Discussion
So I dislocated my little finger at the PIP joint two months ago, and have been in a splint ever since.
This week I've finally got rid of the splint, but have noticed I can't straighten the tip of my little finger. I can manipulate it into position (doesn't hurt), but can't hold it in place.
Will this go away in time? Or should I get it checked? Have a little range of exercises to do, but I find it a bit odd considering it was the PIP that was damaged (torn volar plate?)
This week I've finally got rid of the splint, but have noticed I can't straighten the tip of my little finger. I can manipulate it into position (doesn't hurt), but can't hold it in place.
Will this go away in time? Or should I get it checked? Have a little range of exercises to do, but I find it a bit odd considering it was the PIP that was damaged (torn volar plate?)
I broke my right elecronon (part of the elbow joint) last February and had to have my arm in a cast for 5 weeks.
Once removed I could not straighten my arm properly and even now, some 17 months later, I still can't fully straighten it
Means I can't play the drums properly anymore
But i can still hold a pint glass
Once removed I could not straighten my arm properly and even now, some 17 months later, I still can't fully straighten it
Means I can't play the drums properly anymore
But i can still hold a pint glass
Maybe .. it does seem a little weaker .. would it have wasted away that much in 2 months? It wasn't completely immobile, I was allowed to remove the splint and do stretching/resistance exercises
edit: wizzpig the joint that was dislocated was the one nearer the palm, not the one near the end of the finger .. yet it's the end of the finger I can't straighten, the joint I dislocated isn't as bad.
>> Edited by john_p on Thursday 21st July 17:37
edit: wizzpig the joint that was dislocated was the one nearer the palm, not the one near the end of the finger .. yet it's the end of the finger I can't straighten, the joint I dislocated isn't as bad.
>> Edited by john_p on Thursday 21st July 17:37
john_p said:
Gratuitous x-ray pic, just because it's still in my webspace
www.mdload.com/cc/Image010.jpg
Looks like your end's come away!
Have you been given any exercises to do?
I once had my arm in a splint for a month after some tendon trouble meant I could no longer move my thumb. When the splint came off, a) my arm muscles had scarily wasted away; b) I had to go to occupational therapy and do exercises with the result that all is now 100% back to normal, strength in arm/hand and movement of thumb ..... Just keep at it!
I once had my arm in a splint for a month after some tendon trouble meant I could no longer move my thumb. When the splint came off, a) my arm muscles had scarily wasted away; b) I had to go to occupational therapy and do exercises with the result that all is now 100% back to normal, strength in arm/hand and movement of thumb ..... Just keep at it!
It's soft tissue contracture (Davis' Law IIRC).
Basically if you hold any body part in a fixed position for a considerable length of time (and 2 weeks is considerable), the soft tissues maintaining that position will either stretch or contract to suit that position.
EG. having your arm cast in a flexed position will result in an effective lengthening of the triceps and shortening of the biceps. This will resulting in you not being able to extend your arm to a straight position.
The fix is regular, normal use and stretching exercises.
Did you get that?
Basically if you hold any body part in a fixed position for a considerable length of time (and 2 weeks is considerable), the soft tissues maintaining that position will either stretch or contract to suit that position.
EG. having your arm cast in a flexed position will result in an effective lengthening of the triceps and shortening of the biceps. This will resulting in you not being able to extend your arm to a straight position.
The fix is regular, normal use and stretching exercises.
Did you get that?
dave_s13 said:
It's soft tissue contracture (Davis' Law IIRC).
Basically if you hold any body part in a fixed position for a considerable length of time (and 2 weeks is considerable), the soft tissues maintaining that position will either stretch or contract to suit that position.
EG. having your arm cast in a flexed position will result in an effective lengthening of the triceps and shortening of the biceps. This will resulting in you not being able to extend your arm to a straight position.
The fix is regular, normal use and stretching exercises.
Did you get that?
Yep, I get ya
After my cast was removed though I underwent weeks of physiotherapy and exercise and could not get my arm to lock out. Have been doing regular exercise every day for past 17 months and still can't lock it out. It's almost as if the joint has fused in some way, limiting its movement. Have tried forcing it fully open and it wont budge.
Any body mechanical type Phd's able to shed some light on this? Could a fractured elecronon fuse in such a way as to limit movement?
wizzpig said:
It's soft tissue contracture (Davis' Law IIRC).
Basically if you hold any body part in a fixed position for a considerable length of time (and 2 weeks is considerable), the soft tissues maintaining that position will either stretch or contract to suit that position.
EG. having your arm cast in a flexed position will result in an effective lengthening of the triceps and shortening of the biceps. This will resulting in you not being able to extend your arm to a straight position.
The fix is regular, normal use and stretching exercises.
Did you get that?
Yep, I get ya
After my cast was removed though I underwent weeks of physiotherapy and exercise and could not get my arm to lock out. Have been doing regular exercise every day for past 17 months and still can't lock it out. It's almost as if the joint has fused in some way, limiting its movement. Have tried forcing it fully open and it wont budge.
Any body mechanical type Phd's able to shed some light on this? Could a fractured elecronon fuse in such a way as to limit movement?
Basically yes!
Just keep up doing the excersices, it can take a long time. As long as your not in pain and it's not affecting your quality of life then don't worry about it, easy to say I know but it could be a lot worse.
If it is a real problem go see your GP and you should be able to get it sorted. Obviously it will take bloody ages though.
john_p said:
So I dislocated my little finger at the PIP joint two months ago, and have been in a splint ever since.
This week I've finally got rid of the splint, but have noticed I can't straighten the tip of my little finger. I can manipulate it into position (doesn't hurt), but can't hold it in place.
Will this go away in time? Or should I get it checked? Have a little range of exercises to do, but I find it a bit odd considering it was the PIP that was damaged (torn volar plate?)
Can you fully straighten the joint with your other hand, but when you let go, it flops down again? If so, how was the original injury caused? A blow to the finger end, e.g catching a cricket ball, can tear off the tendon which extends (pulls straight) the DIPJ. This is known a mallet finger, and the treatment in the early stage is a "mallet splint" which holds the finger end up to allow the tendon to repair.
At this stage, you may need an operation to repair the tendon. I suggest you see your GP and get him to have a look.
wizzpig said:
Any body mechanical type Phd's able to shed some light on this? Could a fractured elecronon fuse in such a way as to limit movement?
Elbows are very hard to get full movement back after a fracture. The olecranon forms a hook around the base of the humerus and any bulking of the tip (which often happens with a fracture) will block movement. It might recover if you keep working it, and sometimes mobilising (ie having a physio swing on it) it can help.dave_s13 said:
dave_s13 said:
It's soft tissue contracture (Davis' Law IIRC).
Basically if you hold any body part in a fixed position for a considerable length of time (and 2 weeks is considerable), the soft tissues maintaining that position will either stretch or contract to suit that position.
EG. having your arm cast in a flexed position will result in an effective lengthening of the triceps and shortening of the biceps. This will resulting in you not being able to extend your arm to a straight position.
The fix is regular, normal use and stretching exercises.
Did you get that?
....some stuff about my arm.....
Basically yes!
Just keep up doing the excersices, it can take a long time. As long as your not in pain and it's not affecting your quality of life then don't worry about it, easy to say I know but it could be a lot worse.
If it is a real problem go see your GP and you should be able to get it sorted. Obviously it will take bloody ages though.
Thanks dave_s13
Fortunately it doesn't hurt that much, only if I try and force it, or if I attempt to play the drums like I did before I broke it. It does have a habit of seizing then 'clicking' now and again too. Often quite loudly. Though this is just a mild pain, that subsides almost immediately.
I can live with it and will persevere with the exercises. anyone know any good exercises that can be done with the right arm?
Actualy, no, don't answer that Hope your digit recovers soon too john p
john_p said:
Maybe .. it does seem a little weaker .. would it have wasted away that much in 2 months? It wasn't completely immobile, I was allowed to remove the splint and do stretching/resistance exercises
But compared to normal it has had very little use.
If you can straighten it with your other hand it's unlikely to be contractures.
The finger extensors (ie straightener) use one tendon (and some slips to the side) to extend the finger. If you can actively (ie unaided) move the tip of your finger straighter then it isn't completely ruptured. In which case it should just be a case of work on strengthening the muscles.
If it doesn't actively move when you try and straighten your finger then you need to take it back to the fracture clinic to get it checked out.
mechsympathy said:
Any body mechanical type Phd's able to shed some light on this? Could a fractured elecronon fuse in such a way as to limit movement?
I tell you what, never mind NHS online, the PH's collective have all the answers
Thanks mechsympathy. I do remember the physio hanging off my arm which, although a bit painful at the time, did help quite a lot. She was a bit cute though so I couldn't let on a was a total wuss! They also gave me a chopped up balloon to use as resistance while exercising which helped as well. Until my dog ate it.
i seem to have hijacked your thread a bit here john p, i do apologise
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