posted
Got new x-rays of the knees but the Dr. appointment had to be rescheduled as there was an emergency trauma surgery so we'll head back down again next Tuesday (the 29th).
Visited with the occupational therapist about my hands and fingers. She gave me some exercises and a splint for the finger that "locks" in position sometimes. It may be possible to head off a surgery.
She checked the x-rays of the hands and said that all she could see was arthritis but nothing really causative for the flareups.
-------------------- I have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 665 | From Lost Wages, NV | Registered: May 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The kind of stuff that bothers our hands usually cannot be SEEN on any imaging device. Although, it's sure nice to rule out other things.
Soft tissue can be just screaming and it won't show on imaging. A thermogram will show inflammation points, though, as it records heat.
All of my fingers "trigger" and "lock" - not all at the same time, though. After that "lock" it's like they plucked a nerve and it takes a couple days for the pain to subside. I sure hope that is not what you are experiencing.
I also have some major tendons that have just disappeared, or seem to be "glued" to my bones. Inner wrist, side of ankle, Achilles - all just not there. I've wondered if other lyme patients have this. (Again, were I ever to have had a LLMD, I would have asked). The last link below gives some hints, though.
Back to trigger fingers - Beyond exercise, myofascial therapy/ massage can be very helpful but best done by a massage therapist. I try to do it myself but usually cause irritation and it's really hard on elbows to massage one's own hands.
In my experience, hand exercisers and squeezes (and even some of the stretches) have caused me much damage. It's best to have someone else massage the knots, gently. I know I need to address the collagen issue and SILICA may be one thing to help there.
I think lyme has a lot to do with this. I've never had a doctor or OT, or PT ever offer any help. They all just look at me - or my hands and say nothing. (But, I've never had a LLMD look and I've never had "official" treatment.)
Although not about lyme, you might want to look up work of some of these presenters - and find their home page and this year's line-up: ---------
The Twenty-Seventh Annual Symposium on Medical Problems of Musicians & Dancers
Monday, June 22 - Thursday, June 25, 2009 Snowmass, CO
Controversies, (Motor) Control and Circus
=====================
You might also contact her. I've seen her for guitar lessons regarding ergonomics. She is very well versed in matters of injury/stress for guitarists. Very approachable.
. . . At Central Jersey Hand Surgery, we are now performing a new, less invasive technique of trigger release. Surgery is performed percutaneously through a small incision, using a specially designed knife. . . .
. . . Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also develop in untreated LD. . . .
. . . Even in the well conditioned athlete, there can be an unexpected spate of muscle cramps, sprains, tendinitis and bone or joint pains at the sites of load bearing. . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
That's a bummer that you have to go back again, Tx... Is it a long way??
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
TxC, have you been diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture?
My dad has this in both of his hands (diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hands). It limits his movements but he is still able to work and perform activities of daily living. The surgeon recommended holding off on surgery until he was unable to use his hands or if it started to cause great pain.
This is going to sound crazy but my chiropractor friend (a very trusted good friend) recommended that my dad use the end of a metal spoon to rub at the base of the affected fingers and palm (where the bump and contractures begin). I freaked when my dad told me what my friend suggested. I had been telling my dad for months to quit picking at his fingers and here my friend goes and tells him to dig in with a spoon!
Well, come to find out my dad said that the "spoon therapy" helped relieve some of the tightness. And it did not cause pain like you would imagine it would. His fingers have not gotten worse, it has been a couple years now since his diagnosis so it must be helping!
Take care TxC, I hope that you will be able to recover quickly with physical and occupational therapy and avoid surgery Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Thanks for the help. We are about 165 miles from the hospital but it is almost all freeway until we hit the city. It takes about 3 hours (depending on traffic and how many times we stop for "breaks") to get there.
The drive is usually nice but once I hit city driving, things get a bit more tense as city drivers don't always follow the rules!
-------------------- I have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 665 | From Lost Wages, NV | Registered: May 2006
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i'm sorry to hear about this. i know those trips can be bad cause i've been in salt lake traffic. hated it...
maybe heat..
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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