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jmk
Lokahi
USA
115 Posts |
 Posted - 01/13/2005 : 1:41:41 PM
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2 weeks ago (it seems more like a year), I started getting pain in my index finger,fretting hand. It first started when I was pulling cold, wet laundrey out of the machine. I continued to play, then got to the point of severe pain. this week I saw an Orthopaedic Dr. who said it is either a tendon or joint capsule. he took no xrays. didn't say if I should rest it or do any therapy, just said it might last 2-3 weeks and to come back. we don't have a hand specialist where I live.
Any suggestions? I've been playing with the other 3 fingers. it's slightly swollen and doesn't really seem to be improving.
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Nahenahe |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2005 : 2:18:15 PM
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Do I have a cure for YOU! I bet you have the same thing I have; advancing age! The cure is to get younger. I wish I knew who sold that stuff. YOur afflicition is far worse than mine; all I hae is knees that quit working about 6 months ago, so I cannot play handball, at least for now. But it would be far more important to me if I could not play my guitar.
I do hope you can find help, and the first thing I would od is get a second, third or fourth opinion. Actuall, I would tell the (most likely) arrogant son of a gunwho saw you first to communicate with you. Give you some idea what it MIGHT be, what you could do. Ask him, if he doesn;t volunteeer the inf, should I rest it, ice it, get it to lose some weight, hang from it, take up rock climbing, take a hike. THese guys are notorious for aloofness and unwillingness to divulge any information useful to their patients. I am a veterinarian and try to talk as much as I can to clients about options, possibilities,alternatives, and, although I am pretty good at the orthopedic side of things, I still am not too proud to say "I don;t know" and refer you to someone else. So, ask him ( i assume it;s a him) "do you know what is wrong with me; If not, do you know someone who would know?" This does two things; first, it empowers you because you are working for yourself and your interests, and, secondly (depending on just how arrogant this guy is-some border on stupidity) it makes them think, "geez, maybe I should REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THAT FINGER; AFTER ALL, I AM CHARGING $250 PER OFFICE CALL, and an xray wouldn;t hurt; maybe she could go to a massage therapist, a chirpractor, a..." whatever. If the second scenario does not play out, you're in teh wrong doctor's office.
I've had a long orthopedic history, having played rugby, handball, flying light aircraft (and occassionally landing a bit hard), building log homes, etc. and I have met perhaps a dozen of them. Out of the bunch, i would go back to only two. And they were both good communicators, good LISTENERS, who made up their minds what to do only after they had heard what the patient was saying, after a good thorough examination, and putting the two together, then coming up with treatment options from which I could choose. The others might have been good doctors, but i don;t like to be treated like a number.
Good luck |
Karl
Frozen North |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2005 : 6:05:43 PM
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Get consultation.
If your doc won;y be helpful -- drive elsewhere -- check out OT's or PT's or chiropracters -- get help soon |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2005 : 05:19:41 AM
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I know this is a consultation by remote control, and I don't even play a doctor on TV, but what you describe is very similar to what happened to me and Sarah.The joint swelling(and I take it is a knuckle joint) indicates a capsule tear. Tendons don't usually swell noticeably. All this is according to my doctor, who is a really great diagnostician, and he did all the proper workups. He said he could splint it, but that wouldn't help very much and he actually wanted me to move the joint somewhat during healing.The swelling gradually went down over a month, the pain went away and range of motion returned to normal after a few months. This also happened to Sarah two times and she found out that it is a consequence of bending the joint sideways. Sarah used to work in the orthopedics department, and she got expert advice from docs who were her friends. You should probably take something like ibuprofen, and icing wouldn't hurt either.
So, if I am right, you have to baby it and it should return to normal after a month or two. Nonetheless, as others have said, you should get a second opinion from a doctor you respect.
... Reid |
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neeej
`Olu`olu
USA
643 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2005 : 3:44:02 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Karl Monetti
.....I am a veterinarian....
Hmmm...are you on VIN? Your name strikes a chime (12th fret, of course <G>) |
--Jean S |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2005 : 9:50:40 PM
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Keep checkin for people who will help...
and if you're HMO or whateva, be persistent, the meek do not inherit good health care!
Is there a doctor or PT in the Patch?
It could be time for a topic of
"Care and Feeding of the fingers and beyond".
Some of us are double secret AARP, and it's a miracle what ANY of us do with our fingers at any age--even the most modest talent is a miraculous series of micro events.
I have a PT friend, who's not aware of the Taropatch...but I'm workin' on it!
She's a songwriter and PT who specializes in Musician PT outside of the day job...
So I may work on getting more info there.
There must be others with knowledge, friends or experiences too.
I also wonder about diet stuff, supplements, the old safe warmups discussion (for healthy and wannabe healthy fingers), and GOOD diagnostics and REAL, effective treatments for the myriad problems that string instrument players encounter.
For instance, I actually sense some personal progress with arthritis with recent use of Flaxseed oil--not the pills.
Also, am considering acupunture as an angle of treatment.
But for your specific problem, jmk, find someone who cares and digs a little deeper.
G
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jmk
Lokahi
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2005 : 10:52:56 PM
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| A big Mahalo for all the excellent advice. I found a plastic surgeon who had Hand training and got in today on a cancellation. 1 drawback to living on the Big Island is there is not much of a selection of physicians. after exam, he said it may possibly be 'gout' & put me on ibuprofen 600mg 3X/day. said to keep it elevated above the heart whenever possible. rest it & come back 1-1/2 wks. he sent me for xrays! i am grateful for everyones words and encouragement. |
Nahenahe |
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