France in Focus

For some years, I've had trigger finger in my left hand little finger. It was perfectly straight, but if I clenched it, it would tend to lock and I would have to use my other hand to "unlock" it. Basically, the tendon had enlarged and wouldn't pass smoothly throught the "gaine".
A specialist surgeon at the Clinique de la Main in Rennes operated on it 3 weeks ago (a 5 minute job) and immediately after the op, my finger moved freely. Today, I can play the melodeon and the accordion with no problem whatsoever.

I'm posting this because I've come across several people with what appears to be the same problem, but who have not been encouraged by their médecin traitant to seek further consultation. Fortunately my doc was not of that opinion.

I also have rhizarthrose which is arthritis at the base of the thumb, something that's vey common as we get older, especially in women. It's another thing where it would appear MTs don't encourage surgery, but my consultant who I saw today for post op check up said to come back when it really became a problem. They can do something about it, and very successfully, but it's a shame that there seems to be conflicting advice, though personally I would trust the specialist. It's possible that the expertise in that particular field isn't available everywhere. The Clinique de la Main in Rennes St Grégoire is one of the best in France.

Brilliant news.
I've got a similar problem with my right hand pinky.
If I have the operation do you think I'll be able to play my guitars with no problem 'cos I'm rubbish at the moment.

Well done Blaze!
It's good to know these things, so what you gonna do, L'Austin?

A GP told me years ago that base of the thumb is one of the most common common places for osteoarthritis arthritis to start. For years OA was dismissed as wear and tear but there’s been some interesting research lately and there’s a lot more been found out

L Austin France wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 5:40 pm Brilliant news.
I've got a similar problem with my right hand pinky.
If I have the operation do you think I'll be able to play my guitars with no problem 'cos I'm rubbish at the moment.

Can't guarantee perfection, LAF, but definitely recommend getting it looked at if it's causing a problem. Whilst mine didn't hurt, it did ache sometimes after playing and if you need your little finger for a musical instrument .... otherwise stick to a plectrum
Seriously, if you ever think of getting it done, I cannot speak highly enough of the surgeon I used. Two people had recommended him and the Clinique has an excellent reputation. I could have had it done in Saint-Malo but preferred to go to Rennes. It's a day job, in at 9.30am out by 1.30pm - breakfast was included !

Blaze wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 6:05 pm

L Austin France wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 5:40 pm Brilliant news.
I've got a similar problem with my right hand pinky.
If I have the operation do you think I'll be able to play my guitars with no problem 'cos I'm rubbish at the moment.

Can't guarantee perfection, LAF, but definitely recommend getting it looked at if it's causing a problem. Whilst mine didn't hurt, it did ache sometimes after playing and if you need your little finger for a musical instrument .... otherwise stick to a plectrum
Seriously, if you ever think of getting it done, I cannot speak highly enough of the surgeon I used. Two people had recommended him and the Clinique has an excellent reputation. I could have had it done in Saint-Malo but preferred to go to Rennes. It's a day job, in at 9.30am out by 1.30pm - breakfast was included !

At the mo. it's not too much of a musical problem as I'm a 'thumb plucker' prefering the more mellow sound over a pick. If it was my fretting hand I'd really have problems.
Good to know it can be fixed if it gets to be a nuisance
.

Blaze wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 6:05 pmIt's a day job, in at 9.30am out by 1.30pm - breakfast was included !

Local or general anaesthetic?

niemeyjt wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 6:48 pm

Blaze wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 6:05 pmIt's a day job, in at 9.30am out by 1.30pm - breakfast was included !

Local or general anaesthetic?

Local, they deadened the nerves in the arm. Whilst it took half an hour for the anaesthetic to do its job, it wore off fairly quickly after the op.

Blaze, thank you for posting this, I have to phone a consultant today for a preliminary appointment for a similar problem - mine is the ring finger on my right hand and the left one is starting with the symptoms. Your post has put my mind at rest (I freeze at the thought of anything medical).

@Chappers51 It was completely painless. I'm not exaggerating when I say the op took 5 minutes. You lie on a trolley with your hand on the operating table, and a small curtain blocking your view. By the time you've settled yourself down, it's finished ! The surgeon took down the curtain, took my hand and said "You must bend and flex your fingers straight away, like this, using your other hand if necessary ..." and did exactly that. Even once the anaesthetic wore off, there was no pain at all. The dressing was changed 2 days later and I saw the tiny incision, about 1cm long with 4 stitches.

Having seen how simple and painless the whole thing was, I should have had it done a long time ago. There are experts out there who can deal with these things. The problem is that we mere mortals aren't necessarily aware of it, probably because it's not the sort of thing people think of asking their doctor about.

I wouldn't normally give so much detail about an intervention but it's something so simple that can make a huge difference, particularly if you do a lot with your hands.