Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?

Subject: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: Janie
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 10:28 PM

I can no longer play guitar or autoharp because my knuckles often lock up, and I have to literally use the other hand to pull the locked finger straight. (It is getting increasingly painful when this happens.) Anybody know of any gentle exercises, herbs, etc. that might help with this? Doesn't happen with the gentle pressure of the computer keyboard, but is happening often when I grip gardening tools, guitar neck, etc.

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: Kaleea
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 11:23 PM

sometimes this happens as a result of arthritis. Maybe it is something different with you, but years ago, I noticed something like this with me. I ended up taking regular doses of an anti-imflammatory. Now, though, I have Carpal Tunnell resulting from another driver rear ending me, and I have also had to give up instruments like guitar & autoharp. I know just how frustrating this is! Some arthritis is worse than other folks, and there is more than one kind. I suggest that you run, not walk to your Dr., if you have medical coverage of any kind-we pray that you do--& get their opinion. Sometimes the Dr. can figure out some treatment which will help you. I used to run my hands in water as hot as I could stand it, for several minutes. I have also tried alternating heat & cold. There is asperin in the form of a cream you can rub into your skin, and over the counter pain killer/anti inflammatory. Do not give up! Keep moving, no matter how much it hurts, cause if you quit movin', you won't be movin' much longer! Good luck

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 11:32 PM

Hot parafine wax dips - 30 minutes before playing.

Eliminate ALL refined sugars and honey from your diet.

Intensive B vitamins with large triple daily doses of E and C.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: Louie Roy
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 11:41 PM

Janie you have what is called trigger finger and the only cure is a simple operation that used to be done in the doctors office but here in Oregon now it must be done in short stay.All the Doctor does is make a small incision in the palm of your hand cut the tendon and close incision with one stitch.Presto you have your hand back.Louie Roy

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: harpgirl
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 11:42 PM

well, Dr. Gargoyle...have you got a license to practice medicine?

The late Marty Schuman, autoharpist of great repute, used to take two of those gayly painted metal chinese balls you buy at flea markets for about five bucks, in his hands and roll them over and over one another to keep his fingers limber....( lord, I know I'm asking for it from the "shallow running crankbait" but it's true)

hg

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: Charcloth
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 11:43 PM

Buy some cold pressed Castor oil usually found at a health food store. You want COLD PRESSED Castor Oil(Heritage products carries the Palma Christi Castor oil-- in case you have to special order it)
Soak a flannel rag in it & wrap your hands in it & sleep with it every night for a week. You should see a difference rather quicky.
I must tell you though you will have to wrap a plastic bag over the oil soaked rag cause you will get the oil everywhere if you don't.
Not to pipe up for my line of study, but if you find a good massage therapist, they should be able to give you some advice on techniques & exercises as well to help your problem. It would be worth one visit.
Good Luck, Charcloth

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: harpgirl
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 11:44 PM

...my dad "The Navigator" had that operation on his hand from so much computer typing and it worked. You aren't supposed to wait too long or it is difficult to undo, I understand...hg

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Feb 02 - 11:54 PM

If you're having the problem yourself harpy, I'd be happy to provide some gaily painted American balls for you to roll around in your hands........even got a real nice bat you can play with too!

Spaw (hating to ever disappoint)

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: Bo Vandenberg
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 12:25 AM

Some people swear by primrose oil for arthrites and joint difficulty. Haven't tried it myself.

"if I had a signature, I'd sign it in the mor-or-ning!"

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: Janie
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 08:46 AM

Thanks to all of you for several good suggestions for me to try. I am thinking the problem is arthritic in nature because all of fingers (but not my thumbs) are affected. I do wonder about the tendons though. Don't know much about this stuff, but it began a couple of years ago when I started using a small tiller in my garden which vibrates enough to make my fingers numb and tingly. Has gradually gotten worse. I have always been more of singer than a picker, but really miss being able to play. Thanks again for your ideas.

Janie

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: Charcloth
Date: 14 Feb 02 - 09:36 AM

The Castor Oil Treatment does well with Arthritis. Typicaly arthritis in the hands is rheumatic & is an autoimmune disorder. The body thinks it's own cartilige proteins is a foriegn invader & trys to destroy it. For some simple exercises try pinching & squeezing your fingers starting at the tips & move towards the hand. Do this for each finger & then take each finger one by one in your other hand & move each seperate joint of each finger throughout it's normal range of motion & within your pain tolerance. This should help, along with the castor oil if it doesn't improve within a week or three see a DR.
Charcloth

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 11:22 AM

i as well have the same problem but only in my left middle finger. does that mean the same thing.

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: kendall
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 11:49 AM

The muscles of my thumbs are giving me grief. Sharp burning pain.

Subject: RE: Help: Knuckles Locking Up-Any Solutions?
From: Bernard
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 01:44 PM

Get checked out by a doctor - it could be a sign of diabetes (I'm type 2).