Trigger Finger

[Todd_K_imp]

...and it's not even a firearms thread!

Curious to know who among us has had to deal with riding injuries that were not related to a crash. I'm talking about things like tendonitis, repetitive stress injuries, etc. - not monkey butt.

After a summer of 3000+ miles of mostly city riding (read: lots of clutch work) I have developed a soreness and clicking in my left index finger that was diagnosed as "trigger finger" - one of the many flavors of tendonitis that comes as a result of overuse or injury.

I'd like to know if others have dealt with this and what worked for you vs the medical recommendation of a cortisone shot that may or may not be a long-term fix.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Hey Todd. I have trigger finger in both middle fingers. It started maybe 5 or 7 years ago. I'm 60 now. I've broken and dislocated everything at one time or another during my police career. It has only slightly gotten worse thru the years..... By worse I mean it happens more frequently. It's annoying for sure, but it doesn't stop me from activities. It usually happens when I grip a screwdriver or wrench tightly, or I'm tightening things. It has happened only a small handful of times while gripping the bike grips. I just click it back and I'm fine. It's scary in the beginning because you don't know what the hell is happening, but now it's no big deal. I guess a cortisone shot wouldn't hurt, but I'd never have surgery. It's very manageable for me.

[gossman_imp]

hips only allow me to ride an hour or two max, results from taking a header in the early 90's. Live and learn

[redbirds_imp]

Trigger finger is easily corrected with simple surgery. I've had trigger finger surgery along with Carpal Tunnel surgery at the same time in both hands. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome was the pits as it made gripping the Throttle on extended rides near impossible. Also had Rotator Cuff surgery on both shoulders and a left knee replacement. Glad to get it done because it has allowed me to continue riding.

[Vossero_imp]

Yeah, I have...a first gear pull all the way to like, 40 or 50 and the rev limiter kicked in, causing me to lurch forward and out of panic i squeezed the clutch in but the lurch was so intense that i crushed my index finger and now it has a black spot on my nail that will take 6 months to grow off lol...i really hate that damn rev limiter...god.

[Ack-CB11_imp]

My injuries have only come from riding crashes. Way to many to list over the last 43 years of riding resulting in aches and pains all over. Cold mornings are the worst............

[The Spaceman_imp]

It's possible your trigger finger is an early sign of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). It can also be caused by rheumatoid arthritis. RA was giving me occasional trigger finger until I started getting Remicade infusions.

About 10 years ago I had to cut my riding to almost nothing because of CTS. I've been keyboarding since the 80's, and it got progressively worst. It finally got to the point where 10 minutes of riding would put me in agony. I had double "carpal release" surgery (not on the same day) and it's not been an issue since.

[808_rider_imp]

As other have said, your trigger finger issues may be an early sign of CTS. For me, I had a slight case of CTS which I think was due to me using a computer and riding the CB. I did the following things which seems to have cured my CTS:

Slept with a wrist guard;
Replaced my computer mouse pad with another that was designed to address CTS;
Replaced the grips on the CB with larger ones;
Adjusted the angle/position of clutch and rear break controls (per Ferret's on-line step-by-step instructions)

[Lord Popgun]

vossero,

That rev limiter/speed limiter can be addressed with an ECU reflash.

[Mr Jangles_imp]

I have trigger finger on my left index finger and a little on my middle and left ring finger. My sister had surgery for this a couple years ago.
It's especially painful in the morning.