Swollen palm tendons

[Selden]

I guess this is bike related, so I'm posting this question here. Possibly as an after effect of a crash 18 months ago, which broke my little finger, I have a somewhat elevated, lumpy tendon in the palm of my right hand. The ring finger is quite noticeable; the little finger less so. My primary care physician says this is not uncommon from impact (surgeon saying "Scalpel," jackhammer operator). She says, if it's really bad, it's "fixable" via surgery, but mine is only annoying. It's not painful, and the swelling goes down after a night's sleep. Anybody have any therapies for mitigating this (other than avoiding motorcycle riding, which isn't going to happen)?

[boatzo]

Anybody have any therapies for mitigating this (other than avoiding motorcycle riding, which isn't going to happen)?

 

Avoid MOTORCYCLE riding or live with it

[Lmar]

Have you tried gloves with gel pads on the palm? They may help prevent some swelling?

[Quinn]

Swollen palm tendons, huh? Do you by chance also wear glasses? Have hair growing on the palm also?

 

Seriously, you might give these a look:

http://www.qwinerveprotector.com./

 

They run larger than normal sizing; you might need to order one size down for a good fit.

 

 

[10ovr]

Maybe its your grip,,Holding on to tight,,I ride with open hands,Fingers over the levers,,

[Skywagon]

Grip Puppies....

[bmw_rider]

Try an anti-inflamitory as a preventative prior to riding, may not solve it entirely, but may reduce the 'annoyance' to tolerable.

[lvnvbiker]

Aleve my friend. I have a pretty bad case of carpal tunnel in both hands and use a perscription version of it with good results.

[Danny caddyshack Noonan]

3 choices. Switch hands...live with it...or surgery.

Having second hand done tomorrow for CTS. Cannot stand numb hands when riding. Excellent results with the first.

Also had an inflamed tendon once that would let me know it was there at every little bump.

 

good luck

[Selden]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, I have aspirin sensitive asthma, and all NSAIDs are risky. Throttlemeister helps minimize throttle effort, but isn't terribly useful in the twisties. If I'm lucky, it will go away with time and sensible behavior.

[ERdok]

Sounds like Dupuytren's by your description though hard to say without looking at it.

 

Check out this link: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dupuytrens-contracture/ds00732

[SageRider]

Sounds like Dupuytren's by your description though hard to say without looking at it.

 

Check out this link: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dupuytrens-contracture/ds00732

Also an additional link:

http://www.dupuytren-online.info/

 

My wife is currently undergoing radiation therapy for this malady. She already had one session which seemed to work quite well.

Her sister also has Dupuytren's (hereditary!) and chose surgery on one hand. She is very dissapointed in her results.

[ragtoplvr]

You might consult with a good occupational therapist.

 

They might be able to devise a program of stretching and strengthening exercise to promote growth of the good tendon and relieve the inflammation. You should also show them the bike, and take their suggestion on how to improve the ergonomics. Good grips, and if throttle hand, a cramp buster or throttle lock. Plus this is much cheaper than surgery.

 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammation like Aleive are quite useful to prevent further injury and reduce pain.

 

Good luck.

 

 

[bmw_rider]

I specifically didn't recommend aspirin, while it has its good uses, not as an anti-inflammitory, which is what I did suggest. There are many - two have mentioned Aleve- TALK WITH YOUR PHARMICIST. They are very educated and can make more specific recommendations, both over the counter, and script (requires a DR visit, and concurance).

[SageRider]

I would sugggest getting a hand specialist to check it out and give you a definitive diagnosis.

If it is Dupuytren's, then stretching / strengthening is not going to help.....

[Selden]

Naproxen and ibuprofen are as risky as aspirin. When I broke my finger, ER physician wrote a prescription for heavy duty ibuprofen -- although I told him I had ASA. When my wife took the scrip to the pharmacy, the pharmacist said, "Is the doctor trying to kill your husband?" Hats off to a CVS pharmacist who was paying attention.

 

Dupuytrens symptoms don't match, as I have full extension of the ring finger, with a fair amount of reverse flexion possible. The little finger is slightly contracted, but that's from the way it was set after the break.

 

If this doesn't improve in 6 months, I'll probably ask for a referral to a hand specialist. Right now, it's just an annoyance, as long as I don't overtax the right hand. Removing 30-year old indoor/outdoor carpet adhesive with scraper with a 5-foot steel handle was not a good idea last week. I'm planning to rebuild a deck in the fall, also possibly not the best idea, but I'm left handed, so the right hand won't be holding a hammer...