Difficulty with Middle Finger

[SlashZero]

Help my middle finger is acting weird and I don't know what to do with it?

Allow me to elaborate:

For some strange reason, my middle finger on my right hand refuses to come up in the morning from its sleeping position (when I sleep, my hand is closed in a loosely closed fist, with the fingers on my hand touching the palm). After forcing it up, my finger is totally free in movement and it does not bother me for the rest of the day, when I'm fencing, writing, typing, etc etc. However, if I bend my middle finger -all the way down- and leave it like that, the problem will return.

Recently, I've been sleeping with my hand unclenched, so throughout the whole day, I've avoided the pain. I've been confused about the urgency of my problem, mainly because, once again, it does not bother me, and it wasn't until recently my friend described similar implications of her finger, after a hard days work at a fencing tournament, that I've come forward with it.

Anyone have any suggestions or ideas about what I should do? Thanks mate

[Dar Tanyon]

When I saw the title of this thread I wasn't sure I wanted to go there........

Best advice is to see a doctor. Pain is not the only indication of a problem or injury (although it is a pretty good one!) You may have something in there that is torn or jagged thus catching and stopping the movement of the finger. You should have it looked at.

I tore up my knee years ago and had surgery on it. Sometimes, if I don't keep the leg strong, when I sleep the knee will "catch" and I cannot bend it at all. Of course, when that happens it hurts like h###. Could be something like that going on in your hand only it doesn't hurt.

Again, best advice, have it checked out. Good luck!

[Purple Fencer]

Sounds like "trigger finger"....have it myself. The tendon that works the finger passes through a ring-shaped mass in the first knuckle. if that mass is irritated (say, by recieving continual hits -- even at low level -- by transmittal of a parry or beat down the blade to the grip) it will swell a little, and the tendon won't move smoothly.

You may feel discomfort farther up the finger when it's straightened, but the real problems at the base of the finger. See your doctor.

[Grasshopper]

that sounds like a job for viagra

[Dar Tanyon]

I just knew we didn't want to go here.......

[Sabresque]

I'll second the trigger finger thing. I also had it back when I was a foilist. Go see your doctor.

[Inquartata]

Sabresque, you were a foilist? Say it ain't so!

[oiuyt]

Meh, what weapon(s) someone fences before seeing the light matters little. :)

-B :)

[Sabresque]

Is it like being saved, or something? Sorry to dissapoint you Inq!

[prototoast]

Meh, what weapon(s) someone fences before seeing the light matters little.

-B

So would you say you're a born again fencer?

[whtouche]

So would you say you're a born again fencer?

Check out his AIM screename, versus his primary weapon

[tallntender]

Meh, what weapon(s) someone fences before seeing the light matters little.

-B

If I saw more lights, I'd still be fencing sabre.

[Black Jeebus]

If it weren't for the dancing lights in the sky telling me not to, I might try sabre.

[Inquartata]

Have you been drinking dreadfoily's Gatorade?

[JEC]

1st - get a diagnosis. Although what it is said above is most likely correct (except for the hallucinations about foil and sabre), you might have a "writer's cramp".

Then, you might have to take a short course of antiinflammatories and continue to sleep with your fingers in neutral position. If it happens while fencing, ice and the other measures might help.

I do agree with the last post of Inquartata. That is sound advice.