finger pain.

My index finger is hurting and swollen in the mid joint. It's not from climbing but from clicking a computer mouse...which is a job requirement. Should I tape it , elevate wrist, pad it while clicking? It does not hurt while climbing so should I climb more? Ideas?

suck it up?

Streching or frequently extending you fingers it prolly the solution

Tourniquet at the neck. Tighten as necessary.

Mic Fairchild wrote:Tourniquet at the neck. Tighten as necessary.

Freaky!

Lube the finger up then insert directly into your anus for 30 minutes 3 times a day. The heat from your clenching butt hole will increase blood flow to the finger.

Mic Fairchild wrote:Tourniquet at the neck. Tighten as necessary.

Did you mean to say wooden stake to the heart?

When you say mid joint, do you mean the knuckle that connects your finger to your hand? I ask as I have recently have an injury that is particularly aggravated by clicking a mouse and typing to my ligament in my index finger that keeps it from going too far away from the rest of my fingers. It's really painful and feels like a burning sensation in my hand. My knuckle was impressively swollen and still looks deformed. My orthopod says it is probably from crack climbing.

Regarding taping, buddy tape! I found that buddy taping and taping across the knuckles offered the most pain relief. In terms of actually healing the injury, I was in a brace that immobilized the joint and buddy joined the fingers for about 3 weeks until I began weaning myself out and taping for strenuous activity.

Definitely get a pad to elevate your wrist as you type and use the mouse. Minimize movement of the finger as much as possible. You should also be significantly higher than your keyboard and mouse so your wrist and hands are in a relaxed, neutral position.

Physical therapy advice for tubgirl.

BethHux wrote:When you say mid joint, do you mean the knuckle that connects your finger to your hand? I ask as I have recently have an injury that is particularly aggravated by clicking a mouse and typing to my ligament in my index finger that keeps it from going too far away from the rest of my fingers. It's really painful and feels like a burning sensation in my hand. My knuckle was impressively swollen and still looks deformed. My orthopod says it is probably from crack climbing. Regarding taping, buddy tape! I found that buddy taping and taping across the knuckles offered the most pain relief. In terms of actually healing the injury, I was in a brace that immobilized the joint and buddy joined the fingers for about 3 weeks until I began weaning myself out and taping for strenuous activity. Definitely get a pad to elevate your wrist as you type and use the mouse. Minimize movement of the finger as much as possible. You should also be significantly higher than your keyboard and mouse so your wrist and hands are in a relaxed, neutral position.

My fingers are messed up from climbing and bad genetics...but since I backed off from 11 s and started focusing on trad leading there has not been a problem. I also take fish oils regularly with vitamin e . My finger strength is good even on face climbs and crimpy leads. Clicking the mouse and typing is a problem for sure. Now we are required to document every 4 hrs on 6 patients ...All computer charting. None of the computers have adaptive devices to prevent carpal tunnel..ironically in health care. So yes the knuckle gets sore and swollen after 12 hrs 3 days of clicking. I will immobilize and elevate wrist like you said. Thanx hope it helps!

saguaro sandy wrote: My fingers are messed up from climbing and bad genetics...but since I backed off from 11 s and started focusing on trad leading there has not been a problem. I also take fish oils regularly with vitamin e . My finger strength is good even on face climbs and crimpy leads. Clicking the mouse and typing is a problem for sure. Now we are required to document every 4 hrs on 6 patients ...All computer charting. None of the computers have adaptive devices to prevent carpal tunnel..ironically in health care. So yes the knuckle gets sore and swollen after 12 hrs 3 days of clicking. I will immobilize and elevate wrist like you said. Thanx hope it helps!

I feel your pain! I picked up a wrist brace from a riteaid that had the wrist prop built in and a stabilizer across the top, it's a huge help and then you don't have to worry about when you change computers or the prop not being available for your mouse from your keyboard, and vice versa. I have to buddy tape when I belay if I want my hand to be up for climbing. Seeing a hand specialist might be worthwhile...or it might just be depressing. I recommend vitamin I and some topical analgesic ointment.

I had been suffering from RSI (repetitive strain injury) for a couple of years. Both my wrists, my arms and elbows hurt. I couldn't even lift a cup without pain. My pain was caused not from climbing, but from computer related work.

July 2006
At the end of a three-month internship I felt a slight pain in my right wrist for the first time. In the following days I continued to work normally, hoping that after the next weekend everything would be okay again - but it was not. Even switching the mouse to my left hand did not help significantly. The pain had intensified within a week and now both wrists were already equally affected. On the weekend both forearms ...

I have published my whole story on my website rsipain.com/history.php. You'll also find comprehensive information on what helped me in the end to overcome this pain (22,000+ words, so arrange enough time ;)). So if you are a fellow sufferer, I hope this can be of help.

Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) are no joke.

1) Put your mouse on the left side and learn to use it. Most keyboards are extended on the right because of the number-pad, and thus put your right arm in a much worse position.

2) Do a ergonomic evaluation of your position. You can easily find this online.

3) Learn keyboard shortcuts that eliminate mouse-clicks.

4) Get a more ergonomic keyboard and mouse.

5) Take frequent breaks. Stand up, stretch, and "warm-up" your hand/fingers with some sort of squeeze toy. One that looks like your boss with his eyes popping out works best.

Although it doesn't seem to bother you when climbing, it will soon. Don't let it progress that far.

"1) Put your mouse on the left side and learn to use it. Most keyboards are extended on the right because of the number-pad, and thus put your right arm in a much worse position."

This is really good advice since most physical therapists agree that hand and wrist issues often (maybe even usually) are actually caused by a problem in the shoulder/neck. When using the mouse, focus on not shrugging the mouse shoulder, and holding you shoulder back.

Soak hand in hot water as much as possible for immediate relief. When at the office, hold your hand under a hot running faucet for 30 seconds or longer whenever you get a chance.