Shooting Related Injury

[Puncha]

Many weeks ago, I practiced with my S&W Model 67 revolver and shot 150 rounds of ammo double action. Immediately after the shoot, I noticed that at the first "segment" of my trigger finger was swollen and numb with impaired feeling at the tip of my finger.

I took a 2 week break from shooting and most of the swelling subsided but I still felt some numbness and impaired feeling in the trigger finger tip.

When I went shooting again, the swelling and numbness returned but once again, even with 1 weeks worth of rest after my second range trip, my finger never fully recovered.

It's come to the stage where I am almost resigned to permanent numbness in my trigger finger tip.

Have any of you guys ever encountered this injury while trying to maintain weekly range sessions? Any advice on how I may regain full feeling in my trigger finger?

 

[Preacherman]

You need to see your doctor, who may refer you to a neurologist or sports medicine specialists. It sounds like something similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, except that your pain/numbness is in the digit rather than the wrist. Anyway, it's almost certainly linked to an inflamed tendon and/or a stressed nerve in the wrist or lower hand. Don't waste time trying to treat this yourself, or ignore it - you're only storing up trouble for the future. Get it checked out by someone who knows what he/she's doing, and follow their instructions w.r.t. therapy, etc., so that you can solve the problem permanently now.

 

[Geno]

What Preacherman Said +1

That is precisely what happens to me. I experience this in both hands, from too much typing, shooting, etc. It should NOT take two weeks to clear--two hours yes, two weeks no. Go to the doctor.

Doc2005

 

[Heywood Case]

What Preacherman and Doc2005 said, +1

First time post from a long time reader. I used to do a lot of rock climbing and have had a few tendon injuries as the price of admission. Unfortunately these kinds of injuries take a lot more than 2 weeks to heal, and if you don't take a good long break you will keep re-injuring it and the cycle will never end. The best thing is to see a hand specialist, but if that is not an option I would take a break of at least 6 weeks. If you resume activity too quickly you end up back at square one, and this can be extremely frustrating with activities that mean a lot to you. Six weeks may not be enough time. It is very easy to end up with a permanent injury if you are impatient. See a specialist if at all possible.

As this is my first time posting, I just want to say "thank you" for all the great information I've gotten from this forum. The High Road is a good road!

John

 

[Preacherman]

Welcome aboard, John! Good first post. Don't be a stranger!

 

[Heywood Case]

Thanks for the welcome, Preacherman!

Puncha, I also meant to ask if you could let us know things turn out with your finger. Sooner or later someone else will come looking for information about the same problem. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

John

 

[Jim March]

See a doctor ASAP. This is NOT normal.

 

[CAnnoneer]

Sorry dude. You've got to see a neurologist.

 

[crofrog]

Well after you see a doctor and he tell's to take it easy. It would be an awesome oprotunity to practice weak hand only maybe.

Chris