I’m Giving You The Finger

[alantig]

Update, that is. The finger update.

I had a cortisone shot a month ago. After about a week and a half, the finger was almost back to normal - I had pretty much full flexibility and almost zero pain. Still had some weakness, which I attributed to not being able to play as much for so long.

Then the finger went all Flowers For Algernon on me and started regressing about a week ago. Every day, the range of motion decreased. Which is not to say there wasn’t any improvement - it was still easier to get the flexibility and mobility back than it had been before the shot, but it was detiorating. Saw the doc today, and with no stretching beforehand, the range of motion was about what it was when I first saw him. Took more effort to get the mobility back. Got another shot. If this one doesn’t stick, it’s carve me up time. I’m hoping the shot works. I was able to record and play tonight, but I’m paying for it a little bit now.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Sending you positive finger thoughts!

Hopefully “Algernon” gets better and starts behaving!

 

[WA Paul]

Dang, sorry about the finger pain Alan! Hopefully you can avoid surgery.

 

[toothace]

Here's to good healing!

 

[gush]

That sucks.........hope things work out.

 

[Rusty Chops]

Um, buy it some flowers?

 

[garrett]

Damn.

Cortisone is hit and miss. When I had trouble with my thumb, the first shot bought me a few months. The second one did nada.

Hang in there man and I hope this one sticks!

 

[alantig]

Thanks, everybody.

Early indications are good. Still sore today, but I expected that - it's not a fun place to have a needle jammed into. But I'm seeing results more quickly this time - my initial mobility is a lot better this morning. The true test will be about a month from now. In the meantime, I'm trying to get as much recording done as I can - I can mix with a finger that doesn't bend.

 

[Tosca]

Sorry to hear this Alan. Sending positive thoughts that it will continue to improve.

 

[Dirty_Boogie]

M

Thanks, everybody.

Early indications are good. Still sore today, but I expected that - it's not a fun place to have a needle jammed into. But I'm seeing results more quickly this time - my initial mobility is a lot better this morning. The true test will be about a month from now. In the meantime, I'm trying to get as much recording done as I can - I can mix with a finger that doesn't bend.

Hope it continues to improve, but surgery is not a bad alternative. I got my trigger finger surgery done 3 weeks ago - about a 15 minute procedure. The severe pain is gone, the stitches are out, and it's healed nicely. Now just need to work on strengthening the finger again - it's my left hand pinky, so at the best of times was not my strongest finger, but now it definitely doesn't want to do any work.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

damn...

 

[Lister]

Sorry to hear this, hopefully the 2nd time cortisone is the charm for you.

 

[bodia]

Alan, hope things progress better after the 2nd shot. I'll chime in with "surgery isn't a bad thing", as well. The wife had Gamekeeper's Thumb about 10 years ago. Cortisone didn't help, so she went under the blade. Quick procedure, and a bunch of PT. Good as new from that day forward.

Side bar; we had no clue what "Gamerkeeper's Thumb" is. If I would have known Alnus then, he could have provided some insight since the term started in Scotland. It's from the repetitive motion of a Gamekeeper breaking the "games" neck between his thumb and forefinger. Pretty sure the Mrs wasn't a Serial Bunny Killer.

 

[László]

I hope it gets better, Alan!

 

[garrett]

Yup, my mom had the trigger finger surgery on at least one finger. She also had a carpal tunnel job done. Both seemed pretty easy.

Heck, I had my whole thumb splayed open for a pulley reconstruction and I got back nearly all my range of motion, along with some cool scars. Modern medicine is grand.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Alan, hope things progress better after the 2nd shot. I'll chime in with "surgery isn't a bad thing", as well. The wife had Gamekeeper's Thumb about 10 years ago. Cortisone didn't help, so she went under the blade. Quick procedure, and a bunch of PT. Good as new from that day forward.

Side bar; we had no clue what "Gamerkeeper's Thumb" is. If I would have known Alnus then, he could have provided some insight since the term started in Scotland. It's from the repetitive motion of a Gamekeeper breaking the "games" neck between his thumb and forefinger. Pretty sure the Mrs wasn't a Serial Bunny Killer.

The distant cousin of “Housemaids knee”!

 

[alantig]

It's kind of funny to see how many finger disabilities are named after jobs or hobbies. I saw something for boutonniere's disfigurement - for seamstresses. The index figure is curved from the tip to the second knuckle from the motion of putting buttons on garments. Never saw that one before.

 

[alantig]

Yup, my mom had the trigger finger surgery on at least one finger. She also had a carpal tunnel job done. Both seemed pretty easy.

Heck, I had my whole thumb splayed open for a pulley reconstruction and I got back nearly all my range of motion, along with some cool scars. Modern medicine is grand.

Yes, it is. I just prefer not getting sliced open if I don't have to. But there's no hesitation here - if this doesn't work, it's the knife. What's one more operation next year?

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Good luck, Alan...just hope it's fully resolved so you can enjoy your toys!!

 

[dogrocketp]

If you're anywhere near Maryland, Call Dr. Ray Wittstadt at Chesapeake Hand Specialists. People will even come from other countries to see him. He has done 4 different procedures on my hands to keep me playing. He is a bass player who has had hand surgery. Around the DMV, he's known as the hand god. He was the 3rd different doctor I saw, and I knew immediately how he got his reputation when he was examining my hands. He used to teach at Hopkins.