QuestionHi there. I'm a 24 year old male who has been bowling with a 16 pound ball
drilled for my fingers for 3+ years with no prior issues. About one year ago I
joined an adult league that met once a week. Shortly after the season started
I began to feel a sharp pain in between my middle finder and my index finger
at the joint near the base of the fingers. The pain persisted week after week,
but I kept bowling due to financial commitment, and pure stubbornness. I
thought that once the season ended my finger would heal itself, and the pain
would go away. It has been over 6 months since the season ended, and I
have stayed away from the game hoping the finger would heal. I have since
gone bowling only once, and the pain is exactly the same. It seems to hurt
most upon release of the ball after the thumb comes out. I have been
religiously icing the area of concern, and also taking anti-inflammatory
medication. I also started using a compression ball with the hopes of
strengthening the fingers. As of right now, bowling is far too painful to
endure, so this is a very frustrating injury. If you have any suggestions as to
the cause or treatment, I would be most grateful. Thank you.
Answer
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
Hello Corey, as a professional coach I hate losing bowlers to pain and injuries. I have written several articles on finger and thumb pain such as yours. Please visit my page and review my past answers to finger and thumb pain. Sometimes, pain in one area(the fingers or hand), often points to a problem in another area(the thumb or span).
Please read this link: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Bowling-1812/2010/6/finger-pain.htm For some insight as to my perspective on pain and injuries in bowling. I truly would like to ask that you consider visiting your pro shop for another look at your ball fit. Since I have addressed thumb pain and finger pain on a couple of articles please read both because you could possibly be compensating for one injury, while causing another. In my new book I speak to the art of "beveling" the thumb hole and how it can save your game.
In summary Corey, its not unheard of for a finger jury to be caused by a bowler leaving his thumb out of the ball. Likewise its not unusual to have a bowler using his thumb, but only using one of the two fingers to lift or turn the ball in the delivery. This puts a lot of stress on the tendons, ligaments, and joints of the hand, wrist and fingers.
One thing for sure Corey, pain will make you quit any sport or activity. In closing, read some of my past articles on injuries and pain when bowling. Make it a point to see your pro shop professional. If one of your fingers is really loose, or goes way down in the hole, finger tip or conventional grip, have your span checked out. Keep me posted. I am always curious to what the problem turned out to be and what the solution was.
Remember Corey, the body will only take so much. You were wise not to bowl to this point. Continue doing so until a solution for your problem is found. Be well and when you can, Bowl well !!!
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book!)
