Author Topic: Finger Soarness (Read 1754 times)

chrischoo · « **on:** January 22, 2007, 04:44:25 AM »

Has anyone had experience with finger pain/soarness after bowling? I get pain/swelling in my finger tip joints (mostly on my ring finger) after bowling which hasn't gone away for years. My joints are swollen such that I can't completely bend the joint. I'm afraid that if I don't correct this I may permanenty damage my fingers.

I recently had my balls redrilled so that the span is about a quater of an inch closer. However this hasn't really helped. My span isn't overly stretched and actually feels comfortable when holding the ball.

I'm not sure what else to try. Is this possibly an issue with the way I release the ball?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

Ragnar · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2007, 12:54:43 PM »

Just a thought - have you checked the pitch of your fingers? One pitch does not fit all. You may have the fingers pitched too far back under the palm (or even too far away) for your flexibility. I'd have a competent driller look at this; maybe try something less under palm.
--------------------
"I do desire that we may be better strangers." Willie the Shake, As You Like it(III,ii)
"Life robs us of more than death does."

BOWL119 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2007, 02:05:02 PM »

If this problem has been going on for years, just changing your pitch or span may not help right off. You might have to take some time off, let the situation heal and then try to new drilling. Not sure how long, but I would take sometime off to rest.

One question that I have is do you also bowl during the summer? If so, then you are only getting maybe one month off during the entire year. You might want to look at taking the summer off and then see how it feels...
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T.J.

BOWLING IS FUN NO MATTER WHAT YOU SCORE. BUT A 300 IS ALWAYS NICE.

STRIKE ZONE, ONSLAUGHT & PYRO. STAND 22 AND THROW 10 OUT TO 5 AND CRUSH THE POCKET. AT LEAST THAT IS THE PLAN OF THE NIGHT...

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD BOWLING!!!

chrischoo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2007, 02:08:18 PM »

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. I will definitely have my drilling checked again.

TJ, I actually don't do a summer league so basically take most of the summer off except for the occasional practice. I also don't bowl that much any more because of the pain. Over the last year I've only bowled about 6-8 games a week.

Chris

bluerrpilot · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2007, 04:04:28 PM »

you might also want to look into that Sarge Easter type of grip.

chrischoo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2007, 11:24:37 AM »

I may try the Sarge Easter layout. Thanks for the suggestion

JohnP · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2007, 02:09:09 PM »

I suspect you have stiff joints and need more reverse pitch on your fingers. I had the same type of pain you're talking about. Was using 1/4 forward on both fingers. When I went to fitting/drilling school the teacher analyzed my hand and told me I needed 3/8 reverse on the MF and 5/8 reverse on the RF. No more pain. Try this -- put your fingers (only) in the ball with the pads completely in contact with the front of the holes. Now roll your thumb in its hole. If your finger tips pulled away from the front of the holes, you probably need to change either your finger or thumb pitches or both. -- JohnP

seven-pin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2007, 11:28:59 PM »

I had this same problem. I noticed that I had a callus forming on the side of my ring finger. To correct the problem I had my ball driller to plug and redrill the ring finger hole with a 1/4" latteral pitch in the direction of the callus. I used only this ball for about a week, the finger pain and swelling went away. Had all my equipment redrilled the same way and bowling has been finger pain free for the last seven years. Give this a try, it worked for me.

chitown · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2007, 11:43:17 PM »

quote:
I suspect you have stiff joints and need more reverse pitch on your fingers. I had the same type of pain you're talking about. Was using 1/4 forward on both fingers. When I went to fitting/drilling school the teacher analyzed my hand and told me I needed 3/8 reverse on the MF and 5/8 reverse on the RF. No more pain. Try this -- put your fingers (only) in the ball with the pads completely in contact with the front of the holes. Now roll your thumb in its hole. If your finger tips pulled away from the front of the holes, you probably need to change either your finger or thumb pitches or both. -- JohnP

John's advice is great. I used to have the foward finger pitch and changed it to 3/16 reverse in both fingers and now the pain is gone and release the ball better.
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NFC champion Chicago Bears!

chrischoo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2007, 08:11:25 AM »

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I've talk to another ball driller and he suggested that I move the MF back to its original position (ie. increase the length by 1/4 inch) and leave the ring finger in the same location but to reverse the pitch slightly. Since most of the pain and swelling is on the ring finger he said that this layout will relieve the pressure on the ring finger.

What do you guys think?

cgilyeat · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2007, 09:16:18 AM »

Have you had your Doctor check your fingers? I have similar problems with mine, soreness, can't bend them all the way, and it turns out I have arthritis in the middle joints. Not saying you do, but I'd have them checked.

chrischoo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2007, 09:26:59 AM »

arthritis....thats what I was afraid of. I suspect that I will get it if I don't correct this soon. I'm not experience constant paid right now so I don't think I have it.

Did you get arthritis as a result of bowling? What did you do to deal with it?

Chris

JohnP · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2007, 09:55:49 AM »

Chris -- See my earlier post. My stiffness came from thirty+ years of bowling with forward pitch in my finger holes, plus many episodes of jammed jingers while playing various types of ball as a youngster. You need to have a good fitter check your finger joints and pitches. As another quick check, just see how far the joint will bend without forcing it. If it's less than 90 degrees, you need some reverse pitch. The amount depends on how much less than 90 degrees it bends. -- JohnP

chrischoo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2007, 10:14:30 AM »

John, I definately need some reverse pitch since my fingers don't bend 90 degrees, especially with my swollen joint.

I'm having my ball drilled today so will let all of you know what happens. Thanks for all you help and suggestions.

Last week I started cocking my wrist to the left (right handed bowler) and this has appeared to help with the pain. So maybe my problem was a combination of bad form and drilling.

cgilyeat · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2007, 11:16:46 AM »

Advil, reverse pitch in the finger holes, and the doctor's best guess was that it was the result of 40+ years of bowling.

Author Topic: Finger Soarness (Read 1754 times)

chrischoo

Finger Soarness

Ragnar

Re: Finger Soarness

BOWL119

Re: Finger Soarness

chrischoo

Re: Finger Soarness

bluerrpilot

Re: Finger Soarness

chrischoo

Re: Finger Soarness

JohnP

Re: Finger Soarness

seven-pin

Re: Finger Soarness

chitown

Re: Finger Soarness

chrischoo

Re: Finger Soarness

cgilyeat

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chrischoo

Re: Finger Soarness

JohnP

Re: Finger Soarness

chrischoo

Re: Finger Soarness

cgilyeat

Re: Finger Soarness