Finger tendon sheath inflammation?

[Abi-snail]

Hi. I'm new to this forum. I was a member of the old one a few years ago. I've been using the C2 since the 1990s (models B-E). I bought my own model D in 2006. I've lapsed a bit recently in the regularity of my workouts so I'm trying to get back into it, hopefully with the help of the forum. Right now I'm recovering from flu & tonsillitis so I've started with the "first workouts" section on the C2 website to ease back into action very gently. Did the 3rd one this morning and felt great.

Previously when I was working out more regularly one niggle was problematic. I developed tendon sheath inflammation in my index fingers. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Any suggestions to prevent a reoccurrence? I've seen a product online (grips to attach to handles) recommended for use with the C2 so I've orders them. Has anyone here tried them? I can't find any reviews or information online.

[gregsmith01748]

Independent of any changes to the handle or other products, I think the way you grip the handle can have a lot to do with causing hand and finger problems.

A consistent recommendation is to hold the handle loosely, with your fingers just "hooked" over the grip instead of tightly gripping. The other thing to try is to alter your grip if you start to feel irritation. I have a few specific ways to do this.

1. Move your thumbs from under the grip to over the grip. I do this for a few minutes during a row. It feels weird, but it changes the pressure point from the index finger to the middle and ring finger.

2. Play piano on recovery. After the finish of the drive, while you slide back up the rail, wiggle your fingers as if you are playing a scale on a piano. This keeps the blood flowing, reminds you to keep the grip loose, and ends up varying your grip enough to avoid hotspots that cause blisters.

3. Vary the position of your hands on the grip. I will move my hands close together (near the chain) for a few pulls, or move them far enough out so that the end of the handle is right in the middle of my palm and I am rowing with just my index finger, middle finger and thumb. This also changes the way that your wrist flexes at the finish which can be good if you start to feel irritation in your wrist during a long row.

Good luck!

[markinnb]

/\ what greg said.

-some people grip it like a madman/ madwoman- choking the heck out of the grip. with the handle deep in the palm of the hand.
-other people have a yaw thing going on with their wrists, possibly due to anatomy yet whatever the cause- their 'hook' isn't aligned straight.
-it causes pressure at certain finger joints at the exclusion of others.
-positioning of the handle itself: too high in the finger hook or too low. try different positions.
- others have a pitch thing going on: they do a reverse wrist curl with each stroke. this may have more to do with onwater rowing carried over to c2 rowing.
- others have a pitch & yaw issue: wrist off sideways grip and the curl under.

I've watched one guy do the latter style of stroke and he has the added complication of dominant shoulder ( right ) drop.
so he is pulling the handle at an angle upwards to his left.
the handle appear to be off parallel by about 20-30 Degrees.

one ex-rowing partner had a lateral motion to the wrist- this created some issues that was resolved with a different width grip- as Greg suggested.

I don't have these issue as I am not pulling with any power - certainly not close to the majority of people who post on this board.

[Abi-snail]

Hi. Thanks for your replies. My hands are pretty loose on the handle and I've already changed to having my thumbs resting on top, which seems to help. Piano fingers on the recovery too. I'm consciously avoiding pulling in wonky in case that had anything to do with it. Time will tell as I get back into regular workouts. So far doing alternate days, which seems sustainable. I did break my right hand about 5 years ago and it's not set quite straight and the right index finger is more of an issue. It may be related. I use my hands all the time at work, which is probably a big part of the problem, since I spend a lot more time at work than rowing.

[blue_heron]

I'm glad you posted this. People put up good suggestions. I have a question for you: do you have trigger finger where the finger kind of locks and pops? I've had several of them. A quick outpatient tendon release surgery took care of it, and I've had no problems since then. It might not be a problem for you to that point, but just to let you know the solution is out there. Good luck.

[Todd123]

Hi. I'm new to this forum. I was a member of the old one a few years ago. I've been using the C2 since the 1990s (models B-E). I bought my own model D in 2006. I've lapsed a bit recently in the regularity of my workouts so I'm trying to get back into it, hopefully with the help of the forum. Right now I'm recovering from flu & tonsillitis so I've started with the "first workouts" section on the C2 website to ease back into action very gently. Did the 3rd one this morning and felt great.

Hi, now I'm the new guy with the same problem and diagnosis! Please tell me what you did to circumvent this issue. I was using a very loose grip and I ended up at the doctor in real pain and ended up getting a cortisone shot in my hand. My hand is almost healed but I'm nervous to go back and try it again. Did the grips helps? Gloves? Loose grip vs more firm grip?
Thanks! Todd

[Dangerscouse]

Hi, now I'm the new guy with the same problem and diagnosis! Please tell me what you did to circumvent this issue. I was using a very loose grip and I ended up at the doctor in real pain and ended up getting a cortisone shot in my hand. My hand is almost healed but I'm nervous to go back and try it again. Did the grips helps? Gloves? Loose grip vs more firm grip?
Thanks! Todd

I haven't ever had that problem, but I've got a few thoughts.

Are you pulling, and not pushing enough? I think you need to grip the handle harder as that will at least slightly displace the pressure from your fingers.

I'd also suggest some sort of finger strengthening exercises e.g. hand gripper, hanging from pull up bar (or something similar), as I wonder if it's got something to do with lack of grip strength?