weird injury to left hand.

**mrblackmagic** · Posted On: 4/20/2007 8:07am

I got cracked really hard on my knuckles while stick sparring exactly a week ago today and for some reason I can't get my index and middle finger to bend more than 75% without conscious effort. Is this weird and should I take it to a professional?

**PirateJon** · Posted On: 4/20/2007 8:15am

My rule is that anything that doesn't at least start getting better in a week is call for a doctor visit.

But have you tried the I.C.E thing / anti-inflammitories? Cause it sounds like when I jammed my hand up. No pain, but inflexability in the fingers. It was fine after about two weeks though.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 4/20/2007 8:59am

Sounds like a finger jam. Massage the knuckles with Icy-hot, even if it hurts a little. If by a week it doesn't heal, you should see a doctor. Or go see a doc right now. I mean, you got cracked on your knuckles with a stick for Christ's sake!

**saturnjunkie** · Posted On: 4/20/2007 9:59am

Last time that happened to me with a stick it was a smashed knuckle/torn ligament combo. Of course, the pain was so overwhelming I went to a doctor immediately so it's probably not the same for you if you're not in considerable pain.

Generally with stickfighting my benchmark for 'is it doctor time' is if the item in question turns purple. Because usually if it's broke - it turns purple. If it's torn - it turns purple. If it's bone bruising - it turns purple.

You get the idea.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 4/20/2007 11:24am

One of the reasons he may want to check it is to avoid the development of calcium deposits or cysts in an injured ligament. It's a very weird ****; if you tear/bruise a bursa or ligament, you can develop a cyst in that area. Some of them are quite harmless, others can limit the range of movement in that area and need to be surgically removed.

**mrblackmagic** · Posted On: 4/20/2007 2:30pm

I think El Macho just won this thread.

**Equipoise** · Posted On: 4/20/2007 5:01pm

Originally Posted by Whorian Gracie

I dunno. Sticks or no sticks. You can move it so I don't see why there would be a need to go see the damn doctor. Tape it up and get back out there. Unless you are in need of that hand (you operate on brains or something) in which case, you shouldn't be stick fighting.

I suggest wearing Hockey gloves and duct tape your stick until your hand fully heals.

Thank you Dr. Any other pearls of wisdom that'd you'd like to furnish?

See a doc, get some x-rays. Just because it's movable doesn't mean that it's not broken. Bones serve as an anchor for muscles, however the muscles can still contract and release regardless of the bone itself. As it's already been stated above, you can develop conditions due to not having it diagnosed/set/healed correctly. Problems with nutrient delivery to the bone via blockage in the synovial fluid around the joints and bones can have severe future effects. Avoid this, go get it looked at. It's better that you find out you jammed it, then to have a something that'll screw you over permanently later on.

**meataxe** · Posted On: 4/21/2007 5:09pm

I did something like that with my little finger once in sparring... It never fully healed and I did not seek treatment. I can't fully straighten the finger, so it might be good to see a doctor to avoid embarrassing deformities.