I’m still managing the long-term consequences of an injury
If I'm not careful, my damaged finger can lead to other issues
Spring is a busy time of year for me. Not only is school racing toward the finish line, but spring chores are ramping up on the small horse farm where I live. The grass is growing, flower beds need to be tended, and a variety of other maintenance must be done. I actually enjoy these tasks as long as the weather isn’t too hot. Being outside and working with animals is my happy place.
Several years ago while working outside, I badly injured my right ring finger in a freak accident. While jogging my horse in hand so the veterinarian could watch her move, she shook her head at a bug and the end of the lead rope somehow flipped up and wrapped around my finger, wrenching it out of place. What I at first thought was a jam or dislocation turned out to be a dislocated spiral fracture, which was repaired with six screws and a plate during surgery a few days later.
While my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) didn’t interfere with repairing the bones, it became a problem when we realized that I’d also badly injured my extensor tendon — the structure that allows you to straighten your finger — and likely several other structures as well. While the finger healed remarkably well, considering how bad the break was, it’s definitely not what it used to be.
My surgeon told me ahead of time that, given how many pieces the bone had broken into and how small my hands are, it was unlikely he could make the finger perfect. I told him to focus on maintaining my grip strength, which I need more than anything. True to his word, my finger isn’t quite straight, but my grip strength is pretty good.
My finger, however, tends to get tired — likely, at least in part, because of my damaged extensor tendon. But considering how bad it could’ve been, I can’t complain.
Since my surgery, if I look at the palm of my hand and bend my repaired finger down, the tip lands either near the middle of my hand or under my middle or index finger. As a result, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in my hand, wrist, and lower arm are affected because they’re being pulled on unevenly.
It seems strange that an injury to such a small part of the body can have such far-reaching consequences. I suppose it’s similar to my recent column about how seasonal allergies can lead to a pain flare; both situations reveal how everything is connected. The weeding, planting, and other chores I’m currently doing are hard on my hand. Activities that require small movements and lots of finger motion and dexterity make my muscles tight.
I do my best to stretch my hand and do some of the exercises that my occupational therapist taught me after surgery. I’ve also found that if I’m having a particularly sore day, putting my splint on for even half an hour can make a big difference in my pain level, as it forces my finger to take a break.
I try to keep my finger in good shape, as my EDS needs only a suggestion from my body to set off a pain flare. If my finger aggravates my hand and forearm, pain will also radiate down from my EDS-damaged shoulder and make my whole right arm a mess.
Over the years, I’ve learned that nothing happens in a vacuum, especially with EDS. Small issues can quickly snowball, so I do my best to address them before they get worse. It’s not always effective, but it’s certainly worth a try.
Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.
About the Author
Lucia Cordell Getsi
I find it strange that nobody has posted a link to the conference called Mind 2025 held in Charleston May 29, 30, and 31. May 29 is an entire day of about 40 experts on EDS! This is a truly amazing conference other days cover Parkinson’s stroke, head injuries, brain injuries, extraordinarily rare diseases, even more rare than EDS. This conference is sponsored by MUSC, medical university of South Carolina. The event hotel is the Francis Marion in Charleston. There are other much cheaper hotels where one can stay. But all of the events are held in the ballroom of the Frances Marion hotel. I am going. MUIC Ware I have been a patient before on my digestive issues, which are of course related to Ehlers’s Danlos syndrome and on my spinal issues also related to EDS, and I have had genetic testing done with MUSC. They are running probably the most complete genetic study of patients that has been performed until now.. If you Google search. Mind Conference 2025 MUSC Charleston you will get to it. Registration is very cheap and you do not even have to pay and register for the EDS day. You can also enjoy some great music at the various events of Spoleto, which is going on simultaneously and before and after this conference. MUSC has hired two of these experts recently who are on the faculty there.
Kathleen
I could have written your article, right up until the point of surgery! Our fiesty mare did the same and I had a nasty spiral fracture on my right ring finger, too. It's been a year now and I'm mostly healed up, but all of my joints in that finger and hand are extra stiff and painful. There isn't much to do at this point, unfortunately, but to keep working out the stiffness and exercises for strength. I'm still annoyed, lol!
Cynthia Willner
I'd find a hand specialist that may have experience in this. I'm not saying you're Dr isn't good but I've found over the years, every Dr is not exposed or experienced in somethings. If the medical issue doesn't come forward then the Dr doesn't to experience it. How many Dr's haven't seen EDS in real life? I'm sorry you're struggling with it. But with Hypermobility, constant dislocations,injuries and surgeries I get it. I enjoy your stories, it lets all of us people with this strange body know we're not alone.