finger sore...

[TradBrewSC]

So this is a somewhat new one for me and want to hear what others think..

I have a bad sore, maybe coming to a blood blister on my middle finger, that I have of course made worse by wanting continue to shoot more, and this morning I could hardly shoot with my typical tab.

I honestly don't think it has anything to do with my form or finger grip at all. This all started about 4 days ago when I was trying out a clicker for the first time on one of my heavyweight short recurves and drawing and letting down constantly in order to try and get this thing set up. I kept shooting and drawing even though my fingers were sore and most likely using terrible form/grip doing so some of the time.

I remember having something like this maybe 10 years ago, and most likely just didn't shoot for a week or so. To me this isn't an option right now... I have a Pronghorn hunt coming up in September and really need to be shooting. I lso received a longbow from a friend yesterday, that I am honestly seeing as a new go to that is lighter in weight and certainly less pinch, but my hard headedness has left me unable to shoot without using a glove and fingertips (not my style at all)...

So for those that have had similar situations, what did you do to either work around it or heal things more quickly?!? This has been driving me crazy on a day when I didn't have a honey do list and can't spend time dialing in this longbow..

Here are some pictures of my finger.




It may not look terrible, but the discomfort has certainly kept me from executing a proper shot. I iced it a bit last night and this morning but as soon as I put a tab on its game over. Do I just need to stop being a hard headed male and let it heal?

[blacktailbob]

What would a doctor say? If shooting make it worse and hurt...______________

[GCook]

How deep is your hook?

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[TradBrewSC]

I have a pretty deep hook.. Midway though the second joint on the middle finger.. I have pretty much been going by what Tom Clumm recommends for a few years now and it has worked out well for me. His couching has made "untuned arrows" shoot great due to changing from what I thought was good form to actual good form.

I have been through the ringer over the years though.. From using my fingertips and plucking to string, to to a very deep hook that worked, but could be temperamental, to in-between now.

[TradBrewSC]

I tend to relax my ring finger more that needed, which I am certain is what caused this while I was drawing over and over with a heavy weight short bow..

[Charlie Lamb]

Since this is a photo on the internet thing and not an in person inspection I'm thinking it's a very prominent callous. If indeed that it the case then I would recommend removing it with a very sharp knife, razor blade or callous file.

You certainly don't want to cut until you draw blood. I'd use the blade for initial removal and finish up with the callous file. Apply a triple antibiotic or even vaseline to it and wrap with a bandaid.

I've trimmed callous from my shooting fingers many times over the years and this is my uneducated opinion.

Moving the string into the crease of your finger just in front of this callous may help in the long run.

[Possum Head]

Stick it in a bowl of ice water as you lay down each night for about 30 minutes for 3 nights and give up shooting till Wednesday. I read what you said about the Pronghorn hunt but you’ll need that finger and you won’t suffer from lack of shooting. Perhaps Wednesday the long bow will be friendlier. It looks plenty sore enough.

[Sam McMichael]

Check with the doctor to be on the safe side. Meanwhile, stop shooting until this problem is resolved, or that hunting trip may be ruined. Your form and accuracy may be severely affected due to the soreness. Your accuracy may actually be improved by taking some time off.

[Ronnie Newell]

You're drawing with the wrong hand!!

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[TradBrewSC]

Thanks everyone!

I certainly hate to do it, but am going to put the bow down until this improves for sure.

I'm going to do more harm than good continuing to shoot regardless if it is in my forms or actually physically. I hate to do that, especially when there is a new "toy" to play with and progress to make with my shooting!

[McDave]

I think, as Charlie Lamb said, you'll be much happier, and maybe even more accurate, putting the string into the joint rather than in between the first and second joints.  Right now, your finger looks like a glove that has got a crease from the string in it, and has bunched up in front of the crease.

[Orion]

Can't tell if it's a blister or a calluse. If it's the latter, I think Charley's advice is sound.  If it's the former, might drain it and put a band aid on it. 

Given your description of your recent shooting, high poundage, a short bow and a deep grip are all exacerbating the effects of finger pinch.  I agree that it would be better to hold the string in the first crease of your finger tips, which is still a pretty deep grip. I'd stop shooting/drawing that short, heavy bow as well. Need to give it a rest.  Holding the string in the first joint might reposition the string enough to miss the blister/calluse. 

Good luck. 

[TIM B]

Caitlin- I have used a dremel tool w a round sanding wheel to thin callus’s before.  Go slow...just a little at a time. 
Tim B

[TradBrewSC]

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone!

Although I do have Callus' this is actually blood blister that I am about to pop and bandage. It has gotten much better today though so am encouraged that I will be back on the range in no time!

[styksnstryngs]

Since the hunt is in spetember, I would say cut the blister and give it a few days rest. If it was a hunt very soon, I would do what I often end up doing for similar blisters and superglue over it while it heals so I can keep playing/shooting/lifting or whatever it is I am doing.