Best cure for strained & bruised fingers

Subject: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 01:48 PM

I am looking for the best cure and roote to recovery for strained and bruised fingers. I fell on a hard stony track and bent the fingers of my left hand about a week ago. I bathed them in cold water but they swelled and some went purple. The swelling is well down now and colour is fading.

Ok, I have to come out of closet here: I play tunes on the tenor banjo. Should I play or rest - Are their other things I can do to aid recovery?

Jokes I've heard a few but then again too few to mention ................

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: GUEST,#
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 03:30 PM

Are you differentiating between a sprain and a strain?

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 06:55 PM

A broken hand will heal in time.

Use it. The muscles will re-align the bones.

I sincerely suggest you consult the BEST hand surgeon in your region for an x-ray and evaluation.

Gargoyle

If carpol tunnel becomes involved...you will be experiencing endless nights.

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 07:38 PM

Agree with that: X-rays a week or more after injury are more likely to show up fractures than those taken at the time of injury. Even if there is a fracture, there may not be a lot that can be done for it, but you need to find out what you are dealing with, so that you can get the best course of action sorted out. And also, having made contact with the NHS, you may get offered physiotherapy.
Otherwise just do what you are reasonably comfortable with: total rest could result in permanent stiffness and disability - but get the X-ray first!

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 07:12 AM

I am fairly sure nothing is broken. I can move all fingers and joints and even play a few tunes. The swelling has gone down and the colour is fading.

We have a gig a week on Thursday and I would like to move recovery on a bit if I can.

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 07:35 AM

Aleve (naproxen sodium) gives me some relief when I overdo it while banjo playing or wood working but if pain is really and issue a doctor could prescribe something more effective. I take Tramadol for a bad knee occasionally and when I do it does away with the pain and stiffness in my hands. Just read up on possible side effects.

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 08:04 AM

Les, I suffer from arthritis in my right thumb, not good for a guitar player. I use an arthritis ease oil which helps a good deal, reduces swelling, eases the discomfort. It consists of sweet almond, sweet marjoram, ginger and cypress, juniper and lavender oils. I don't know if they actually do anything medically but it works for me.

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: GUEST,#
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 09:08 AM

I'd suggest you see a doctor and follow his/her advice. As a btw, there is considerable difference between sprains and strains although few people know what the differences are. Treatments are different also. I am sorry to have responded to this thread. Good luck with the prognosis if indeed you do see a doctor.

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: maeve
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 09:45 AM

Hi, Les. I could move all fingers without difficulty when I broke my arm. I could also use my finger when I fractured it. I'd agree with Guest, #. See your doctor... please.

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: Nick
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 11:00 AM

I snapped my fibula a couple of years ago and after a day of rest walked round on it, drove to work and couldn't believe it when three days after doing it I went and had an x-ray 'just in case' and it turned out to have a clean break in it.

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 01:35 PM

Ok swelling going down, pain going down. I am wearing an elastic bandage.

Any further advice?

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 01:50 PM

If you have eliminated the possibiility of a fracture you might want to try green-lipped mussel gel (Pernaton is the only brand I know of). Good for wear and tear stuff like osteoarthritis.

I'm not sure there are any approved drugs to treat tenor banjo abuse.

Subject: RE: Best cure for strained & bruised fingers
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 02:50 AM

Thanks Jack. How many Green Lipped Muscles have to die to make a tube of gel?

Now, "tenor banjo abuse" tricky phrase altogether .............. here in Manchester we only treat banjos with the utmost loving care - as people do who know and value them for the fine and sensitive instruments that they are.

Thanks again for all the above advice