Locking Pinky Syndrome

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joepie
  • Start date Start date
that kind of sounds like what happened to me.

Also, when I met Chris Squire, I noticed his hands were like grapefruits, too. Good description. Maybe it's a bass-related thing (though mostly it was my fretting hand).
 
I'm limited to using barre chords, after ending up with permanent nerve damage in my left hand...a neuropathy in the nerves along the 5th metacarpal (pinky finger side). When I play bass, I can sometimes get to notes with that finger, but usually only if I'm paying attention to where I'm putting the finger. Otherwise, I get around the bass neck pretty good, for only having four useable fingers to stop with.

Matt
 
The name of the syndrome is flexor tendinitis or "trigger finger". Essentially it is caused by increased friction between the sheath surrounding the tendon for the affected finger. The sheath may narrow or the tendon may thicken. The finger becomes "stuck" when the tendon catches in the sheath. Irritation from the friction may also cause pain. Steroid injections may help or may just be a temporizing feature. Surgery for trigger finger is minor surgery that can be performed on an outpatient basis with just local anesthesia. Essentially what they do is go in and snip open the sheath to allow the tendon to move freely. I've had it and it worked well for me. It will take about 2 weeks for the incision to heal and about 5 to 6 months or so for your hand to feel normal again. If you choose to have surgery, get an orthopod that specializes in hands - not a general surgeon or a general practice orthopod. It may be minor surgery, but it's your hand.

See:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trigger-finger/DS00155
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top