Trigger Thumb
Slipkid
Posted 2008-09-03 4:41 PM (#22397)
Subject: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Trigger Thumb.
That's what I got. It's kinda like a carpal tunnel thing where the tendon and/or the guide tube gets inflamed and snags up.
The darn thing was just not getting better so I went to see the doc & got a cortizone shot.

I have not been able to play more than a couple minutes worth of cowboy chords for almost 4 weeks now. It's driving me crazy(er).

Take care of those hands people!
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CrimsonLake
Posted 2008-09-03 4:49 PM (#22398 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
That sucks Brad! The cortizone shot was probably as painful as the injury. I get a lot of pain in my left hand if I play too many bar chords for too long on an acoustic.

I hope it heals quickly and you can get back on the horse - those shots usually work wonders.
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Jeff W.
Posted 2008-09-03 4:55 PM (#22399 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
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Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
I'da gone for the morphine...

Hope you get to getting better!
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2008-09-03 4:56 PM (#22400 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15674

Location: SoCal
I feel for you Brad.

Time to learn slide.....
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Northcountry
Posted 2008-09-03 6:15 PM (#22401 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

This has got to be one of the scariest posts in a while! I smashed my wrist pretty good years ago, impact fractures all through my wrist. Every once in a while I get the numb tingle thing that jumps up my arm when playing bass and digging for the low E string. I feel for ya brother, I know I will reach the age where guitar playing will be to difficult to deal with, and it is not that long in coming, but I sure would hate to have something like this hit me now. I still have so much to learn and so much I still want to do with music.

Get well Brad.
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BT717
Posted 2008-09-03 6:23 PM (#22402 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711

Location: Vernon CT
Get better soon Brad. Went 6 weeks without playing after having a small noncancerous Tumor removed from my right lower abdomen. It sucked not playing for that long!!!
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Beal
Posted 2008-09-03 6:26 PM (#22403 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
Is it possible to live without not playing that long?
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MusicMishka
Posted 2008-09-03 6:31 PM (#22404 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567

Location: Blue Ridge Mountains
Get better Brad. I had an elbow that needed a series of cortizone shots a while back: painful but it did help eventually...give it time and don't push it: I have yet to read of anyone dying from not playing the guitar for a period of time... ;)
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-09-03 6:35 PM (#22405 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759

Location: Boise, Idaho
It's hell getting old, isn't it? I just finished talking to one of my soccer buddies. I used to be in good shape from playing soccer, but broke my left arm, toes and several ribs, along with countless sprains and stitches from soccer. I haven't had any of those injuries lately, but now my back hurts all the time and I'm out of shape. I think I'd prefer the soccer injuries to the "you're getting old" injuries.
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2008-09-03 7:15 PM (#22406 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
Before they invented the term "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" it was just called Getting Old!

But I feel for you... I get some annoying pains and just hope this doesn't destroy my hobby.

Be a damn shame to have all these guitars and not be able to play them.

(I mean not be able to play them at all, not "Not be able to play them Well" :D )
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Beal
Posted 2008-09-03 9:50 PM (#22407 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
I had elbow problems too, tennis elbow from golf. Had teh shots and got over it and am better.

Willie on Amelia had a trigger (ring)finger and had it operated on. Worked out fine for him.

A good time to be in open tuning with a flatback guitar and a slide. Work on the right hand picking patterns.
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stephent28
Posted 2008-09-03 9:54 PM (#22408 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
Originally posted by Jeff W.:
I'da gone for the morphine...
I wouda used chloroform.
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muzza
Posted 2008-09-03 11:26 PM (#22409 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736

Location: Sunshine State, Australia
One thing about getting older is you've got a built in weather station. It started raining here last night and I know its set in for quite a few days, coz my left knee aches like hot razorblades when I climb the stairs.

Glad it's my knee and not my hands. I feel for you Brad. Did you get your 'Members' Night Out' submission in before you succumbed?
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MusicMishka
Posted 2008-09-04 12:33 AM (#22410 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567

Location: Blue Ridge Mountains
Hey, I just had a thought: Al, this get together is just what you need for a "tude" rebalance: great for getting rid of all that frustration...can ya make it?
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schroeder
Posted 2008-09-04 5:22 AM (#22411 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413

Acupuncture and twi-nah massage are the answer not freaking cortisone.
Keeps my elbow going.
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cliff
Posted 2008-09-04 7:29 AM (#22412 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
ditto on the acupuncture.
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Beal
Posted 2008-09-04 8:08 AM (#22413 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
I tried that on the elbow once, did not work.
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Slipkid
Posted 2008-09-04 8:14 AM (#22414 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
What's twi-nah???
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Jeff W.
Posted 2008-09-04 8:19 AM (#22415 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
A clever way to extract money from flaky new-age rubes.
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Weaser P
Posted 2008-09-04 8:26 AM (#22416 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5331

Location: Cicero, NY
Yep. Think it's all coming together now...
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Slipkid
Posted 2008-09-04 8:46 AM (#22417 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Got the shot 18 hours ago.
Feels about 75% better already.

Take care of those guitar playing hands!
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gulfcoast
Posted 2008-09-04 9:30 AM (#22418 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1330

Location: ms
Slipkid, don`t be too upset if it comes back. I had my first set of shots for trigger thumb when i was 40 i`ll be 50 in Nov and it still gets sore but its not quite bad enought to get it fixed. I know a couple of guys that got it fixed and had no trouble at all. I`m having tendon trouble in my left hand ring finger and pinky right now. My doc thinks it may be a side effect from taking the drug cipro.
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Slipkid
Posted 2008-09-04 9:48 AM (#22419 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Doc said if the shots don't do it a simple surgery will.

Gulf... I hope your's gets better too.
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MWoody
Posted 2008-09-04 10:18 AM (#22420 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13994

Location: Upper Left USA
This sucks.
All you old guys are talking about your ailments and not only am I listening but I can join in robustly!

When did that happen?

A couple of years ago it the De Courvane's (sp) inflammation of the thumb tendon. Place your thumb inside fisted fingers and tilt down. If hit hurts like heck, you got it. Well placed Cortisone took it down.

Inner Knee Tendonitus, TFM or Transverse Fibrous Massage, calf stretches and some ultrasonic therapy.

Had to go to the ER this Labor day weekend for four stitches in my right pointer. Whilst trimming Maples the Machete slid back about 6 inches slicing deeply into the meat of the finger. Too close for me.

Next appointment is for Right arm tendonitus. It locks up at night and the "Trigger finger" is there when the rest is swollen.

In each case the most important step is proper diagnosis. The rest is debatable.
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ProfessorBB
Posted 2008-09-04 1:48 PM (#22421 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881

Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
Knock on wood, no thumb problems yet. First two fingers on both hands are crooked and deformed from not properly dealing with past injuries, but there has never been any pain, and strength and flexibility continue to be nearly 100%. I also had a hand doctor once tell me to try and keep my arms and fingers straight while sleeping. I have made a conscious attempt to do this ever since. It seems to work. Maybe one of our doctor members could chime in here.
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stephent28
Posted 2008-09-04 2:24 PM (#22422 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
For those that remember (or even care) I had that ulnar nerve injury about 2 years ago that rendered my left hand half-ass useless for almost a year.

Couldn't bar chords because of lack of strength, couldn't do simple chords due to lack of control.....it was a scary scary thing and I still wake up some nights with my hand basically numb and I have to rub it for 5-20 minutes before it gets back to what I now consider normal. When I wake up like that it just scares the crap out of me.

Brad hope yours gets better cause hand injuries just sucks the big one!
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Jeff W.
Posted 2008-09-04 3:00 PM (#22423 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
My navel's getting deeper.
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Beal
Posted 2008-09-04 3:19 PM (#22424 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
that's a different disease.
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cliff
Posted 2008-09-04 3:36 PM (#22425 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
and it's "spreading" . . .
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CrimsonLake
Posted 2008-09-04 4:02 PM (#22426 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
Just remember to keep changing the lint filter... you don't want that bad boy clogging up.
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cliff
Posted 2008-09-04 4:06 PM (#22427 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
'specially since it's what he breathes thru . . .
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Waskel
Posted 2008-09-04 5:12 PM (#22428 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
That explains the snorkel...
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Jeff W.
Posted 2008-09-04 5:14 PM (#22429 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
That's no snorkel...
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stephent28
Posted 2008-09-04 5:28 PM (#22430 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
Then why is it in your mouth and between your ears?
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Jeff W.
Posted 2008-09-04 7:56 PM (#22431 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
Riiiight, like YOU wouldn't, if you could.
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stephent28
Posted 2008-09-04 8:13 PM (#22432 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
;)
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Beal
Posted 2008-09-04 8:14 PM (#22433 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
OY!
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Northcountry
Posted 2008-09-04 8:38 PM (#22434 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Will someone draw this so I can keep up.
Thanks.
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FlySig
Posted 2008-09-04 9:33 PM (#22435 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4063

Location: Utah
Another visual that's going to haunt me for days!
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CrimsonLake
Posted 2008-09-04 9:37 PM (#22436 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ


Sorry... I had to do something quick to get rid of that image...
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2ifbyC
Posted 2008-09-04 10:00 PM (#22437 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
...ah yes, Captain Morgana!
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MWoody
Posted 2008-09-04 10:14 PM (#22438 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13994

Location: Upper Left USA
...and I have this scar that goes all the way around it. Must have really hurt cuz I don't remember how it happened...
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stephent28
Posted 2008-09-04 10:35 PM (#22439 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
Glad Jeff and I could be of service.


yeah, I know.....another lob!
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Slipkid
Posted 2008-09-05 6:43 PM (#22440 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Bar chords on the Breadwinner... okay.
Just a few bar chords for a short time on the Balladeer... not 100% but not bad.
I'm allowing myself a little hope.
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stephent28
Posted 2008-09-05 7:06 PM (#22441 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
Brad,
Can you PLEASE stop trying to drag this thread back on topic!
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Slipkid
Posted 2008-09-05 7:09 PM (#22442 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
*** snorkel snorkel ***
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CrimsonLake
Posted 2008-09-05 7:10 PM (#22443 - in reply to #22397)
Subject: Re: Trigger Thumb


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
Originally posted by stephent28:
Glad Jeff and I could be of service.


yeah, I know.....another lob!
Fargin Bastiges
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