Hi!

I have a hand problem and I am very concerned as I have to play on Monday for the student concert:

After a long practise on Tuesday (2.5 hours in a run), I had my LH index finger too much crushed where the flute sits and I stopped. Everything looked normal, however.

But the next morning I had pain on the index finger, that extended into the hand palm and I practically could not bend it to form the typical clamp thumb-index. The situation improved during the day and at evening I tried to practise half an hour, without too much problem. But the finger feels stiff and slow to move

This morning again I had much difficulties to clamp (I could not, in fact). If I forced it gently with my other hand, the middle articulation remained blocked in the bent position and after a couple of seconds it unblocked with a soft "snap".

I will try to consult a traumatologist doctor this evening at the hospital urgencies, but I do not hold much hope about a quick solution.

I know it sounds to be rather serious, but anyway I would like to know if anybody here has suffered a similar problem, what happened and how this was cured.

Thanks.

Hey Jose-Luis. To start off I just want to say I'm sorry to hear about that. From experience, I know how you must feel.

O.k, I know some bad things have been said about the Bo-Pep Finger saddle. But, I would highly suggest it. I bought one after my hand injury and for the moment I wouldn't be able to play without. Since I hurt my hand with a wrong hand position it caused more weight on my (left) index finger, which bruised the bone. So this takes a lot of the weight off. (Thankfully!) This is what the Bo-Pep box says...

ELIMINATES cramping of the left-index finger. (is this your problem?)
ELIMINATES extreme twisting of the left wrist.(my problem)
LESSENS the need for left hand pressure.
INSURES correct hand position.

And I have to say I have found all of those to be true. What I have done to eliminate any scratch marks left from the Saddle, is to put a little bit of moleskin on the sides. Seems to work fine. I hope this helps.

Thanks.

I had considered and asked about the saddle in a previous thread, but finally I preferred using a small cushion. I tried one, but the adhesive got totally messy after a few days and I had to clean the instruments and my LH with alcohol and I spent a bad time with it.

I was at the hospital today. I have a diagnosis, they call it "trigger finger" I translate it literally from the name they gave me in Spanish, it could be wrong in English as I understand it is a synonym for "index finger". In Spanish it means a finger blocked in a position as if it was triggering a pistol.

The cause is a thickening of the transversal fibres that cross over the finger tendons, near the upper side of the hand palm (closer to the knuckles but on the other side of the hand). This area is called "digit tunnel".

This thickening increases the friction of the tendon and may even block the finger in the typical "weapon triggering" position. Right now I am beginning taking Ibuprofen as anti-inflammatory drug and hope it relieves the problem.

I was offered to get an "infiltration" locally, but I refused because I have this concert on Monday and I really do not want to add new variables and risk more than the normal and usual risks.

The condition can be caused by excessive movement of the fingers (I would add that age has its role, too). They told me it is not related to the crushing of the finger side by the flute body, which is clearly generating a growing callus. I doubt this lack of relationship, however.

The saddle probably will ease the callus situation and I will try it, it remains to be seen whether it also helps with the digit tunnel issue. Anyway, it will be after the concert.

If the condition worsens (which seems to be the present tendency), it can be treated with hand surgery. Not a pleasing idea, indeed..

Some interesting thing is that the condition is very noticeable in the morning, after I get out of bed and slowly improves during the day. They told me that the reason is that after sleep, we have more fluids everywhere and the space in the digit tunnel is reduced.

I am less concerned now, as everything seems to fit in the diagnosis and at least now I know the enemy.

I was afraid of having the first signs of degenerative osteoarthritis, but it is not the case. So I should be happy, in a way

Thanks.
Only that I cannot rest until Tuesday. And then, only until Friday... I must play on Monday, unless the condition has aggravated too much and then on Friday at a friends' wedding. Longer performance on Monday and shorter on Friday. I am considering not to play the Fantasia presto on Monday, playing only the Mozart's March der Priester. I have convinced a colleague to play this duet and he made big efforts to learn it. How could I let him down now?

The fantasia is a solo, so not playing it would only be frustrating.

We´ll see. I refused to have corticosteroids injected locally. I do not like this and I think it is risky, just a couple of days before playing.

There are TWO DIFFERENT Bo-pep devices made for the left hand. One is called a 'finger saddle', and has a dip in the middle much like a saddle for a horse has a dip for a seat. These work well for folks to add stability to left-hand position. The other is the 'finger rest', which holds the left hand away from the flute.

I would go get a 'finger rest', and try it right away. Normally, I wouldn't recommend a change right before a concert, but for me there was no adjustment to playing, just an ease in how my left hand felt after practice. It's a bit like getting new hiking boots before a trek- if your current boots are too small and making your feet bleed, go ahead and get the new boots right before the trek because they're better than what you have now!

By the way, with your post about the left hand c key being bent, I think you have a serious hand pain/position issue that needs to be addressed before you cause permanent damage to your hands.

Have you tried going to see a massage therapist? Having your forearm and hand massaged will help such a condition. My hubby is a massage therpist and has treated this condition using triggerpoint therapy and general massage techniques.

I have just ordered one Be-bop finger rest and one finger saddle from Justflutes (London). I hope to receive it in a few days and choose the better for my case. I began playing today carefully, after a week rest on low dose Ibuprofen and just added today topic applications of Fastum Gel (Ketoprofen).

If nothing works, I still have the option of specialized massage, but it can be very expensive.

<Added>

As additional measures, we are planning slow and nice pieces for the coming period. Isis und Osiris by Mozart in duet, Pavane op50 by Faure (including violin parts) and possibly Telemann Trio Sonate in A, only the largo and affetuoso for the moment. We'll see.

Good news!

Looks like my left hand is healing at last. I can practise an hour or more without problems. But for the moment I only play slow pieces.

It could be that the combination of Ibuprofen + applications of Ketoprofen did the trick. But also I began swimming again, after a two months period and this could also have helped.

Yay! I know you're happy about that!