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Post subject: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 2:04 pm
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In almost 50 years of playing guitar I had a strange problem yesterday that I had never experienced. After about an hour of playing, with quite a bit of lead, my index finger locked up in the bent position. I had to use my other hand to straighten it. This happened twice and was accompanied by pain in my wrist. Has anyone else experienced this and what was the outcome? I'm supposed to play a gig next weekend but now I'm not so sure.


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 2:28 pm
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Go see a doctor.


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 2:33 pm
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ChrisH1 wrote:
Go see a doctor.


+1

It sounds like a variation of carpal-tunnel syndrome.

I build scale models and have suffered that same occurrence periodically after an extended period at my bench.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 3:41 pm
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Painful, I have "Trigger Finger" in my ring finger of my fretting hand also.
It can be fixed by either injections(works about 70% of the time) or through outpatient operative repair of the tendons. I tried two separate injections, w/o success but declined to have surgery. It has recovered significantly over the last couple years, however it is still a hindrance to playing fast...
Kinda visualize what a bicycle hand brake cable looks like (the tendon) and the outer plastic cover. Either the tendon has swollen preventing it from sliding freely w/ in the sleeve or the sleeve is swollen or damaged which prevents a healthy tendon from sliding freely. Either case, as everybody has stated see a hand specialist.

IMO, unless your losing money due to the injury, try the series of shots first.


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:22 pm
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That's an outstanding explanation, Eric -- perhaps the best way for a layman (as most of us are when it comes to health issues) to visualize.

And just to clarify, the "injections" mentioned are cortisone, a powerful steroid which might cause unintended side effects.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:35 pm
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Okay guys thanks for all your replies. If it happens again I'll see a doctor. Sfceric great explanation! Arjay as always thanks for your replies. I too built a lot of scale airplanes over the years. I retired as a pilot from AA last year after more than 35 years. Had a lot of flights to TUS and always wished I had looked you up. Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:51 pm
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l88vette wrote:
Okay guys thanks for all your replies. If it happens again I'll see a doctor. Sfceric great explanation! Arjay as always thanks for your replies. I too built a lot of scale airplanes over the years. I retired as a pilot from AA last year after more than 35 years. Had a lot of flights to TUS and always wished I had looked you up. Thanks again.


Cool.

8)

I logged 2261 hrs as an Army Aviator in Vietnam (UH-1 and OH-6) and accumulated a like amount of time as "baggage" on MAC flights and commercial air. I no longer fly (TWA 800's ghastly demise put the fear of God into me) but I still build models.

Do you still drive a Corvette?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:03 pm
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Yeah still into Vette's I have a '66 and a '98. I've always loved the C2 (63-67.)


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:06 pm
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I'd love to see a pic of your '66. Roadster or coupe?

My Corvettes were all C3's......a '69, a '71, and a '73.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:52 pm
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Hello l88vette. I shake it out so to speak, that few minutes of movement before and after playing gets all of the muscles and ligaments in the hands to soak up nutrients. And a banana or avocado a day for the potassium.

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:09 am
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Never mind the home remedies that some are trying to offer here. Go see a doctor. It's better to be safe than sorry.


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:07 am
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I know and appreciate your concern. A few months ago my 4th finger on my left hand would lock at the large knuckle and take my other hand to unlock it. Sometimes it would "spring" open and you could see the tendon jump across the joint. Eventually it corrected itself before I made a reluctant doctor's appointment. I'm 69 and seldom play my 46 guitars now because of hand pain, but enjoy having and maintaining them none the less. Good luck and hope your problem too is only temporary.


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:19 am
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How about supplements like Chondroitin and Glucosamine?


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:11 pm
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I have cubital tunnel syndrome , carpal tunnel affects the thumb , index and middle fingers
Cubital is a trapped ulnar nerve in the area from elbow up towards the shoulder and down towards the wrist, affecting the pinky finger of each hand and the pinky side of each ring finger

I have had this getting progressively worse for 12 months and due to moving house and doctors, have finally had nerve conductivity studies done and the resultant hospital follow up schedualled ...I go for a pre- op assessment next Thursday and all being well, will have a operation under general anesthetic on both elbows on the 20th of this month

There are 2 methods of treatment depending on how bad the nerve is trapped , the first (and most severe) , involves a 6-8 inch scar along the inside of the affected elbow(s) and the nerve being repositioned to a different location/ path
Mine is a slightly simpler version with a 1-1/2 inch scar and a hollow , solid plastic tube being inserted and the nerve "freed" from being attached to tissue and left to move freely along it's path

It has been really annoying as it has stopped me playing a lot, as I get pins and needles , but am hopeful that it will get back to normal in 3 months

The moral is....if doubt, get it checked out ASAP

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 10:27 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
Painful, I have "Trigger Finger" in my ring finger of my fretting hand also.

I was starting to get trigger finger in my right ring finger. My doctor said it may just go away by itself in a couple of months. If it got worse, it might need work by a plastic surgeon.

As it turned out, I had been taking 800 mg of ibuprophen a day for about a week (for something else), and I noticed that my trigger finger was going away. Both ring fingers still feel stiff in the mornings, but no longer have the "trigger click" thing happening.

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