[lou]

3 weeks ago I injured the middle joint of my right ring finger, in what seemed to be a classic over crimping injury - bearing down hard on a crimp, sudden feeling of discomfort in the joint, bit of swelling, moderate discomfort, crackle noise when straightening finger after applying gentle pressure to the finger in crimp-like position.

Did all the usual 'good' things - immediate ice, physio - gentle massage, mobility, fig 8 taping, buddy taping, aerobic exercise etc. Already take range of nutters supplements: glucosomine/chondroitin, devils claw, bromelain. No climbing apart from recent taped up enormous jugs circuit which doesn't cause any discomfort or clicking.

Swelling and pain in normal activities are now gone, but the crackling noise, clunking and discomfort on applying a gentle crimp like action are not improving at all, and I'm wondering if this implies something a bit structual wrong? Maybe something's shifted, cartilage torn or something?

Any pearls of wisdom out there gratefully received...

[webbo]

the middle joint/knuckle of my left middle finger has looked larger/swollen for years.last year it started to make noises like you describe,sometimes it locks and when i bend it frees its self with aloud click.however it does'nt really hurt and i've no idea what it is.i do find myself at times trying to make it click.

[lou]

hmm just to answer my own question, after a bit of searching on the web, trigger finger looks a likely candidate:
http://www.indianahandcenter.com/medical_trigger.html

anyone had the steroid injections / surgery?

[John Cooke]

I've a friend who's been suffering from the same thing for over a year now. The pain is apparent with a clicking noise, like yours, that causes pain and aggrevation. The injury subsided then reoccurred recently and now after seeing a hand specialist the diagnosis was damaged cartilage catching on the knuckle joint, and the only option for surgery. If you've medical insurance now may be the time to use it and go see a specialist!

Then again i've an injury like Webbo's that's almost a year old, and again can seem to climb fine with it, although i bloody hurts from time to time. I've a feeling that's cartilage build up as well from an injury but fortunately it isn't catching or aggrevating my knuckle joint like yours is. I did take a month off climbing though and had deep friction massages and also 3 courses of laser treatment to ensure it didn't get any worse. Have you taken anytime off at all?

[lou]

thanks cubanallstar - your friend's finger does sound similar. i've ruled out inflamation type injuries since it came on so fast and isn't showing any response to treatment like nsaids, hot cold, massage etc.

i've been off climbing for a month now, though i've recently been doing a few jugs circuits on the woodie (fully taped and buddy taped) just to keep my eye in and stop going completely mentalist. this doesn't aggravate it.

i'm a girl in a hurry so am indeed cashing in the health insurance and seeing the gp tomorrow about getting referred to a hand specialist. joys.

[John Cooke]

Best of luck! Hope you're back cranking soon.

[LongMonkey]

This thread discusses injections in fingers so might be of some help:

http://ukbouldering.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=4879

[lou]

thanks LongMonkey - i hadn't found that one and it is very interesting. doc reckons it's trigger finger (damaged pulley in disguise it seems) and has ordered another month of serious nsaids, massage and hot cold before considering steroids, which do sound like a deal with the devil.

[LongMonkey]

Yeah I'm still hanging fire on any injections. Just go steady on it I guess. They're not your regular climbing shoes are they!?  

[Duma]

OT  - my SO likes your avatar so much she's almost forgiven this site for the 'fit birds who go climbing' thread  :D

[lou]

heh heh no these shoes are just for schlepping to and from the woodie. and while this site is a scary last bastion of manliness i reckoned it's the only place to go for pulley advice ;-)