.

Sometimes the hand can feel a little stiff in the morning.

Arthritis? Tendonitis?

[Mazey]

I do agree with the trigger points being a great cause, and relief for, the pains you are describing. Find some good charts on the net, and you can really help that stuff. Or else find a physical therapist who can teach you how to find and fix them. There is a guy on the net who has a video that shows you how to release in your arm. Good stuff! Really helped my hands.

[Apogee]

Some time ago I assisted someone with a database of a fairly large sampling of arthritis studies.
What I thought I noticed, not really focused on by the studies or the person assisted, afaik, was the importance of lubrication, that is, I wondered if we are not drinking enough water on a consistent lifelong basis. I don’t know if it is possible to catch up once you realize you need it, but I do know it is important for brain health as well.

[Squantos]

Or ... Go to the veterinarian get some dmso an crush some aspirin to a fine powder mix the aspirin an dmso to make a nuclear strength version of analgesic ointment.

I don’t have much mileage on me but a boatload of sudden stops. Old injuries induced arthritis.

Little bit of that topical on the source of the pain works perfect.

[Slings and Arrows]

Three pieces of advice:

1. See a doctor.

2. Seriously, see a doctor.

3. Did I suggest seeing a doctor?

[count-your-change]

That’s what happens when you say, “Pull my finger”.

[RockinRight]

Sticking it up too much at liberals?

Seriously, it is most likely tendons or nerve ( sub as carnal tunnel syndrome or similar) related. Does it improve with rest? Does it go numb or tingle at all?

[libertarian27]

Or else find a physical therapist who can teach you how to find and fix them. There is a guy on the net who has a video that shows you how to release in your arm. Good stuff! Really helped my hands.

Have a link handy?
(sorry about the pun:>)

[exDemMom]

Just wondering if your doctor checked you for ankylosing spondylitis. Sacroiliac problems are indicators of that disease.

Thank you for the concern. I believe my osteoarthritis may have been caused by untreated scoliosis putting pressure on the joint. Kids are screened for that, but somehow, I wasn't diagnosed until well into adulthood.

[Caipirabob]

Seriously, try soaking your hand in hot water with epsom salts. If it doesn't bring you some relief, there may be some damage to address. Epsom salts can't hurt, so take this advice for the salt it's worth. Good luck.

[Fred Hayek]

I have had a mild nerve entrapment in the shoulder, however, surgery was not necessary. I was given a set of exercises to strengthen the muscles in such a manner where the shoulder was lifted off the affected nerve. The non-invasive route worked in this case, so the surgical route was not necessary. I had been using a sports medicine doc at the time.
Blackdog - is this now a arthroscopic procedure?

[Fred Hayek]

This was originally directed to you as well, I just lost your username.

[reformedliberal]

You have received a lot of good advice, ak267.

As for which medical profession to consult, I suggest a good sports medicine practice, which will have a lot of different modalities to use.

Some stretches that may help:

For flexors: Put warm water in the sink so you are warming muscles and fascia as you press you palms on the bottom of sink so the wrists are in extension. Position shoulders with arms straight (elbows locked directly above hands as you press down and hold a slow 10 count. Repeat and relax several times.

2: Stand with arms at sides, elbows straight. Cup hands with palms up and rotate forearms as far as they turn in both directions keeping palms up. Now switch and put hands in extension, back of hand upward, and rotate forearms as far as they turn in both directions. Do it slowly and repeat both flexion and extension positions several times

3. Door frame stretch: Stand in a doorway with your hands on the frame at eye level. Put one foot forward and lean through the doorway. Feel the stretch in the pectoralis muscles. Alternate feet to stretch both sides. Next put one hand (this is done one hand at a time) on the top frame of the doorway and lean forward. (this stretches the pectoralis minor muscle which functions to rotate the shoulder forward and down).

4. Scalenes are three muscle that attach to the sides of your neck vertebrae and to the 1st and 2nd ribs. They rotate the head and elevate the ribcage when you take a deep breath. They are capable of causing a soft tissue impingement of the median, radial and ulnar nerves where they emerge from the side of the neck.

A. Anterior Scalene: Place your hand over you head, finger just above your ear and slowly pull your head to your shoulder and hold it there for the slow ten count, switch hands and take your head to the opposite shoulder. Repeat three times and take it slow. For a little more, do an isometric resistance when you have you head as far as it goes toward the shoulder: gently try to raise your head back up while holding it down with your hand. Note: take it easy; the point is to just add some resistance to fatigue the muscles and allow the stretch receptors to release a bit. Don’t take any stretch past a bit of discomfort and never into pain.

B. Medial scalene: Position you hand over your head and posterior to the 1st stretch and bring your head toward the front of your shoulder (as if you are going to sniff your armpit :) ). You will feel the stretch on the posterior side of the neck. Try the isometric resistance again. Repeat several times.

C. Posterior scalene: Position you hand over your head and above the orbit of your eye and pull your head toward the back of your shoulder but keep the head upright so you feel the stretch on the anterior side of your neck. Try the isometric resistance again. Repeat several times.

Analyze your activities and see if you can discover what actions have contributed to the dysfunction. If you need to consult an athletic trainer concerning your body mechanics in regard to those activities, do so. Correcting faulty mechanics can help a lot. Try all the non-invasive methods first, before thinking about surgery. Surgery changes your structure and mechanics for good. Make sure, if you do opt for surgery, to find an orthodpod who specializes in this sort of procedure and make sure you understand the various outcomes and percentage chances of relief.

[ak267]

You want your hands to bend forward, so keep the keyboard no lower than your elbows; higher than your elbows works nicely. You can also tip the keyboard away, i.e., top rows of keys lower than the spacebar.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Did that by accident today (tilted keyboard away) and I did notice a major improvement....thanks.

I temporarily stopped lifting weights as well.