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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 9:52 am
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John L Rose wrote:
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.


I have to add, I too was taking an 800mg Motrin morning/night. Don't know how much they helped, some maybe. But the locking went away for me a week after the cortisone shot. I got one in the knuckle of the ring finger and one in the index finger, really not to painful after that. The action is still stiff(really just weak/slow) in the ring finger, but after an hour or so of playing I don't really notice. I'm no speed demon though, and my hammers on/off are really weak...


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:12 am
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I too have a problematic fret hand pinky finger that locks.

I was driving when it first happened and was afraid it might have been a possible stroke related occurrence. I did all I could to bend it back to a normal position, but it didn't happen immediately. My wife was freaking out.

So, off to the Doc I went who then suggested that I not overwork the hand and strangely enough I have gotten used to doing that, noticing a difference between lack of projects in the Winter compared to working outdoors in the summer.

Sometimes, it feels like my hand is going to lock, (like a charley horse coming on), but I do my best to stop what I'm doing and I try to relax. I have felt a sharp pain from my finger to just below my elbow, but that has only happened a couple of times over a few years. At first my palm was normal but now there is what appears to be a minor raised tendon just below the surface between the finger and an inch before the wrist (not really a problem though).

I've taken Glucosimine and Chondroitin for joint pain, but there are various quality and versions available (in this you get what you pay for) and I can't say this would or would not help.

I went back to playing the guitar after a hiatus and decided to see if my hand would improve. For me it seems to help as my problem occurs less, but I know too much playing could be a problem so I stop if I cramp up.

Incidentally, my mother had an operation for a similar problem; perhaps, heredity plays a role. For those who need an operation, my sympathy goes out to you, for others I feel your pain, still for others - R&R plus minor exercise (hopefully with your axe) may be all you need.

Good Luck with that.

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 8:07 am
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l88vette wrote:
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.


+1 on the doctor.

I also have trigger finger in both thumbs and both middle fingers. The finger locks and it's painful to unlock it. Even after two shots of cortisone (which is the max. you should get I was told) the problem came back. Physical therapy with a series of stretching exercises for 6 weeks helped the most for long term relief.

This site has some good info and some finger stretching exercises on it.
http://www.ipcphysicaltherapy.com/TriggerFinger.aspx

Some other good tips the therapist gave me was to use padded work gloves or the type that bike riders wear if you're doing anything that requires gripping such as a lawn mower, snow blower or other tools.

She also told me about a product called "WonderGuards".
http://shop.wonderguards.com/logout.sc

Most trigger finger affects the thumb and middle finger so I use the 1.5 inch length on the thumb and the 1 inch on the middle finger of my fretting hand.
Unless you use them on your index finger and play a bar chord they don't get in the way.
They don't cure the trigger finger but they do give relief while using the fingers.

I also wear them at night to keep my fingers from locking while I'm sleeping.

I hope some of these tips help. Trigger finger is both annoying and painful.


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 7:49 pm
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My recommendation, having had rheumatism since I was young, is a bucket of dry sand. It needs to be deep enough to stick your hand into, and you clench, open and wiggle your fingers. If it hurts, go slower.


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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 10:00 pm
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Good tips and a great explanation. Thanks, strat98.

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 10:12 pm
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ted j wrote:
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



Had my surgery yesterday,(it'd been put back till then), as a day case, back home by 6 pm, both arms . Unfortunateley the surgeon had to transpose both nerves, so i'll be indisposed for a good week . I have heavy bandages on both arms which will stay on till next friday and support stockings to stay on a week....they are very restrictive and I'm typing this with my left index finger... will need help getting in and out of bed and also getting dressed for a few days

I got virtually no sleep last night after the sedation wore off and it hurts like hell ATM, but I already have very slightly improved feeling in my left ring finger... here is what I had done (the gory bit starts around 4.09)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIncgsuHr68

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 12:32 am
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ted j wrote:
Had my surgery yesterday,(it'd been put back till then), as a day case, back home by 6 pm, both arms . . .
You deserve a medal for all the action that took place. I hope this message finds you feeling better and well on your way to a speedy recovery, Ted.

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Post subject: Re: Locked Finger?
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 1:14 am
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Thanks FSB

I am typing whilst both arms are on a cushion, the elbows are really sore today as the anesthetic wore off late last night and I didn't get much sleep .... I can do toilet duties but can't feed myself as I cant get my hands anywhere near my face due to the padded bandages , which'll hopefully come off next Friday

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"All right, guys, uh, listen. This is a blues riff in "B", watch me for the changes, and try and keep up, okay?"


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