Knuckle Injury - One Year On

Last year while training in Thailand I did some hand sparring with one of the Thai fighters at the camp. I didn't have wraps on, and the gloves they attached to me weren't very secure/tight fitting - but I didn't want to moan....lol

Anyway during the sparring session I caught the guy the "wrong" way, which damaged my knuckle. It swelt up for about two days but not too badly. It was tender to the touch but I just thought well it'll go away soon enough if I ease of it, and if I don't use it for a while.

It has now been about a year since the incident and it hasn't really got better. Obviousley the swelling went away in a few days but the tenderness is always there to a certain degree. If it goes away the first few punches bring it right back.

Anyway any idea of what could be causing the problem? Is it maybe tendons? If I was to go to the doctors they would just say rest it, and in a way I have as I have barely trained all year due to one thing or another.

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

I have bust every nuckle in both hands just about!! i would say go get an xray on ur hand, i left mine for to weeks once and like u thought it would just go away, then went top the hospital and had to have an emergency operation and had pins and wires in my hands and was in pot for 9 weeks!! stronger than ever now but damaged my other hand in last fight, but this aint half as bad!!

I'd certainly get it looked at by someone I trusted...

I had bruised knuckles on both hads for over 6 months once.. they did finally heal. I strongly suspect it took so long due to a large imbalance in health. Largely stress and recovery and lack of proper nutrition (which is stress and no recovery too).

If there is nothing physical they can find (and if they are good) the enviroment for healing migh not be optimal.

Are you still hitting with it?

EFT is likely to help (even if something is a truely physical injury there are still emotional aspects). It help my Mums rheumatism for one example. Its still there but the pain has deminished.

Hey just had a thought.. lol think there are msg boards with hand surgens etc lol
Just go join a msg board that covers an area you are interested in finding something out in lol

Good luck!

hey king, i feel ur pain mate, my symptoms sound just like urz, xcept mi nukle still swell evritime i hit with it, its been a month since i injured it and had some physio n xrays but nothin seems to have helped, ive been thinkin bout joining tae kwon do for a wile to give my fist time to heal.... but going bak to muay thai as soon as its healed

I think probally everyone that hits stuff for fun has problemd with thier hands at some stage.

I've competed in some Kyokushin bareknuckle competitions and the best thing for problems that last longer then the average couple of weeks was soaking them in really cold water for a couple of minutes and then warm water for a couple of minutes.

Busted knuckles suck. good luck.

...re-reading that,a couple of beers appears to not be a good effect on my spelling or senatnce structure :-)

Mtk how did your knuckle end up/ is it ok now ? sounds like something i have right now . Hurt it about 2 months ago warming up believe it or not and it swelled right over the 4 knuckles for a few days! But it,s never really got better i have rested it for short periods not really enougth i have even had to start putting 2 hand wraps on the 1 hand , cant clench my fist properly either :( I can throw straight rights with it as soon as i throw a hook thats when I feel it . An update on your situation would be appreciated .

Cheers Phil.

I'd say go see your G.P and ask to be referred to a hand specialist, or go private.

Too many people ignore hand injuries and cause long term damage, tendon and ligiment damage can be fixed and physio can be set up to help you regain full range of movement, in the right time.

Some surgeries see patients put into splints and have to follow a six week rehab program (flexor tendon injuries) this includes weekly physio and O.T assessments to monitor progress and allow tendons to heal.


If surgery is not required then general strengthening ex's may be issued.
Bottom line, you need your hands for every day activities and it's quite a distressing time when people lose the ability to do what they'd normally take for granted.


If your struggling to clench a full fist and apply pressure with your other hand then hitting pads or people will only delay the healing process.

Kelly

A good physio rocks!

Surgery is a last resort and only if necessary in my opinion.

Careful who recommends it too - if all you know is a hammer then thats what you'll think is best.

Mark you calling me a Hammer?? Only Joking :)

I agree surgery should be a last resort, and a good surgeon will say the same thing, in Leeds we have a dedicated hand team, and people travel from all over the country to be seen by these Consulatants and Physio's.

If you are thinking of going to see a Physio, check they have experience of dealing with hand injuris and not just fractures :)

Kelly

:)

Agreed -of course almost all good surgeons is limit is his knowledge of alternatives.

Sound great Kelly!!

I think we all have a tendency to be a hammer :) I know I do;)

How's everyone's knuckle problems going now?
I did mine at training a good 4 months ago and the swelling and pain haven't subsided at all.
I've been to physio and a doctor, had acupuncture and a Kenacort-A injection (which did make the swelling go away but the pain stayed) but any small bump against a solid surface and it swells right back up again.
Would love to get this fixed as I was just starting to train hard in Muay Thai. I've had one fight and would love to be able to get back into it. But with my knuckle as it is I haven't been able to train at all for the entire 4 months.
Any help people can offer would be much appreciated.
Cheers

This sounds like it could be a flexor tendon injury and minor surgery may be the answer, not all physio's do hand therapy as a rotation and therefor lack the ability to diagnose the problem.

I would look up a hand surgeon through a private clinic or have your GP refer you. (not sure how the system works out there)

Look up flexor tendon of the hand, see what your symptons are aginst the ones listed.

If this is the problem you would prob need surgery and this would mean post op following a flexor tendon rehab program, and the wearing of a splint to limit too much movement.

Good Luck

K :)

Thanks very much Kelly, I'll look into it.

Sorry Phil that I haven't replied to your comment, forgot all about this thread LOL

Still get bother with the knuckle, but at the moment that is the least of my worries. Got damaged ligaments in my hand now due to punching a wall in the Gym after having a fall out with the Mrs, and rather staying home in a mood, I went to training LOL That was back in July. Fought with the damaged hand and that just made it worse, couldn't really think about hitting a bag/pad until around Xmas time.

That is not as bad now thankfully, but what I do have I think is a suspected fracture in my hand, not that I am a doctor or that though LOL The area swells up, and is agony after a few punches. Really need to go to get it x-rayed, but usually after waiting 4/5 hours in A&E they then just fob you off.......

A fracture would have calcified by now... I'd go with tendon damage/rupture :(

Not good, a fracture would be easier and quicker to heal.

Go to your local NHS drop in centre as its not an A&E problem seen as the injury is so old, alternatively go see your G.P get a ref direct to your HAND specialist for a full assessment or if you are insured or in the hospital fund go private select your consultant by researching them on the bupa/spire/nuffield website, once you have a diagnosis ask if they would treat you on the NHS...

They may buddy strap or splint the finger/hand depending on origin of damage.

K