I seem to have broken, sprained, or dislocated a finger on my right hand. Un accident est si vite arrivé... The injury makes typing problematical. So here's a recent photo. It's Bertie the Black Cat on his favorite perch.
Have you considered arthritis? I sometimes set the joint in my left index finger going by twisting it a bit when drying my hands. I'm fairly sure it's arthritis and the joint is starting to develop damage. Bending my finger is no problem, but straightening it out is. If your finger is not very swollen it is unlikely you have broken or sprained it, and probably not dislocated. Try some ibuprofen gel or just plain old paracetamol. If it really bothers you strap it up and keep it still for a couple of days and see if it improves.
Susan, there may be arthritis involved, but the injury is the result of an accident. The finger doesn't actually hurt, and it is swollen but not terribly. As you say, I can bend it without pain, but I can't really straighten it out. The funny thing is that the fingertip, the pad, is numb. A nerve must be pinched.
Maybe seeing a doctor, sooner than later, would be the wise thing to do. He/she can tell you what it is right away and suggest how to recover the use of your finger. Good luck and a very quick recovery.
Thanks CHM. If I were in pain, I would be at the pharmacy or doctor's office or hospital. But there is no pain, as I've described above. I'm just getting ready to call the new hospital in Saint-Aignan to see if they have an emergency room. My pharmacy is of course closed on Mondays.
Did you injure yourself or did the pain and discomfort manifest itself for no obvious reason. Did you hear or feel it snap? I'm no doctor, but if you know what caused it, you'd better see a (real) doctor. If not, Susan may be right. Wishing you a quick recovery and happy nine-finger typing. Btw, Bertie looks really regal on those cushions. Now we know who really rules your little household! :))
Hi Martine, I forgot to describe the accident. I was re-making the bed, putting on clean sheets etc. I guess I was pulling and pushing a lot around the corners of the mattress to get the fitted sheet on the way it needs to be. I was pushing rather vigorously with my right hand when I heard a pop! or snap! There was no pain, but the end of my ring finger was bent down and the second joint of the finger started swelling.
On second thoughts that popping sound does suggest a dislocation I think. It probably needs manipulation to get it right. A physiotherapist would probably do it.
If it doesn't hurt it's unlikely that you have broken or dislocated it I think. There is a condition called "trigger finger" where a finger will bend but not straighten except with a push and a click. Then there is a condition where a finger can become permanently bent over due to changes in the tendons, but that's a slow process I think. The worrying part is the numbness, which is probably nerve damage. I had something similar in a hand once, caused by repeated pressure on the palm of my hand and the fingers went numb and would not straighten. It took several weeks to clear up. I think it could probably wait until your doctor's appointment as long as it doesn't get worse or your finger goes a funny colour!
I should have gone to the pharmacist's yesterday. I'll go tomorrow and see if I can figure out where the pharmacie de garde is. It would probably be good to immobilize the digit, but that would really put a crimp in my cooking projects!
Thanks OFG. I've survived two sprained ankles — actually the same one twice since about 2005 — and I'll probably survive the sprained finger. I'm kind of getting used to the way it works, sort of, now.
Ouch. Have your finger looked at by a professional. If you wait until Sept. 1, that's another 2 weeks, and if it is dislocated or broken and has set itself in the wrong way, it'll be painful to have it put back where it belongs. I guess you won't have to change the bed next time.
Oh, heavens, so sorry to hear this. Funny, I just twisted my ankle yesterday (but not while changing the sheets on the bed -- taking in groceries!). It's not as bad as your finger sounds, but it's funny how much of an effect any kind of injury can have on normal day-to-day life (speaking of which, how is your mom's wrist?)
LOVE the photo of Bertie, and always happen to see le roi inside the house :)
Lovely cat. You should visit a doctor. My suggestion.
ReplyDeleteMy doctor is on vacation for another week. I have an appointment already scheduled for Sept. 1. Unless the finger gets worse, I'll wait.
DeleteYAYZ!!!!! we do not see enough of le roi bertie! handsome boy!
ReplyDeletego get your finger checked, SVP!
The nearest emergency room is in Blois. I don't want to drive up there.
DeleteTypos will be forgiven then.
ReplyDeleteNine-finger typing might mean a lot of characters will be missing from my words and sentences.
DeleteDon't type...
ReplyDeleteDictate to Walt...
post the file!!
And...
get your digit seen to!!
All the very best wishes from here for a speedy recovery.
Justa thought...
Deleteit isn't "Repetetive Strain Injury" from pitting all those mirabelles, is it?
Tim, Walt offered to take dictation but I'm just hunting and pecking on the keyboard instead.
DeleteHave you considered arthritis? I sometimes set the joint in my left index finger going by twisting it a bit when drying my hands. I'm fairly sure it's arthritis and the joint is starting to develop damage. Bending my finger is no problem, but straightening it out is. If your finger is not very swollen it is unlikely you have broken or sprained it, and probably not dislocated. Try some ibuprofen gel or just plain old paracetamol. If it really bothers you strap it up and keep it still for a couple of days and see if it improves.
ReplyDeleteSusan, there may be arthritis involved, but the injury is the result of an accident. The finger doesn't actually hurt, and it is swollen but not terribly. As you say, I can bend it without pain, but I can't really straighten it out. The funny thing is that the fingertip, the pad, is numb. A nerve must be pinched.
DeleteMaybe seeing a doctor, sooner than later, would be the wise thing to do. He/she can tell you what it is right away and suggest how to recover the use of your finger. Good luck and a very quick recovery.
ReplyDeleteThanks CHM. If I were in pain, I would be at the pharmacy or doctor's office or hospital. But there is no pain, as I've described above. I'm just getting ready to call the new hospital in Saint-Aignan to see if they have an emergency room. My pharmacy is of course closed on Mondays.
DeleteDid you injure yourself or did the pain and discomfort manifest itself for no obvious reason. Did you hear or feel it snap? I'm no doctor, but if you know what caused it, you'd better see a (real) doctor. If not, Susan may be right. Wishing you a quick recovery and happy nine-finger typing. Btw, Bertie looks really regal on those cushions. Now we know who really rules your little household! :))
ReplyDeleteHi Martine, I forgot to describe the accident. I was re-making the bed, putting on clean sheets etc. I guess I was pulling and pushing a lot around the corners of the mattress to get the fitted sheet on the way it needs to be. I was pushing rather vigorously with my right hand when I heard a pop! or snap! There was no pain, but the end of my ring finger was bent down and the second joint of the finger started swelling.
DeleteOn second thoughts that popping sound does suggest a dislocation I think.
DeleteIt probably needs manipulation to get it right. A physiotherapist would probably do it.
If it doesn't hurt it's unlikely that you have broken or dislocated it I think.
ReplyDeleteThere is a condition called "trigger finger" where a finger will bend but not straighten except with a push and a click.
Then there is a condition where a finger can become permanently bent over due to changes in the tendons, but that's a slow process I think.
The worrying part is the numbness, which is probably nerve damage. I had something similar in a hand once, caused by repeated pressure on the palm of my hand and the fingers went numb and would not straighten. It took several weeks to clear up.
I think it could probably wait until your doctor's appointment as long as it doesn't get worse or your finger goes a funny colour!
I should have gone to the pharmacist's yesterday. I'll go tomorrow and see if I can figure out where the pharmacie de garde is. It would probably be good to immobilize the digit, but that would really put a crimp in my cooking projects!
DeleteIf you're cooking invalidated, do you think Walt would be able to take over for a while? Lolololololol!
DeleteActually, Walt did a lot of the cooking today. It's really collaborative. Or at least a division of labor.
Deletei'm so sorry for your injury! but i do love a pic of Bertie the King. hope you get fixed up soon.
ReplyDelete:-)
Thanks OFG. I've survived two sprained ankles — actually the same one twice since about 2005 — and I'll probably survive the sprained finger. I'm kind of getting used to the way it works, sort of, now.
Deletespeedy recovery....sorry about your injury...good to see Mr B....are he & Callie getting along better now?
ReplyDeleteRelations between cat and dog are a little better, but not that much. Maybe someday we will have peace and love among the animals.
DeleteHope you can find a pharmacie de garde which isn't miles away. Take care and here's wishing you a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteLovely snap of Bertie BTW.
I'll see tomorrow. I think the pharmacy is the best place to start, given that my doctor is en vacances.
DeleteOuch! I hope you can get is seen sooner rather than later, as others have said. It does not sound good. But Bertie looks good!
ReplyDeleteThanks, C. Looking forward to seeing you in October. I should be recovered by then.
DeleteOuch. Have your finger looked at by a professional. If you wait until Sept. 1, that's another 2 weeks, and if it is dislocated or broken and has set itself in the wrong way, it'll be painful to have it put back where it belongs. I guess you won't have to change the bed next time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen. Off to the pharmacy, there to start the trek to recovery, tomorrow,
DeleteOh, heavens, so sorry to hear this. Funny, I just twisted my ankle yesterday (but not while changing the sheets on the bed -- taking in groceries!). It's not as bad as your finger sounds, but it's funny how much of an effect any kind of injury can have on normal day-to-day life (speaking of which, how is your mom's wrist?)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the photo of Bertie, and always happen to see le roi inside the house :)
uummm... make that "happy" to see Bertie inside the house :)
ReplyDeleteThat'll teach you to make the bed! I'm sorry you got hurt.
ReplyDelete