My poor finger, a week on

Do you know, it is still so painful! I have worked the last couple of days, today back cutting the same blackthorn that caused this problem, and I have to say, my poor finger is suffering. It has swollen, is hot to the touch and itchy and very painful. Antibiotics finish tomorrow, I guess then it will be a case of watching to see what happens. I still cannot bend the tip of my finger into a fist, in fact, at this moment in time, I can't make a fist at all! My finger actually looks to be bent out of shape, but how can that be??!!

Thanks for all of your kind, get well wishes. They do help cheer me up which goes a long way to making me feel better. :-D

 

Oh EJ, that does NOT sound good at all!
I'd head back to the Doctors to see what he thinks...

 

I hope it gets better soon EJ.I know how you feel.I got stuck through a vain on my thumb by a Mascara Plant and had to have all the x-rays but thank goodness none was left in it.I had an infection in it and almost was put in the hospital.They told me that the plant protects itself, go figure that.

 

EJ, you mentioned that it is hot and painful. I think itchy is good. Ususally means healing, but the fact that it is still swollen doesn't sound good. When do you go back to the doctor? You said anti-biotics almost gone. You may need another round or maybe a different kind. This sounds gross, but is there something that needs to be lanced (opened up to drain). If there is infection still there, that could be causing the continued swelling. So hoping that it gets much better soon.

 

I have to use the mommy-voice and order you back to the GP too. I'm so sorry for you and that finger of yours, how annoying. Speedy recovery to you, but please go in for a check-up.

 

Emma--Kuntrygal, Eileen and Droopy are spot-on. You must return to see your doc. Sooner rather than later.
You don't want to loose full mobility of that finger. And the fact that there remains some heat to the touch of that red joint indicated to me that there is still an active infection in there.
Have you been soaking that joint in hot water a few times every day? I do wonder if the puncture site has healed-over, trapping things inside.

Personally I find the misformation of your finger not a good sign, although I can't exactly imagine what you mean in your description. By "bent out of shape", do you mean the the finger seems to veer off at a jaunty angle from the injured joint? It makes one wonder if a tendon had not been injured or even severed.

Nope, all in all it is a scenario that requires further attention I feel. Don't be silly and wait...just go back now.

You know Emma, alot of folks are intimidated by physicans and hate to ask them things or insist upon something being done, but it is in your own best interest to persue this injury.

 

Yes Emma please go back as it can be a life treatening infection.Thats why I told you of mine.I don't want to scare you but please check it out.You think its just a finger but infection can travel in the blood.

 

Thank you all for your concern. Yes, the antibiotics have finished today, and I had my tetanus jab, so I should be covered from an infection point of view. I will call the quacks tomorrow and see if they can fit me in, altho this time of year trying to get an appointment is tough going, especially with this rotten flu/sickness bug that is still doing the rounds.

As for the angle of my finger Sjoerd, yes, it looks as though my finger has been slightly bent to the left at the knuckle - when I try to put my fingers together, there is a definate gap - but the surgeon did say that there is tendon damage but if the operate, the damage will most probably be worse. The finger is swollen at the moment, but again, I have been using it throughout the day so by now it aches terribly. The heat is out of it, but it does still itch. I don't believe they can lance the knuckle as there isn't a build up of fluid. It is a rotten nuisance but I will get it checked out some more.

 

Well Emma, I have to say that the heat being out of it is a good sign to me...and as Kuntrygal said itchyness is usually a good sign of healing.

It is an interesting comment that the surgeon made about correcting the angulation of your finger. Was the surgeon a surgeon who specializes in hand surgery? These chaps who have a subspeciality in hand surgery can work wonders. I wonder if you can't inquire about the possibility to be sent to one for an evaluation.
I don't know for certain if there are any in the UK, but I do know for a fact that they exist in the U.S., so I imagine that they do.
Sometimes you have top be a bit forceful and not ask for a consult, but rather demand one.
Look, the injury is still relatively new, so something can perhaps still be done--if you wait too long the chances of correction may be significantly less.

I sincerely hope that you can see a specialist soon, as this may be beyond the scope of a GP there. Deep penetrating wounds into the joint space are not a run-of-the-mill and thus require specialized attention.

Well do keep us informed as to the progress, will you? I would just hate to see this turn into a permanent deformity.

 

I SO hope your finger will hurry and improve. I wouldn't be surprised if the swelling was due to use. Of course Real Life must go on. Hopefully the doc can put your mind to rest.

 

Think positive...it does not hurt, it does not hurt....I think fingers or hand injuries are always lingering...just keep an eye on it and if it starts bothering you too much...back to the doctor you go...I hope it feels better real soon..

 

OK, EJ we are all wanting an update on your doctor visit today!

 

Yes we sure are....say, K'gal--ya don't reckon they kept 'er doyah?

 

Possibly, or maybe she is just ignoring us...maybe she didn't go to the doctor. I just wish we knew something...good news.