Trigger Finger

I guess it's inevitable that some of my blog would be about age-related health issues. Here's the latest: for some time the joint in my left middle finger has been stiff--sometimes it would lock, and I'd have to unfold it gently with my right hand. I assumed it was arthritis, and hoped taking glucosamine/chondroatin each day would help, even though a recent study shows that treatment to be little better than the placebo.

Anyway, yesterday I yanked on my dog's leash (to keep him from attacking another dog) and my left finger locked. But I couldn't unlock it, and it hurt so much when I tried that I walked the rest of the way with my finger locked at a 90 degree bent angle. It was scary and painful. So when I got home I asked my son to look up "locked finger joint" (since I couldn't type) and found that what I have is called "trigger finger". Multiple causes, not necessarily arthritis. Happens more frequently in women, and often is the result of repetitive gripping motion. I think it's all the years of gardening (pruning, weeding) that did it for me.

An ice pack finally did the trick--my finger joint unlocked--and I bought a splint per Mayo clinic web site suggestion. But I plan to see an orthopedist to see if I need more extensive treatment--either steroids or surgery.

Seems like since I've stopped working I've had more health problems-dizziness, sinus/cold/allergy (not sure), and now Trigger Finger. I hope it's not because I have more time to notice health issues...