THE TRIGGER FINGER EPISODE

2 years ago, I decided it was time to practice 'jump-switch'.  If you are unfamiliar with yoga, imagine being in a runners' lunge, right leg forward, hands on the floor.  With one swift and smooth move, you weight your hands, lift legs from the ground, and land with left leg forward, right leg back -- another lunge.

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?  I thought so, and I have never been able to 'get' it.  Hence, this story:  I was warming up to teach a class of climbing athletes, decided to try a 'jump-switch' when no one was watching (I have issues of feeling 'less than', at times). What happened?  First attempt - I lifted off, felt GREAT pain in the distal (closest to fingernail) joint of my right ring finger, came down in a lump, praying it wasn't broken (it wasn't).

I taught the class, still feeling that finger. For many months, the pain and discomfort persisted tho lessening each day.  My therapy: to caress it and gently pull on the joint to create space, also some Ibuprofen.  But, as the pain dissipated, I noticed discomfort in the joint closer to my palm (you know, the one that rings have trouble getting over some times), I'll call it the middle joint.  I continued creating space in the joints of that finger, but something new was happening.

Every so often, when I bent that finger significantly, the middle joint would lock in that bent position.  Now, I don't know about you, but when something 'locks' up in my body, I WANT IT UNLOCKED, THE SOONER THE BETTER.  I kept creating space, slept with my hand firmly under my pillow so that it wouldn't bend in the night.  My fear:  that, if it remained stuck for any period of time, it might not UNSTICK.  After months of fear, angst, worry, I made an appointment to have the finger looked at by a orthopedic physician specializing in the hand.

Yesterday was the day.  My choice of physician was assisted by Google, but I chose a physician within one of the larger physician conglomerates in San Diego.  I had little to go on but his picture, and he looked young.  A one-hour drive from home, I left early, arrived early, and was nervous (I am usually never nervous in these situations).  I think the prospect of a deformed hand, maybe even surgery, was at work here.

Physician's quick diagnosis:  Trigger Finger. (or, stenosing tenosynovitis) Cause - inflammation and irritation (could have come from the initial injury; tho it usually results from medical conditions - which I don't have - or trauma to the base of the finger or palm), and each time the finger 'sticks' it only creates more inflammation/irritation, setting me up for continued issues.

What did he do?  Well, he gave me a shot, in my palm about 2 inches below the affected joint.  Finger went numb for a while.  Since then, it has locked once more mildly, and I am hopeful this does the trick.

Oh, and about the physician:  A young Woody Harrelson, short hair, boots and all.  Younger than my son, I'm sure (that means early 30's).  The cuteness factor took care of any credibility issues I might have with age.  That, plus when he entered the room, he introduced himself -- how many physicians do that?  Nice.

So, there you have it.  Any questions about Trigger Finger, just ask -- I have a 3-page handout from the physician.

Hope you have a great Wednesday; off today to get my hair cut and colored -- that's nice, too.