Sore finger joints

[Tav]

I have had very sore finger joints (the big ones closest to the knuckles) for the last 3 months.  In the morning my fingers are stuck in a slightly bent position and it is painful when I straighten those things out.  Throughout the day they loosen up but stay sore.  I have messed with my grip a bunch but can't lose the soreness.  I haven't shot for a week and still wake up sore.  Anybody else have that problem?

[wildwood]

Kinda sounds like carpel tunnel. Do your fingers ever go numb or tingle?

[Tav]

The tips do on the middle and ring finger occasionally when I touch a certain spot on the outside of that first joint.  I mostly fixed that with a thicker tab and lowering my draw elbow.  but these joints ache

[Tav]

I always thought carpal tunnel was from the wrist joint though.

[YORNOC]

I had my tendon sheaths rebuilt on my right fingers using a "spare" tendon in the wrist. I've also had carpal tunnel taken care of.
My fingers were like yours, I couldn't open them. Then they actually started creaking when straightening them. The tendon sheaths were failing, swelling and not allowing my fingers to open. Hurt like hell. With you, might just be some swelling of some kind, but if you can, see a hand specialist if its effecting your life.   My condition would have worsened to the point of having joint damage if I didn't get it fixed.
Dont suffer too long before getting checked out, just dont rely on a regular doctor. They dont know, see a hand specialist.

[lpcjon2]

Your glove or tab may be to thin.Or you may have tender hands.get a few calluses built up on them and they will stop hurting.

[Spectre]

Originally posted by Tav:
I always thought carpal tunnel was from the wrist joint though.

Well, kind of. It is from repeated flexing of the forearm muscles by repetitive finger and hand movement. The nerves get all discombobulated and it HURTS! Arm fall asleep and ache like all get out.
 Finger joints could be sore from the bowstring---mine are as we speak.

I started shooting mostly left handed because of this.  I would advise starting reverse exercises by adding resistance with your finger tips to finger tips from opposite hand. Walking the spider is what I call it.  An old exercise used by Renaissance lute players to strengthen and warm up the hands.  I also take condroiten/gluco with MSM and hylouronic acid supplements.

[The Whittler]

You could have just plain old Arthritis.

[Hot Hap]

RA

[David Bartholomew]

Chace,

If you wish, give me a shout tomorrow evening (EST applies).  Maybe I can give you some suggestions.

Regards!
David Bartholomew
 www.thinkmassage.com

[JL]

I feel your pain litterily. When I get up, I can't make a fist until I get some hot water on my hands and loosen them up a bit but they ache thru the day. I'm 47 and work with my hands for a living. Found out a while back I have Lyme disease. Not sure how it plays into my hand/random joint pain but I'm sure it does somehow. Hope you get it figured out and get it treated.

[wasapt]

get an orthopedist hand surgeon to look at your hand.Is it one hand or both?

[freeman]

When I first started shooting a traditional bow I developed severe joint pain in my string fingers. To the point where I thought I would have to give it up. I switched from a glove to a tab and the pain went away. Or my fingers just finally got used to it. I haven't had any problems since. This was 11 years ago.

[Tav]

Thanks for all the help folks.  The pain is only in the joints of my 3 shooting fingers so it's obviously from shooting.  A while back I built myself a thick tab which helped the numbness I used to get in my fingertips which was a separate problem.  I guess I will see a doctor and let the cards fall where they may.    thanks again.  TradGang is the greatest.

[straitera]

My guess arthritis. Get a tennis ball & squeeze all day everytime you think of it. Arthritis can be managed. Carpal tunnel is back of the hand near the wrist.