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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

428.0. "Dead pinky finger" by TACHYN::ROSKILL () Mon Aug 17 1987 10:41

    
    	I have gotten into biking again this summer as triathlon training
    ( like others in this file).
    
    	My problem is that after I do 30 miles or so cranking pretty
    hard I find that my pinky fingers will no longer extend fully, and
    are essentially useless.  I do wear gloves, but slit the pinky open
    to allow more movement thinking that this was the problem.  It wasn't.
    I have also tried frequently changeing grips, moving the fingers
    around alot etc.  but I still get the "pinky problem".  It wouldn't
    be so bad except it persists for days.  
    
    	Any suggestions????
    
    Jon 
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428.1Tendon troubleCHOVAX::GILSONMon Aug 17 1987 11:515
    My dad had this problem after holding a hammer or other tool for
    any extended period of time.  It was caused by a tendon swelling
    and pinching against the bone.  Medication controlled it for a while 
    but he eventually had hand surgery with good result.
     
428.2AMUN::CRITZYa know what I mean, VernMon Aug 17 1987 13:554
    	You might take a look at Note 129.* for a discussion
    	of this topic.
    
    	Scott (my right pinky finger is tingling right now)
428.3Only kiddingTSG::HATCHERTue Aug 18 1987 14:313
    Why not just cut the damn thing off!!!  :-)
    
    
428.4Neck or upperback vertebrae?MRMFG3::D_STUARTDANCNDANWed Aug 19 1987 11:338
	I had heard years ago that nerve problems with your pinky and ring
fingers were often caused by the nerve being pinched by your upper back
or neck vertebrae. This is caused as a result of the somewhat abnormal body
position required on a bike. Has anyone else heard this? It made sense to
me at the time. It went away for me after riding awhile and contioning my
neck and sholders to deal with the position. 

			Dan
428.5sleeping on your side can cause itPBSVAX::HALBERTTue Aug 25 1987 18:296
    I get a numb pinky finger from sleeping on that side in a certain
    position. It clearly has something to do with leaning on some part of
    the upper back on the side. I wish I knew exactly where. So .4 makes
    sense to me. But I have gotten numb pinkies while biking only due to
    inadequate padding.
    --Dan
428.6Fond of cycling. Even fonder of my fingers.ULTRA::SEIDEN_2 outs, 2 strikes, 2 run lead...Wed Aug 26 1987 10:145
    Spenco gloves have solved the problem for me.  The loss of sensory
    and motory function extended to the ring finger as well, and as
    .0 described it, it lasted for days.  However, the additional 
    padding in the Spenco glove has done the trick. 
     
428.7My two cents worthFTMUDG::ERBAUGHMon Aug 31 1987 18:3810
      
    
    Another thing to think about is the condition (I dont know the medical
    term for it) where the tunnel that the nerves go through the wrist
    starts to shrink causing numbness in the fingers. Bicycling may
    aggravate the condition. 
    
    Your doctor can X-ray your wrist for prognosis.
    
    Phil Erbaugh
428.8carpal tunnel syndromeCHOVAX::GILSONThu Sep 03 1987 15:331
    It is called "carpal tunnel syndrome".