BadBasser Posted August 29, 2020 Posted August 29, 2020 I've got trigger finger of my right thumb from casting a bait caster. This year I got side imaging which opened up off shore fishing with long casts. I also decided to try the big swim bait and glide bait thing. The result Fisherman's Thumb which involves pain and a popping of the end of the thumb when the thumb is moved. Has anyone had it and what did you do about it and how long did it last? Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted August 29, 2020 Global Moderator Posted August 29, 2020 Amputation is the only solution. 3 3 Quote
Dens228 Posted August 29, 2020 Posted August 29, 2020 I thought fisherman's thumb was when your thumb got all chewed up from lipping a bunch of bass on a great day of fishing. 10 1 Quote
Born 2 fish Posted August 29, 2020 Posted August 29, 2020 Never heard of it I’ve gotten bass thumb quite a bit. Quote
Super User NorcalBassin Posted August 29, 2020 Super User Posted August 29, 2020 Quick generic answer for you... a good analogy for you would be having micro guides on your rod designed for no more than 30# test and then changing out your line for 40#. Instead of the line (your tendon) sliding right through the guides (your tendon pulleys/sheath), the line rubs/catches due to being too thick (inflamed tendon from overuse in your case). Odds are you'd respond to resting the thumb (avoid activities/movements that reproduce your symptoms), ice, and possibly even a splint to allow everything to calm down. If that doesn't start helping within a few days it would be well worth your time to see an ortho specializing in hands and/or a physical or occupational therapist that is a certified hand therapist. Quote
Super User Jig Man Posted August 29, 2020 Super User Posted August 29, 2020 If you actually have trigger you can get cortisone/lidocaine injections. They sometimes do the trick for a few months then you need a repeat. When they stop working then the knife is the solution. I am rehabbing trigger surgery on three fingers on my right hand. I did the injections for 3 years before they quit working. Quote
BadBasser Posted August 29, 2020 Author Posted August 29, 2020 Thanks for the input. I'm hoping to avoid the knife but will do what ever is necessary. 1 Quote
Shimano_1 Posted August 29, 2020 Posted August 29, 2020 3 hours ago, Dens228 said: I thought fisherman's thumb was when your thumb got all chewed up from lipping a bunch of bass on a great day of fishing. Thats the only kind of sore thumb I've had from fishing and I welcome it every time! 1 Quote
Dens228 Posted August 30, 2020 Posted August 30, 2020 2 hours ago, Shimano_1 said: Thats the only kind of sore thumb I've had from fishing and I welcome it every time! I have one right now, great back to back days of fishing! Quote
kdubracing Posted August 30, 2020 Posted August 30, 2020 I have that, only in my pinky. In high school, I partially tore the tendon and it would slip into the joint and pop like you describe. I had surgery and that fixed it. I’ve been fishing a lot this year, and I hold my spinning rod between my ring and pinky fingers. It’s doing the same thing again, so I think that tendon is messed up again. May be what you did also. Quote
Super User GreenPig Posted August 30, 2020 Super User Posted August 30, 2020 6 hours ago, Dens228 said: I thought fisherman's thumb was when your thumb got all chewed up from lipping a bunch of bass on a great day of fishing. Like this chewed up thumb. Seriously casting with both hands helps. 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted August 30, 2020 Global Moderator Posted August 30, 2020 Can you cast with the other hand? Not sure if that will give it the time to rest and allow it to heal or not. Quote
Super User WRB Posted August 31, 2020 Super User Posted August 31, 2020 Have you consulted a hand DR? Your problem may be carpal tunnel tendon issues, easy surgical repair. It could also be artrtis related. Todays anglers don't know the proper casting technique using bait casting reels. The reel handle should be upright your thumb towards your ear, not upright. Tom Quote
BayouSlide Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 The surgery for trigger finger is pretty straightforward. Solved my problem immediately with two of the fingers on my right hand. Talk with a good orthopedic hand specialist. Quote
Bluegillslayer Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 On 8/29/2020 at 1:18 PM, Dens228 said: I thought fisherman's thumb was when your thumb got all chewed up from lipping a bunch of bass on a great day of fishing. It is, when I come home i show my parents my "bass thumb" but my mom always thinks its a fungus or something? Quote
Super User geo g Posted August 31, 2020 Super User Posted August 31, 2020 I have had fisherman's thumb many times from big bass destroying it. Even bleeding a few times, but that's always a happy pain, from big bass and especially peacock bass, that will really tear up a thumb. It's the pain of victory! Never a sore thumb from casting! No idea how that happens! Quote
Super User DitchPanda Posted August 31, 2020 Super User Posted August 31, 2020 On 8/29/2020 at 9:28 PM, GreenPig said: Like this chewed up thumb. Seriously casting with both hands helps. Look dude your not fooling anybody you did that with either sandpaper or a lime zester...I know because I've bass fished 20 years and I've never had that problem! Just messin... doesn't happen to me often but when it does its a welcome problem. I had it back in May for a few days...caught about 50 one weekend with many over 3lbs ...tore me up. The worst I've had was a few springs ago I find bass stacked in a protected cove and proceeded to crush them for several hours almost every cast with my girlfriend on a jerkbait. These fish were all cookie cutter dinks...11 to 13 inches...but we caught them til we got bored and tired. I didn't count but I probably caught 125 and she caught 50 to 75. I unhooked them all because of the treble hook situation so my thumb looked like it had road rash when I was done. 1 Quote
DaubsNU1 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 1 hour ago, DitchPanda said: Look dude your not fooling anybody you did that with either sandpaper or a lime zester...I know because I've bass fished 20 years and I've never had that problem! Just messin... doesn't happen to me often but when it does its a welcome problem. I had it back in May for a few days...caught about 50 one weekend with many over 3lbs ...tore me up. The worst I've had was a few springs ago I find bass stacked in a protected cove and proceeded to crush them for several hours almost every cast with my girlfriend on a jerkbait. These fish were all cookie cutter dinks...11 to 13 inches...but we caught them til we got bored and tired. I didn't count but I probably caught 125 and she caught 50 to 75. I unhooked them all because of the treble hook situation so my thumb looked like it had road rash when I was done. I got in to 'em this weekend...found a little weed bed next to a drop off in to a creek channel...hammered the little 9-12" bass for a few hours...and got "bass thumb"! Three different times I put together a string of "three-fish-on-three-consecutive-casts." FUN! 1 Quote
papajoe222 Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 I had exactly what you describe. It's called trigger finger. when it occurs on the thumb, it is much worse that on the other fingers. When it unlocks is when the discomfort becomes pain. There are two solutions. The first is an injection of cordizone (sp?), which can sometimes permanently eliminate it. The other is surgery, which will take a while to recover from I waited until the fishing season was over to have the surgery done. With some physical therapy, I'm back. Glad I had it done. Talk to your Dr. He/she will likely recommend you see an orthopedic surgeon. Quote
Super User GreenPig Posted September 1, 2020 Super User Posted September 1, 2020 6 hours ago, DitchPanda said: Look dude your not fooling anybody you did that with either sandpaper or a lime zester...I know because I've bass fished 20 years and I've never had that problem! Just messin... doesn't happen to me often but when it does its a welcome problem. I had it back in May for a few days...caught about 50 one weekend with many over 3lbs ...tore me up. The worst I've had was a few springs ago I find bass stacked in a protected cove and proceeded to crush them for several hours almost every cast with my girlfriend on a jerkbait. These fish were all cookie cutter dinks...11 to 13 inches...but we caught them til we got bored and tired. I didn't count but I probably caught 125 and she caught 50 to 75. I unhooked them all because of the treble hook situation so my thumb looked like it had road rash when I was done. That roughed up thumb was from a 28 Spotted bass, 9 LM, and 41 Striper day. One of those special days that make up for tough days. I get on the Spots a few times a year and my thumb will literally get to bleeding. Not whinning. Quote
Super User DitchPanda Posted September 1, 2020 Super User Posted September 1, 2020 37 minutes ago, GreenPig said: That roughed up thumb was from a 28 Spotted bass, 9 LM, and 41 Striper day. One of those special days that make up for tough days. I get on the Spots a few times a year and my thumb will literally get to bleeding. Not whinning. Never caught a spot...it's on my fishing to do list 1 Quote
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