Trigger Finger Follies

HHP · #1 07-21-2018, 02:53 PM

My outbreak of trigger finger has kept me from playing for over a week. It lessens once in a while but unpredictably so I can't plant practice. Can't see the ortho doctor till Aug. 20th.

Worried I would lose my memorization and muscle memory, I tried icing it today and it did loosen up enough to do a run through. Actually played way better than I expected after so long a layoff.

Guess I'll just keep the icepack handy till I can get to the doctor for the cortisone shot.

vindibona1 · #2 07-21-2018, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHP

My outbreak of trigger finger has kept me from playing for over a week. It lessens once in a while but unpredictably so I can't plant practice. Can't see the ortho doctor till Aug. 20th.

Worried I would lose my memorization and muscle memory, I tried icing it today and it did loosen up enough to do a run through. Actually played way better than I expected after so long a layoff.

Guess I'll just keep the icepack handy till I can get to the doctor for the cortisone shot.

You won't lose anything by being off a couple weeks. Don't worry about that. When you get to see the doc ask him also about Voltaren gel. I went to the doc 3 days ago and while my condition isn't nearly as bad as yours the stuff worked almost immediately and has reduced the need for my diet of Naproxen.

I originally was given some Voltaren for my knee which didn't really work on the knee, but the hand has much less mass for the stuff to be absorbed into.

Good luck with your appointment. Getting old isn't for sissies.

eshrager · #3 07-21-2018, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindibona1

Y

I originally was given some Voltaren for my knee which didn't really work on the knee, but the hand has much less mass for the stuff to be absorbed into.

Good luck with your appointment. Getting old isn't for sissies.

Yep, always something breaking, falling apart. disintegrating.

But you have to keep on plugging along.

Trigger finger on my left thumb came back came back 1 year after a cortisone shot. The Ortho felt that any further shot would have a less than 40% chance of working and even if it did, it probably wouldn't last as long as the last one. So surgery is set for Aug 2. Shouldn't be too bad - it will done under a local and I was told I could drive to and from the surgery.

HHP - best of luck with your appointment and hope you recover quickly and thoroughly!

HHP · #4 07-21-2018, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eshrager

Yep, always something breaking, falling apart. disintegrating.

But you have to keep on plugging along.

Trigger finger on my left thumb came back came back 1 year after a cortisone shot. The Ortho felt that any further shot would have a less than 40% chance of working and even if it did, it probably wouldn't last as long as the last one. So surgery is set for Aug 2. Shouldn't be too bad - it will done under a local and I was told I could drive to and from the surgery.

HHP - best of luck with your appointment and hope you recover quickly and thoroughly!

Had the surgery few years ago on my right hand. Also did the local. The shots hurt worse than the surgery. Had a prescription for pain pills and didn't even need those. Two or three shots should give me a year's buffer on the surgery but I expect I'll need it eventually.

jeanray1113 · #5 07-21-2018, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHP

Had the surgery few years ago on my right hand. Also did the local. The shots hurt worse than the surgery. Had a prescription for pain pills and didn't even need those. Two or three shots should give me a year's buffer on the surgery but I expect I'll need it eventually.

I agree on the shot being worse than the surgery, and only helped for a few months. I took an Aleve before I went to bed the night after surgery, more as a preventative than for any real pain. Went shopping the next day. Basically told I could start playing when, and as much, as I felt like. Total success. Wouldn't hesitate to have it again.

GGSanders · #6 07-21-2018, 07:30 PM

Cortisone shots were only a temporary fix for me, as well. Surgery fixed my L ring finger several years ago, and L middle finger 8 weeks ago. Should have opted for surgery rather than the last cortisone shot, though, as it didn't help at all, and by the time surgery could be done I could hardley move that finger at all, and NSAIDs and ice hardly helped.

Middle finger is still stiff first thing in the morning, loosens up but aches a bit after playing 1-2 hrs. Dr. said it'll take another 6-8 weeks, to work it but not overdo it.

Should have had the surgery instead of that last shot.