Pain in digitus minimus

[Laredo]

I just wanted to say 'digitus minimus'. ;P

Anyways, the little finger on my dominant hand is in pain. Not all the time or during normal use such as driving or gripping. But when used for massage, writing, etc., it is. I cannot exactly describe the pain, but it is worst during assisted flexion in all directions, and unassisted downward flexion.

I have been stretching it and practicing ROM both assisted and unassisted. Still hurts. I don't experience injury a lot (other than chronic back pain), so I cannot say for sure what it 'feels like', but possibly pain in the extensor tendons?

What can I do?

 

[dark angel]

Pain in digitus minimus

As well as massaging dorsal and palmar sides of hand and forearms, especially ulnar side, watch how you're holding that digit. Example: are you abducting it way out as you do certain techniques?

 

[Donna F]

Pain in digitus minimus

My first impression is to look to the wrist simply because this happens to me on occasion. When I get it adjusted by my chiropractor (or am lucky enough to get it on my own), the pain stops. Also look for compression of the ulnar nerve or the posterior interosseous nerve (can be caused by tension in the supinator muscle and flexor carpi/digitorum muscles).

 

[Toxic Witch]

Pain in digitus minimus

Hard to really say without checking you out and performing an assessment. Nerve entrapment can occur anywhere along its length, but you need to figure out which nerve is being affected. The ulnar nerve feeds the pinky finger so try working out the flexors of your hand/fingers. You may also find relief by having work to your scalenes, triceps and subscap by a competent massage therapist. And again, without checking your situation, I can only guess it's a problem somewhere along the ulnar nerve distribution. Remember that although you are feeling the pain in the distal end of the nerve, you can have a restriction anywhere along the nerve pathway.

 

[Arburbula]

Pain in digitus minimus

I totally hear you! I've had an extremely busy weekend full of intense massaging and my right thumb has felt like it's being electricuted because of some serious nerve stuff going on. It shoots all the way up into my arm and it literally brings me to my knees! I've been compressing my forearm, and having my boyfriend do the same unti I can get in for a massage. I've also been stretching and icing it like crazy. It hurts more when I'm not massaging and just hit in the wrong way or do everyday things, which seems to be what you're experiencing as well.
I think some suggestions of getting some good bodyworks done to find some associated muscle and nerve connections is your best bet, along with some ice and rest! Good luck!