I had a tendon transfer on my thumb in March. I had to wear a splint for ages. Now my thumb is more useful than it was, but the splinting seems to have affected my middle finger.
Life sometimes takes me 2 steps forward , and then 3 steps back.
My middle finger is stuck in a bent position. I can make a fist, but I can't straighten it anymore.
I feel a bit panicky. My consultant thinks a night splint will help, but my physio says it won't, but may make it worse, or stick it in a straight position.
Is this it now? Do I have to learn to live with this ugly deformed finger? I feel like a good cry, but that won't actually change anything, will it?
It really is so very distressing sometimes, isn't it!
Oh Phoebe.....I really feel for you...I don't have the finger deformity you have but there is a lump "growing" on my right wrist (which is my worst side). Even when the pain & inflammation has died down a bit I'm still left with the lump. Am hoping it will eventually go once Cimzia fully kicks in....will have to ask my rheumy nurse when I go back at the end of Aug.
I would have thought your physio would be better placed to advise you....my consultant once tried to make wear a splint on my wrist but that was so uncomfortable it actually hurt more! Where I work we have a masseur come in every month and he focuses on my hands & wrist.....don't know if it'll help long term but it does feel good!
It is all so distressing.....but don't despair...your not alone. xxx
Thank you, you are probably right. The physio will probably know best.
I am seeing her next week. But I am not optimistic.
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My physio did help me a lot with exercises when my hands were really in dire shape. Now they don't fully grip and I just had to ask my OH to break off a piece of dark chocolate for me because they are rather weak but they will do and I can work etc. I remember getting really low about two of my fingers refusing to bend at all and you cheered me up a bit I think - but I can't recall how so I can't say the same soothing things back to you - I'm sorry. Once I even sat on my forefinger to make it bend - it didn't help at all but it does show how frustrated I used to get with it sticking out all the time. Finger exercises from the physio and a meeting with a hospital OT trained in hands really helped. Can you ask to be referred to a hand specialist I wonder? X
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Been sitting on my finger to make it straight!! Seeing Physio on Tuesday. Fingers crossed! Haha as if ...
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