Rehabbing my hand

**BrokenFist** · Posted On: 11/18/2010 3:13pm

I have a problem with my left hand and I was wondering if anybody had some ideas for rehabbing it or knew of any surgeries I should ask my doctor about. I just want to continue boxing ASAP.

The problem is with the metacarpophalangeal joint (where the fingers meet the palm) of my index finger. It lacks the flexibility to compress into a tight fist. To compare my right fist to my left, the face of my right fist is flat and solid whereas my the face of my left rises from my pinky to my index finger at about a 45 degree angle. As a visual reference, when looking at my left fist with an inward palm, my fingers resemble a staircase.

I obviously can't punch like this. The times which I have tried, I feel a sharp, hot pain in the joint and sometimes up the metacarpal and the thumb. I have been resting it for 2 months and it has recovered a little bit but I'm afraid without extra measures I'll never fully recover.

Anyway thanks for any input!

**Emevas** · Posted On: 11/18/2010 3:15pm

Though I can't speak to how to go about rehabbing the hand, I can at least provide you with some training you can do to maintain your strength while your hand is MIA

http://www.elitefts.com/documents/knife_game.htm

**MMAMickey** · Posted On: 11/18/2010 4:28pm

nice find Emevas.. I'll bear this in mind next time I hurt my hand, I'm pretty much always suffering minor injuries of some sort.

**BrokenFist** · Posted On: 11/19/2010 4:04pm

Thanks Emevas but I don't really have a problem gripping or using my hand for exercise. As a matter of fact, due to this injury I've never been physically stronger than I am now and I have started learning Judo.

It is only a problem when I strike with my left hand. The compression in my fist when the strike makes contact closes my fist past the point that I can close it without injury.

**MMAMickey** · Posted On: 11/19/2010 5:02pm

stop hitting things?..

**Kickapoo** · Posted On: 11/20/2010 12:19pm

Yeah, generally when something is causing pain, a good first step is to stop hurting it more.

If you can't even close it into a fist how are you punching things? Maybe I'm visualizing it wrong but the way I see it in my mind, with your fist in the shape it is, trying to punch something just seems like a terrible idea.

Go to a doctor. We can't see your fist to try to diagnose it. If you want us to tell you to 'fight through the pain', we're not that irresponsible. Get to a doctor and do what the hell he says to.

**ChenPengFi** · Posted On: 11/20/2010 12:29pm

Sounds like you need to wrap that hand better/different while training, but first...

The general protocol for rehab goes as follows:

* Decrease initial pain and inflammation.
* Improve flexibility.
* Improve the strength of the joint.
* Reestablish neural control and coordination.
* Return to full fitness.

Skipping or not being thorough on any one step will set you back or possibly make the condition worse/permanent.
At 2 mos. you have a "chronic" injury as opposed to an "acute" one;
if you continue on this path you will likely do long term damage imo.

**BrokenFist** · Posted On: 11/21/2010 5:25pm

Originally Posted by Kickapoo

Yeah, generally when something is causing pain, a good first step is to stop hurting it more.

Go to a doctor. We can't see your fist to try to diagnose it. If you want us to tell you to 'fight through the pain', we're not that irresponsible. Get to a doctor and do what the hell he says to.

Please re-read my first post.

I haven't hit anything since my last fight on September 20something.

I asked for ideas for rehab or other options I can ask my doctor about. I did not ask for a diagnosis or a motivational speech.

I have been to a doctor and he told me to rest it and do a few stretches to improve flexibility. I asked him if there was anything else I can do to speed up the process but he didn't have any other ideas. I came here hoping for something more "out of the box" before I ask for a referral to a specialist.

Originally Posted by ChenPengFi

The general protocol for rehab goes as follows:

* Decrease initial pain and inflammation.
* Improve flexibility.
* Improve the strength of the joint.
* Reestablish neural control and coordination.
* Return to full fitness.

Thank you. This is helpful. Initial pain and inflammation seem to have subsided. Is there anything beyond careful stretching that can help with step two?

**SaintHamish** · Posted On: 11/21/2010 5:38pm

Originally Posted by BrokenFist

I have a problem with my left hand and I was wondering if anybody had some ideas for rehabbing it or knew of any surgeries I should ask my doctor about. I just want to continue boxing ASAP.

your better off seeking medical advice initialy before worrying about rehab.

its all well and good to ask for advice, but in my experience these things are best getting properly checked out and diagnosed accordingly.

Originally Posted by BrokenFist

I came here hoping for something more "out of the box" before I ask for a referral to a specialist.

ask for your referral. if there is prolonged pain and discomfort in the joints it well probably need surgery.

**ChenPengFi** · Posted On: 11/21/2010 6:00pm

Yes, self-massage can be very helpful, as can jao.
Work the hand/wrist extensors in particular.
Work to separate the muscle bellies and where muscle turns to tendon.
Without seeing you (i'm a massage therapist) i'm making assumptions bear in mind,
but i'd be looking at your range of motion (ROM) for the wrist and fingers.

Can you close the fingers easier if you bend the wrist back and/or does the finger want to "pop out" as you flex the wrist?

In particular a shortened m. extensor indices can prevent the index finger from forming a fist, but all of the extensors are worth looking at.

There are also many exercises that can be helpful, but without hands on it's hard to recommend anything.
If you ball your fist and move it around you should be able to find where it's binding up and what's tight.