Expert: Russ King - 11/12/2007

Question
QUESTION: The same thing has happened to my ring finger that someone else asked about.  I have a fingertip ball that I've had for many years and I've never had a problem with it.  2 weeks ago, while bowling in my league, during the 5th frame of my 3rd game, my ring finger felt like it popped out of the socket and hurt like nothing I've ever felt before.  There was some light brownish-purple bruising around the base and even on back of my hand between the fingers.  The base of my finger is still swollen 2 weeks later...I wonder if I'll ever be able to put my ring on again.  The pain is gone, except sometimes when I wake up my hand feels cramped and tight and I have to massage my palm just below the fingers.  It feels like what I would imagine arthritis is like.  I bowled last week and did well, but I am paying for like 3-4 days after.  What should I do?  I don't want to quit bowling, but I don't want to cause permanent damage, either.

ANSWER:  There are se4veral things you can try.
First, try tape. Tape up your finger between the joints with either athletic tape or the bowling friction tape you can stick to your finger.This will support the stresses on your finger.

I do not know how old you are. So I do not know if it is arthritis or a hand that has changed & needs a grip update.

 You may need to get the span checked or tweak the finger pitch to lessen the stresses by reducing the bending angles of the joint.All spans should be updated atleast every season.

If you are doing something extra or new with your hand like hammering or driving screws oe even a change in jobs can cause a change in your hand.THIS IS ALSO ARTHRITIS SEASON.

YOU MAY HAVE JUST COUGHT IT WRONG.THIS MAY BE ONLY A ONE TIME THING.THINGS POP & SNAP SOMETIMES FOR NO REASON.BUT CHECK-UPDATE YOUR GRIP IF NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THAT POSSIBILITY.

A LITTLE SUPPORT WITH TAPE UNTIL YOUR FINGER GETS BETTER IS THE SECOND BEST THING RIGHT NOW. THE FIRST IS A WEEK OR 2 OFF FROM BOWLING.LET IT HEAL. THIS WILL ALSO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO CHECK OUT THE GRIP. REMEMBER, YOUR FINGER WHILE INJURED , WILL HURT & BE SWOLEN. SO, KEEP THIS IN MIND IF YOU CHANGE THE GRIP.IF YOU CHANGE IT WHILE SOAR, YOU WILL NOT UPDATE THE GRIP CORRECTLY.

TAPE UP FOR NOW. THIS WILL NOT CHANGE ANYTHING THAT MIGHT NOT NEED CHANGING.GIVE IT TIME TO HEAL & IF HAPPENS AGAIN, YOU WILL NEED TO TWEAK THE GRIP.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for that very helpful information.  I am a 45 year old female (will be 46 in 3 weeks) and I sure hope it's not arthritis already but I'm afraid it might be.   I will try your recommendations with the taping and see if that gives me some relief.  I can see that the swelling is going down, but that bottom section of my finger looks like I have a little 'pillow' there when I bend it and I wonder if it will ever go away and allow me to put my ring back on.  I think I will also take your advice and take 2 weeks off from bowling.  Better to let my team use my 'blind' score than to bowl badly and re-injure myself.  Best regards and happy holidays!

Answer
I am glad your going to rest the finger.Many people press an injury so far, it remains hurt & never heals.

Tape only for support. No pressure should be added by the tape. Only lightly wrap not tight so when your finger is strained, the tape adds support.

I will be 46 in July and my fingers/hand has arthritis. They swell up in humidity so I have to soak them in hot water like in the shower before bowling to loosen them up.
IT'S HARD GETTING OLDER. NOW MY GAME STARTS IN THE SHOWER!

      >>>>>>>>>> HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<