I was recently diagnosed with an unusual medical problem. When I awakened in the AM, the middle finger of my right hand was curled in. Sometimes it took some effort to straighten it out. Eventually, during the day, it would straighten and not be a problem. However, it seemed to be getting worse and I went to the MD. It seems the muscle that bends that finger is inflamed and will not slide easily through a "sheath" through which it passes. So the finger once bent, tends to stay bent because the muscle is stuck. Treatment progression is: first, try antiinflamatories to reduce the swelling; second, inject some cortisone into the joint at the base of the finger; third, outpatient surgery to split the "sheath" to free the muscle's passage.

As a guitarist, I have some concern. Anyone have some experience with this condition? I'd like to know. I told the doctor I needed to resolve the issue so I could give a warning sign to drivers who get in my way.

Roger in Baltimore