Little finger does't straighten

Posted , 9 users are following.

For the last 5 years I have had a problem with my little finger on my non-dominant hand which when the other fingers are straight it is bent not fully but say halfway. On top of it being bent I also get a very sore feeling in the finger and also in the joint. Occasionally the left side of my hand feels sore. But most of the time my hand feels tired.

So, 4 years ago I went to see the doctors who put me through to see the local specialist who gave me steroid injections in my hand and finger, I also had an ultrasound on my finger but this didn't show anything. That didn't work and then it was just he told me to force my finger bent and then to force it to straighten. 

So, I left it for 3 years, and then went back to the doctors but this time I went to see one of the regional specialists. This time I had an x-ray and another scan. I also underwent nerve damage tests and blood tests. Still nothing.

So, I was wondering if anyone can let me know if they have suffered the same sort of thing as mine and also where I could turn if 2 specialists can't see what it is.

Thanks in advance

2 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    It could be ulnar claw hand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_claw) , which can happen due to a problem with the ulnar nerve. Or something to do with a tight flexor tendon which keeps your finger from being able to fully straighten (but I imagine the ultrasound would've ruled that out?). But I have a similar thing at the moment with the very sore feeling and tenderness in that area and i'm being checked out for ulnar nerve problems with a nerve conduction study and EMG. My Dr. did this test on me where he got me to straighten my arm out to the side and he gently pushed my arm back behind me and bent my wrist back to stretch the ulnar nerve, if you have a problem with the ulnar nerve it might send a bad pain into your arm/hand/fingers when you do this. Also not sure what scans you've already had done, but maybe you should get an MRI which is a really good scan to look at the ulnar nerve (or any other nerves/muscles/soft tissues) in your hand to rule out problems with it. Hope you get some answers! I definitely am not a Dr. but i've done a little research for myself in this area and that's the extent of what I know smile
  • Posted

    William, I have experienced trigger thumb so empathise with what you are going through.  However, although various ideas for treatment were suggested at the time, such as splinting and a cortison injection, my pharmacist laughed it off, saying that he and his brother had experienced trigger fingers and they correct themselves in time.  Mine took some 4 months.

    Your problem has obviously been going on a lot longer.  I assume you have had a blood test for rheumatoid arthritis?  Having said that, they do not always give a reliable result.

    A friend of mine is at present suffering from trigger thumb andhis GP is referring him to a hand specialist.

    Try adding lots of oily fish to your diet - sardines, mackerel, salmon, trout - at least 3 times a week.  If you don't like oily fish then perhaps you could try a supplement of Omega 3 tablets.  Oily fish has worked well for me when any inflammation arrives.

  • Posted

    I have Dupuytren's contracture.

    I recently started taking turmeric cturcumin complex (500 mg-Member's Mark/Sam's Club).

    I have noticed improvement to my curled up little finger on my left hand.

    Unfortunately, my heart doctor said that she does not recommend that I continue with the turmeric curcumin complex supplement.  I'm looking into that further.

  • Posted

    I have the exact problem as you describe.  This started with me yesterday evening on my dominant hand.  I suspect it is a pinched nerve having something to do with a back trauma I suffered about 7 weeks ago.  I am 79 years old and have been very bent over for the last 17 years when I lost the use of some back muscles.  Then 7 weeks ago I was doing some yard work and caused a stress fracture to my thorasic spine and a herniated disc in my lumbar spine.  Those injuries have been healing but now this finger problem which I believe is related.  Don't know what to do but the symptoms are exactly as you described. Must be a nerve involvement.

  • Posted

    Have you heard of triger finger   can you can you use your other hand to extend your finger.

    you may just need a shot from the hand doctor in the joint area of a steroid 

  • Posted

    i had trigger (middle finger) years ago, possible cause typing.  I had op to release the tendon, no problem since,
  • Posted

    Sound like Dupuytrenscontracture. I had three finger bent . Eventually the dontracted to mynfist. See other discussion on this disease. 

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