OMG I'm posting about Arthritis

Nerf Herder

Nerf Herder

Wheel size expert
Lets talk Arthritis or old persons crooked digits and joints.

I've recently noticed after a trip to Thredbo that my middle knuckle of my middle finger on the left hand is swelling, deformed (less then straight) and generally a pain. (my hands got a flogging on both trips, but slight pain is persisting in this knuckle after a few weeks).

I don't think its Metacarpal Tunnel syndrome (MTS) ... although that could be something worth looking at when I eventually see my GP. The joint deformity is whats sealing it as the Big A for me (Dr House MD)

Anyway, I'm gonna presume its the Big A for the minute and see if some of you older riders have any recommendations, special tricks (setup, stretches, *shrugs), ointments, pills, diet secrets, massages or whatever (Copper bracelets, magnet underlays :confused: Power Balance Bands :p).

I haven't started any research yet ... so before all you people that are thinking (just go to your doctor ... why ask people on a forum ...) jump in, I am always surprised as to how many people on here experience very similar things to what I am perplexed or curious about ... anywho ... please don't lecture me, only post if you have useful info or useful trivia and I guess quality smart arsed comments.

For me
I'm now massaging the joint post ride ... and on an ad hoc basis
- I'm replacing my grips with thicker grips (ESI chunkies) ... and have reverted back to gloves ... I occasionally don't wear any ... but have found the tighter fitting gloves both add pressure and increase the thickness of the grips. (I was wearing gloves at Thredders though :confused:)

I would like to know more about diet, (I drink alot of acidic things, coke, OJ ... love spag bog, along with tomato and cream based sauces) ... from brief discussions with Mom ... tomatoes are bad.

Anywho, thanks in advance.
 
You know what you've started here nerf?
Don't eat carbs, DO EAT CARBS, It's the flouride in the water, are you allergic to hommus? Carrots will fix it! NO, don't eat carrots unless they are blanched!

Sorry, off track.

I can tell you that from my personal experience with what seems to be the exact same symptoms (arthritis in my family line on my Mums side) that tomatoes make no difference to me, but they do my Mum. So I don't know how that works.
She didn't really hit the genetic jackpot so to speak.

But, what I do know is that I use my guitar stretching techniques before and after a ride and it does make a dramatic difference to my knuckle and wrist joint pains.

I stretch my fingers apart as much as possible and lean against a wall with my fingertips taking all the pressure. I slowly apply more pressure, and leave it there for a few seconds (10 maybe 20).
I repeat this with a few fist clenches in between a few times and that's it.

That was the warm up I learned from my old music teacher for playing guitar on cold days (come from Tassie) and it helps me. I used to click my knuckles heaps too as a kid and I am absolutely sure this has contributed to my lack of digital dexterity and my favourite clicking fingers (the ones that really made a great 'Pop') are the ones that are the worst.

Everyone is different though I guess, and this may do nothing for the nerf knuckles.
Good luck with it mate, I'll be watching this thread closely.

Stretch 'dem digits!

Oh yeah, btw - ESI silicone grips. They help too.

*edit* just remembered, my Mum uses elmore oil for her arthritis and makes the difference between feeding herself, or someone else doing it for her.
Placebo maybe, but it works for her pain and swelling. But only lasts a few hours.
 
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Hey, I was at the chemist today getting some magnoplasm and saw a brochure about fluid retention.
It had all the symptoms listed. Maybe worth a look?

The rapid fluid shedding stuff was made of celery seed, Vitamin B6 and some other stuff. I think potassium to help replace nutrients/salts that are shed by the diuretic?

A bit of research on celery says:

"This product may be used to assist in helping to reduce joint inflammation. Celery is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine as a diuretic.
Celery is traditionally used in European medicine to manage the symptoms of arthritis by reducing pain, swelling and improving joint mobility. This herbal diuretic may also help relieve mild fluid retention".

And:

"Today, celery seed is used primarily as a diuretic (increasing urine output to help the body get rid of excess water). Celery seed is also suggested for treating arthritis and gout, and to help reduce muscle spasms, calm the nerves, and reduce inflammation. However, there are no scientific studies in humans that show whether celery seed is effective for these conditions or any others".
 
osteo-arthritis is the body's reaction to stress on the bones.

rheumatoid arthritis of course is an auto-immune issue. there's also psoriatic arthritis which deforms the joint in much the same effective way as rheumatiod.


my advice would also be to stretch. the extensor muscles of the forearm and hand originate near the elbow, and in my line of work i "jam" them up frequently, to the point of not being able to extend my fingers fully if i'm not keeping up with my stretches.

hopefully what is happening to you is muscular contraction, all the same i would be massaging near your elbow and stretching on a daily basis, and if those don't provide relief within a matter of a week or two, see your GP. if you press into the forearm while wiggling your fingers you can feel which muscle moves which finger. i'm a big fan of supplementing with magnesium and/or glucosamine/chondritin but not everyone would agree.

i also ride with thicker grips on my bmx than most people although i have relatively small hands, i'm comfortable that way. don't like the thinner ones on my mtb, looking to change them soon. coincidentally, the only time i've ever had biceps tendonitis was when i had heaps of tomatoes in the garden and was eating a crapload of them on a daily basis while working in a full-on heavy lifting job. the onset of the tendonitis was concurrent with the tomato season. can't see that applying to your situation tho.
 
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Thanks Harmonix... I'll have a look at the Celery ... I don't think its fluid retention, only in that I would think there would be a number of areas affected ... eg maybe my feet ... That said I'll add that to my list

Shrieking Violet said:
hopefully what is happening to you is muscular contraction, all the same i would be massaging near your elbow and stretching on a daily basis, and if those don't provide relief within a matter of a week or two, see your GP. if you press into the forearm while wiggling your fingers you can feel which muscle moves which finger. i'm a big fan of supplementing with magnesium and/or glucosamine/chondritin but not everyone would agree.
Click to expand...
Can you give me a bit more info about the supplements ... what do these do specifically ... or maybe what are they targeting (sorry I've stuffed my question mark key :eek:)
 
magnesium is usually recommended for tight muscles, it's used as a muscle relaxant and nervous system toner. glucosamine/chondritin is used to support tendon integrity.
 
Glucosamine/Chondroitin works (at least for wifey and me! Both suffer from arthritis in different forms). I notice the difference if I miss taking it on a regular basis. More joint pain, especailly knees. Also Movalis/Mobic (anti inflam) from Doc, helps with joint swelling/soreness. Also beer! Take several after riding and you will feel much better!
 
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After talking to you today I think you had/have a case of Tendonitis.

Particularly in the vicinity of your Flexor Tendons in your fingers. This article mainly deals with trauma injuries to these tendons, however I believe you've inflamed them from over-use. It's kind of like Tennis Elbow but in your fingers. It inflames the sheaths that your tendons travel in, causing the swelling you've experienced, and pain upon movement. Use the R.I.C.E principle after riding, 20 mins iced 20 mins off for an hour and take some anti-inflammatories like Neurofen if it gets too painful for you princess*.

Read, http://www.itendonitis.com/flexor-tendon-injuries.html
Also, http://www.itendonitis.com/finger-tendonitis.html
Also, http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sportsmedicine/a/tendonitis.htm





*All medical advice given is speculation only and is not conclusive to a diagnosis by an actual medically trained person like a Shaman or witch Doctor.
 
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Yes

Oh nerfy you poor thing. I am distressed to here of your greif. I totally undestand your greif and stress. I have found that a nice bottle of shiraz each nite cures all your symptoms.... Good luck.....
 
Sooo much Love ... :p

Gonna try the glucosamine thingy ... and the Celery extract thingy ... only coz its come up a few times in discussions with off forum friends too

I don't think its tendinitis ... only coz the pain isn't under the finger (forward or rearward of the knuckle ... or the forearm... The knuckle is also, relatively speaking, huge compared to the finger on the other hand (right) ... there is also like a calcium deposit like build up ... got one on my nose bridge when I got hit in the nogg'n by a chairlift whilst perving ... long story.

anywho, thanks for the info, links, suggestions and sympathy :p :D :cool: ... following the beer supplements as I type.
 
Nerf Herder said:
Sooo much Love ... :p

Gonna try the glucosamine thingy ... and the Celery extract thingy ... only coz its come up a few times in discussions with off forum friends too

I don't think its tendinitis ... only coz the pain isn't under the finger (forward or rearward of the knuckle ... or the forearm... The knuckle is also, relatively speaking, huge compared to the finger on the other hand (right) ... there is also like a calcium deposit like build up ... got one on my nose bridge when I got hit in the nogg'n by a chairlift whilst perving ... long story.

anywho, thanks for the info, links, suggestions and sympathy :p :D :cool: ... following the beer supplements as I type.
Click to expand...

Well, I am on day #1 of on the celery tablets to see if it helps my knuckles.
I'll keep you posted on their effects if any.
 
Try and find one of the latest versions of Nerd (New) Scientist. They had an article about the gut being a source of inflammatory diseases - actually they were talking about poo transplants!

So while poo transplants may be a little out there, it turns out that some forms of arthritus have their source in the gut. If you take good gut flora from one person (or rat in this case) and douse someone (another rat) with inflammatory symptoms there is a good improvement.

It may be time to start using metapoocil (metamucil), eating beans and don't bother with the celery tablets. Eat the real thing - loads more fibre.
 
Cypher said:
Try and find one of the latest versions of Nerd (New) Scientist. They had an article about the gut being a source of inflammatory diseases -
Click to expand...

see, grandma was right. look after your bowels and you'll always have your health :)

i agree, let your food be your medicine, eat the celery and maybe some good yogurt for the probiotic effect?
 
Ive had a left kankle for the past few years. Got to a stage late last year that i was hobbling around after each ride and had to go back to flat pedals on all bikes, thought unclipping was stressing it. I had tried fish oils/glucosamines/omega 3s/ heaps of stretching and rotating of joints all to no avail.
Was at a 'farmers market' in the new year and came across a stall selling organic honey and cinnamon with some documentation claiming it was useful for 'arthritic/rheumatic' problems. He recommended 1or 2 tea spoons per day. Thought,wtf, ill give it a go.
Put it on toast, in tea, on girlfriend, best tasting 'medicine' ive tried. And its working:confused: Swelling has gone down considerably, no pain/soreness, back on clips and girlfriend is glowing.
 
What you might want to do is go to the dentist (if you don't go every 6 months anyway)

The mouth is a really nasty place and can be the source of many problems. For instance they have linked some miscarriages to mouth infections. If a manky mouth can be responsible for spontaneous abortions, what else can it do to you?

I was going to say that it can't hurt to go to the dentist anyway, but.... ;)
 
boy ... uhmmmm I never even imagined the aspects that would be covered.

Poo Transplants ...
Cinamon Honey'd girlfriends
golden gin raisins
Manky Mouth (BTW, my oral hygiene is is pretty good, and I don't visit a dentist every 6 months)

And actually eating celery ... which I hate, so must be good for me.

darsh ... I didn't check where your from ... but where was that farmers market ... I have one in Lilyfield near me so grasping that was it ...

Thanks for the bits and poo referrences :)
 
Handlebar ergo flaps

I can't believe I'm posting about tips on Arthritis. I've just bought a new bike, and it has these flat ergo flaps at the front of the handlebars, which take a hell of a lot of pressure and strain off my wrists. It really helps the arthritis.
Just a thought.
 
[

darsh ... I didn't check where your from ... but where was that farmers market ... I have one in Lilyfield near me so grasping that was it ...

]

im from tarragindi in brisbane, market was out at cleveland
no where near lilyfield:(
if you are interested i can pm you the beekeepers contact info
 
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