Chronic finger tendonitis in middle pad of ring finger

Has anyone else dealt with chronic finger tendonitis? I've had pain in the middle phalanx of my ring finger on the palm side for nearly a year. It gets flared up even doing daily activities, like typing and washing dishes for more than a few minutes. When I don't do anything with it, the pain stops.

The onset was acute, and at first I thought it was a pulley issue -- but with the pain concentrated at the middle phalanx, research tells me it's probably tendonitis where the FDS tendon inserts to the bone.

I've see a couple hand specialists, but they weren't particularly helpful. I most recently had an ultrasound, but it did not show anything of note.

I've been doing eccentric exercises, massage, stretching, etc for a while on the orders of a physical therapist and plan on continuing to do so. I think these are helping, but it's hard to see the forest through the trees.

Just looking for some solidarity, ideally from someone who has experienced and overcome this type of issue. 

Have you tried using therapy putty?
https://www.climbing.com/skills/putty-exercises-for-finger-recovery/

I'm just now getting to this point that these exercises are an option, I think. Great link. 

I've been dealing with pain in the same area.  Mine is more acute and likely an A4 pulley strain, but I've found the following to be helpful.  Alternating hot/cold water immersion.  Using one of these weird looking things daily.  https://www.amazon.com/Gaiam-Wellbeing-Dual-Finger-Massager/dp/B01N5SR728/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1534250019&sr=8-4&keywords=finger+massager

My hopes are these actions increase blood flow and break up fascia and scar tissue formation leading to a chronic situation like you're describing.  Perhaps similar actions can reverse your issues.  

PS:  Heal up so we can rendezvous at Indian Creek soon!

I am dealing with the same issue. I saw an orthopedic surgeon and he said the sheath that goes around the tendon is torn.
My symptoms:
-swelling below ring finger in palm.
-full mobility of finger but shooting pain when I crimp

He told me it is common and would take a while to heal (months). He gave me a cortisone shot and recommended limited use with ice to reduce swelling. He also said if I use it to tape my knuckles to reduce the movement in that finger.

Hope this helps. 

txclimber wrote: I've been dealing with pain in the same area.  Mine is more acute and likely an A4 pulley strain, but I've found the following to be helpful.  Alternating hot/cold water immersion.  Using one of these weird looking things daily.  https://www.amazon.com/Gaiam-Wellbeing-Dual-Finger-Massager/dp/B01N5SR728/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1534250019&sr=8-4&keywords=finger+massager

My hopes are these actions increase blood flow and break up fascia and scar tissue formation leading to a chronic situation like you're describing.  Perhaps similar actions can reverse your issues.  

PS:  Heal up so we can rendezvous at Indian Creek soon!

Been doing all of the above, including using one of those weird looking things daily. I am hoping that all of this, combined with forearm massage and eccentric lowers on the tendon will continue the slow, slow progress (though I won't complain if the progress speeds up).

hey did you Kratom to recover your pain? I have heard about this one a lot. Much more helpful for the pain sufferer. There have some better sources where you can get original Kratom thegoldenmonk.com/

Does anybody have a recomendation for an orthopedic doctor for chronic tendonitis in the fingers in the Denver and Boulder area?  I need  an appointment next week, and was wondering where to go...Thanks!

Andrew Mark wrote: Has anyone else dealt with chronic finger tendonitis? I've had pain in the middle phalanx of my ring finger on the palm side for nearly a year. It gets flared up even doing daily activities, like typing and washing dishes for more than a few minutes. When I don't do anything with it, the pain stops.

The onset was acute, and at first I thought it was a pulley issue -- but with the pain concentrated at the middle phalanx, research tells me it's probably tendonitis where the FDS tendon inserts to the bone.

I've see a couple hand specialists, but they weren't particularly helpful. I most recently had an ultrasound, but it did not show anything of note.

I've been doing eccentric exercises, massage, stretching, etc for a while on the orders of a physical therapist and plan on continuing to do so. I think these are helping, but it's hard to see the forest through the trees.

Just looking for some solidarity, ideally from someone who has experienced and overcome this type of issue. 

What you describe sounds pretty spot-on with what I've been dealing with for about a year. I dialed down on aggressive crimps that seem to irritate it (the angle of my wrist seems to affect the strain on the finger as well--undercling crimp with the hand cocked backward is the worst). I've been working extensors with rubber bands and stretching. Seems to be improving, but I haven't been climbing quite as hard this season, and I've only been getting out about half as often, and the finger still gets irritated sometimes. I haven't seen a doctor yet.

Hey guys, here is another really great link discussing finger injuries and rehab protocol: ​Healing Nagging Finger Injuries​​​

Vaughn wrote: Hey guys, here is another really great link discussing finger injuries and rehab protocol: Healing Nagging Finger Injuries

Thats a great site, lots of information.   Thanks!