Klarinet Archive - Posting 000436.txt from 2002/01

From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] "Trigger" Thumb
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 13:18:10 -0500

> I need some input from anyone who has dealt with a condition called
"trigger
> finger."

Both my index fingers suffer a little. I first noticed it about 6/7 years
ago, when they would be at their worst, in bed, first thing after waking up
in the morning. I thought it was rheumatism at first, with the cold morning
affecting them, as I usually wake up with my arms and hands outside the
bed-covers. I had to straighten them with the other hand. My doctor
diagnosed trigger finger, and informed me of the usual surgery as only a
last hopeful resort. I asked if exercising them might "loosen" them up, but
he wasn`t altogether too sure with his "Well you can try it" remark. Well
it did work - famous last words - I`m 59 now and at present they are fine. I
used to exercise them both each morning whilst they were still a bit
sensitive to pain - backwards and forwards for perhaps 20 times each, each
day. I make an effort to make sure that I`m fully covered in bed these days,
except when the weather is hot. I have not had to force them straight now
for about 3 years. I can still feel (not hear) a very slight clicking - no
pain, but they do not bother me at all. Perhaps it was rheumatism after all.

Best,
Tony W.

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