Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling

[I_luv_saber]

Okay, long story (very long) short, I've lost feeling in my right ring finger from nerve damage (Just the upper third/finger tip). I'm not yet sure if this will be permanent yet or not, but even if not it might be around for a bit.

So, just to throw some questions out there...

1) Do you think it will significantly detract from my (already atrocious) fencing?
2) If yes, and it IS permanent, should I train with my left hand or attempt to develop a method to fence with my right at full capacity.
3) Since I'm in Budapest and have as yet been unable to see the doc (can go Monday), do you think it would hinder healing of the nerve? (this is just out of simple curiosity as I won't even have the chance to fence until after I see the doc)

Quite obviously my main weapon is saber. So, any opinions?

[Cookeit]

I would not fence until you see a doctor.

[I_luv_saber]

Won't be, just curious of some opinions/experiences on the matter....

[Cookeit]

Oh, I thought in the third thing you made in your post the "it" that could hinder the healing would be fencing.

[I_luv_saber]

it was, but:

(this is just out of simple curiosity as I won't even have the chance to fence until after I see the doc)

But at any rate, I'd rather have someone concerned than telling me to take a long walk off a short pier!

[Joe biebel]

This won't necessarily be a serious hindrence as long as the damage is limited and this is not going to be an expanding area of damage. Your visit to the doctor is key to getting this question answered.

I am not a physician, nor do I play one on TV, but I have had more than my share of hand and finger injuries. I had a serious cut that severed the nerve in the top 2/3 of my ring finger. This took a little while to compenstae for, but I do not notice it anymore. I had carpal tunnel surgery recently on the same hand as the sensation and strength were leaving it. The result has been really great for my fencing as I can respond to contacts and signals in a fraction of the time I could this last year or two. Depending on the severity, the cause, and whether or not it will get worse over time or not are all key ingredients to deciding a course of action.

It would be interesting to me if you would describe in more detail the injury or condition and the symptoms. I have actually gotten some very good advice from people in various medical fields that lurk on this forum.

Good luck.

[I_luv_saber]

hehe, well, due to the... odd nature of how the injury came about, I won't go into that... (open speculation ). I'll very vaguely say the injury would be similar to slamming your hand in a door or somesuch. No lacerations... I think the nerve was crushed or pinched perhaps. I don't THINK this will be permanent, but another to add to the 'You know you're a fencer when' thread.

You know you're a fencer when after sustaining an injury your first thought is "Oh my God! Will my fencing suffer!!! Will I ever hold a saber again, doc?!"


Hoping to get an appointment as soon as I'm back in the States.

[crquack]

An injury to a digital nerve by crushing is likely to recover but it will take some time and may be incomplete. I knocked off one of my digital nerves through a repeated impact of the trigger guard of a shotgun while shooting clays.

How is this injury hindering your fencing? I ignored mine (with the exception of getting a different shotgun).

The usual question with finger injuries is "Doctor, will I be able to play the piano?" and, if the answer is positive, "That is amazing! I could not before..."

[I_luv_saber]

Well that was more or less my question... will it hinder my fencing? I haven't had a chance to fence yet since the injury, but I was slightly worried about some of the finer finger movements....

[DE_Strip_Tease]

Well that was more or less my question... will it hinder my fencing? I haven't had a chance to fence yet since the injury, but I was slightly worried about some of the finer finger movements....

Maybe your body will adapt? Make your other fingers stronger to compensate for the one bad one? Which finger is it BTW?

I don't think you can get a firm answer until you get back to fenicng.

[Grasshopper]

Do saber fencers even have fully developed digets?

[HDG]

Do saber fencers even have fully developed digets?

Well, they're born with them, but all the knuckle-dragging wears them down...

[Grasshopper]

I thought it was many generations of fist pumping at referee which devolved the fingers.

[sabreteur]

Well, they're born with them, but all the knuckle-dragging wears them down...

I'll have you know sir, that my ancestors were not knuckle draggers. We brachiated through the trees.

[crquack]

Well that was more or less my question... will it hinder my fencing? I haven't had a chance to fence yet since the injury, but I was slightly worried about some of the finer finger movements....

Fine finger movements! You, sir, must practice a different sport...BTW, is being callled a "ferailleur" (sp) a bad thing?

[Black Jeebus]

Hey at least it's just a finger and not your face. On a vaguely related note- I think I may have an inflamed 7th cranial nerve, again.

[Sabresque]

I've had this actually happen to me as a trombone player, because the trombone was heavy and continually had most of its weight situated on a certain part of my finger. I found that rest from trombone made the feeling slowly come back.

I would say that if it is a result of fencing, that you analyze why exactly this might be happening. Perhaps a change in technique might provide relief. If you are gripping so hard it results in a numb finger its not only a hinderance to your ability to fence but also probably to your attacks, etc.

Whether or not this is even a result of fencing, having a partly numb finger never really hindered my fencing. I think it probably depends on which finger. Good luck.