arthritic like pain on first joint of index finger

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jason@cyberpine.com - 01 Jul 2005 05:33 GMT

37 yo male, otherwise good health.

When I was 16 yo, I went to catch a football and jammed my index
finger. I disregarded the injury and quickly the most outer joint of my
index finger healed dislocated slightly downward. Later, the joint
malformed, Today it seems like there's a small marble under the skin
where my most outer joint should be.

Over the last four years the finger has become very soar and stiff,
often the pain is unbearable. I am now ready (finally, I know this is a
really stupid procrastination case) to see a doctor about repairing the
finger.

I'm an IT professional who types a lot for a living.. can't tell you
how much this finger does for me, especially when you consider
clicking of the mouse.

Some questions,
1. can the finger be repaired with surgery for astetic reasons?
2. If what I have is arthritis, can that be alieviated with surgery?
can that be completely remidied?
3. did I hurt my chances of complete repair by waiting some 20 years to
address it?

As I ask, I recall football legend Dan Marino's pinky finger being so
distored for so many years.. only after retiring did he go under the
nife to fix it.. saw him in an interveiw and it was completely normal
looking.

Thanks for any help or information.

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Paul T. Holland - 01 Jul 2005 22:34 GMT

hey jason, sorry to hear of your problem - try to take em in order:

> 37 yo male, otherwise good health.
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> malformed, Today it seems like there's a small marble under the skin
> where my most outer joint should be.

yupper - more common than you know

> Over the last four years the finger has become very soar and stiff,
> often the pain is unbearable. I am now ready (finally, I know this is a
> really stupid procrastination case) to see a doctor about repairing the
> finger.

you are right that it is better to go ahead than to wait - in most cases.
why put up with something that could be remedied?

> I'm an IT professional who types a lot for a living.. can't tell you
> how much this finger does for me, especially when you consider
> clicking of the mouse.

ouch!

> Some questions,
> 1. can the finger be repaired with surgery for astetic reasons?

qualified maybe. it would depend upon just what degree of traumatic injury
deterioration you have actually suffered - that will determine how much
'repair' can happen. it is worth it to explore.

> 2. If what I have is arthritis, can that be alieviated with surgery?
> can that be completely remidied?

since arthritis is actually many many conditions - only after determining
which one you have can this be answered. but if it is just as a result of
the original injury, then you have a better chance than not.

> 3. did I hurt my chances of complete repair by waiting some 20 years to
> address it?

not necessarily. thou the extra insult to the joint 'might' have been made
worse - only taking a look can answer the degree of outcome.

> As I ask, I recall football legend Dan Marino's pinky finger being so
> distored for so many years.. only after retiring did he go under the
> nife to fix it.. saw him in an interveiw and it was completely normal
> looking.

yup that is common - hope it is for you - now go find a specialist who has
done this lots of times!!!!!!

be well

paul

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