I’m still managing the long-term consequences of an injury

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.

Recommended Reading

October 12, 2021 Columns by Karen Del Vecchio

I Won’t Let the Fear of Injury Keep Me Off My Horse

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.