Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ohiorider on June 09, 2021, 03:10:19 PM
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9am this morning, had xrays made of right hand because of the excessively painful joint at the base of the thumb (arthritic.) Followed by not the most pleasant injection I've ever had (steroid/novacaine combo,) directly into the joint. No guarantees ..... works well for some, not so well for others. Fingers crossed.
Bob
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Bob,
Goodluck with the treatment,I hope it works.
Growing old isnt for the faint of heart, etc.
Cheers
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I use a cramp buster on highways to ease the pressure on my thumb joint.
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I've been doing physical therapy on my clutch hand, my left thumb. So far the therapy has been working. I'm about 70% better. It's an issue with the saddle bone and strengthening some the surrounding muscles and over strengthening the "twisting" muscles. So it's a matter of getting things in alignment and adding back some strength.
One thing the therapist warned me about, "Don't squeeze a rubber ball."
I didn't know that drugs and steroids were possibility but for now I'm glad the therapy and support gloves are working.
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Several folks I know swear by The Thumb Thing at www.ruoutside.com
https://www.ruoutside.com/thumbthing.html
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Several folks I know swear by The Thumb Thing at www.ruoutside.com
https://www.ruoutside.com/thumbthing.html
those things help. My therapist made me one out of moldable plastic (hot water) and recommended buying one with a Velcro strap. I have three of them including the hard plastic one. I'm wearing them a little less now since I've been getting better.
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I had my clutch hand rebuilt last fall. It is much better. I'm probably looking at an injection on my throttle hand before long. I had one in my left shoulder a few years back, and it really seemed to help.
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I've had hand cramping forever. This works better than anything I have ever found, hands down.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293780927191?epid=171134445&hash=item4466b532d7:g:qOYAAOSwFN9fhhUf
I've also had cortisone in my knee, shoulder, & back. The stuff was magic for me, but be warned. Once is not always enough. It can take as many as 3 times. I know this because my doc cautioned me and I've talked to lots of people with experience. So give it a fair shot.
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Appreciate all your comments about your own experiences with hand issues. I'll know more in a few days, after/if the cortisone reduces inflammation and subsequent swelling.
Bob
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As someone who has has a lot of Cortisone over the years, I can tell you that it plays havoc with your bone density. Eventually, the stuff spreads throughout the body and if you have enough of it, that is, over a number of years, it leads to Osteoporosis. Then, you have to begin a course of treatment for that condition too.
Just one shot in the thumb once a year wont weaken the skeleton but just be aware of the consequences and side-effects of medication.
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Ditto for the suggestion re the CrampBuster. I have had one on every bike I've had for the last 12-15 years and just fitted one to the "new" Breva 750. They take a bit of getting used to; not best to ride in traffic until one is used to them.
Ralph
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I've gotten two sets of steroid injections in my finger joints (RA) about a year apart as I'm concerned over having them too often. The needle is painful going in and the hurt continues for a couple of days. Then the relief begins. Well worth it imho.
Rich A
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I've been doing physical therapy on my clutch hand, my left thumb. So far the therapy has been working. I'm about 70% better. It's an issue with the saddle bone and strengthening some the surrounding muscles and over strengthening the "twisting" muscles. So it's a matter of getting things in alignment and adding back some strength.
One thing the therapist warned me about, "Don't squeeze a rubber ball."
I didn't know that drugs and steroids were possibility but for now I'm glad the therapy and support gloves are working.
Good to hear you are improving!
Tell me about what you do with your therapy to strengthen your hand please.
Mark
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What bike are you riding that causes the cramping?
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Someone may have already said it or by another name but I use a throttle paddle on all my bikes. This actually takes most of the need for gripping the throttle away. Hope all goes well.
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Good to hear you are improving!
Tell me about what you do with your therapy to strengthen your hand please.
... :rolleyes: :popcorn:
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mentioning throttle locks, I have three bikes with them. The thumb button ones like a Vista always seem to be too weak whenever I need them. I have them on both Guzzis and neither had enough grip to work whenever I wanted to use them. I guess I should've adjusted them before I took a ride? And after a while they'll lose grip altogether.
I find the better option is the "clothespin" style. Just rotate to on the brake lever and it holds the throttle down. They're cheap, so if the lose grip, you're not out much. The new one I got is aluminum, with a thumb hold release and thumb screw to adjust the tension. Very simple. $10.
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rK8AAOSwVQBc945s/s-l1600.jpg)
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One last thing that I forgot, I asked my Doctor (sometimes quack IMO) about supplements. He recommended Osteo Biflex (generic glucosamine chondroitin). It's supposed to help joints and flexibility. I was having pain with my back, hip, achilles and thumb, all since about the first of the year. My thumb was by far the most painful. Anyway, after working with two physical therapists and taking the supplement, I'm much better.
I can't tell if the supplement helps or not but I'm reluctant to give it up and it's not cheap <Guzzi content>
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My secret sauce to pain management. I use lidocaine cream 4% or 5% if I can find it mixed mixed with diclofenac aka Voltaren cream 1%, 2.5% or from Mexico 5%. Apply to the area needed. Usually hands and wrist. Some times My lower back. I ask My compounding pharmacist friend about this combination and He recommended to do this. The relief is very noticeable and last 7-8 hours.
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My secret sauce to pain management. I use lidocaine cream 4% or 5% if I can find it mixed mixed with diclofenac aka Voltaren cream 1%, 2.5% or from Mexico 5%. Apply to the area needed. Usually hands and wrist. Some times My lower back. I ask My compounding pharmacist friend about this combination and He recommended to do this. The relief is very noticeable and last 7-8 hours.
That’s what I use as well. That thumb joint responded to the exercises the best of any physical therapy on any joint I had. At least every other day I do them and it’s gone from barely functional to mostly unnoticeable. I wish the other joints would do as well. The joint has to learn to stay in the stay in the socket is the key.
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/293780927191?epid=171134445&hash=item4466b532d7:g:qOYAAOSwFN9fhhUf
This is fully adjustable with a simple allen wrench that comes with it. I have never had one "wear out". You can have any amount of tension you like.
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I've had osteoarthritis in my right wrist for the last 20 years. Giving up golfing wasn't a problem but riding is a different story. The LMIV-SE with it's bellcrank 40's really pushes my wrist to it's limits as does the '03 V11 Lemans with it's long reach to the grips. However, if it is comfort I need, I'll take the Wing, it has electronic cruise control.
Anyway, I used to take an Ibuprofen & Acetaminophen to reduce inflammation & pain but these days I take a 200mg anti-inflammatory and I'm good to go.
Hey Bob, hope to see you and the rest of the gang tomorrow at Mike's Place for breaky!
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If you ride a bike with carburetors like mine, you can buy a much softer spring for the slide which makes it much easier to open the throttle . You could also put on a larger throttle grip which would also increase your leverage on the throttle. Also make sure your cables slide freely as possible.
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Similar but a little different- I asked my doc about elbow joint pain, tennis elbow. He suggested Voltaren cream and some exercises to stretch out that particular tendon. It (V) is an NSAID. I'll give it a go, but it has only been one day. The PIA with it is you are supposed to apply it 4 times a day. I know me, and that ain't happening. I might get three.
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I used both a wrist assist (aka throttle rocker) and a clothespin style throttle lock on my recent 10k mile trip. Couldn't have done the trip without them. It's an interesting exercise to decide which device to use for a given riding condition. Throttle lock for long straight sections with consistent speed, wrist assist for varied speed in light curves or traffic. No device at all for good, curvy roads or high traffic areas. With the throttle lock engaged I'd often press my right hand finger tips against my fuel tank to stretch the tissues in my fingers and hand. Have done the same thing against my steering wheel on the way home from Columbia Gorge windsurfing trips after sailing all day hanging onto a boom.
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I wish it was only my thumb. I got that disease in every part of my body and take lots of medication just to walk every day. A few times I've gone for a 300km ride with lots of clutch work and have been climbing all over the handlebars on the way back just trying to change gears. Anyway no use complaining. Try some magnesium it may help.
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I also use those big fat foam grips. I don't have to curl my hand as far and the foam reduces vibrations as well. Especially with gloves the big grips help. My hands do not like closing down any farther than necessary when I put on any kind of gloves. There are foam sleeves you can slide over your smaller grips & those are cheap. I use a pair on my big scooter.