middle and ring finger killing me

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Hello Everybody, I've  been  production mig welding for about three weeks now (10 - and 12 hr days). When i wake up in the morning i can barely  move my  middle or ring finger. I been doing some search but really cant find anything. Everybody complains about their wrist or elbow. I can move my wrist and elbow and trigger finger no problem. but my middle finger and  ringer finger are killing me any thoughts?
Reply:First, welcome to the world of welding...j/k......its called trigger finger, scar tissue has formed around the tendon of you fingers in your hand. My middle finger will lock into the close position and when i try to open the rest of my fingers, all of them will open normally except the middle finger and then it will finally "pop" open. I also have carpruel"spelling"tunnel syndrome in both hands as well as tennis elbow in both arms. I have found that if you start taking glucosamean"spelling" it will help a lot with these symtoms, but the trigger finger will not change. If you press firmly on the tendons on the inside of your palm, you will probably feel little lumps, that is the scar tissue. The only way to get rid of it is surgey, it will fix that but it will come back with the same use you are using it for unfortunately. Just have to push through it. It sucks
Reply:You need to be changing position.  Often I go to using my pointer to press the trigger and my gun hand back on the neck.  It gets my hand away from the heat primarily but also gets me away from "gripping" the gun tightly.   If the gun is my own for weeks at a time I have the trigger on top and press with my pointer or my thumb.  Toughguns allow you to modify trigger and neck postion.   In my experience the people that grip things too hard have the greatest problem with repetitive injuries.  I rarely grip things tightly even if it is a grinder, letting it float on the work.   The important thing is to change around regularly so that you use different positions.
Reply:That is absolutely true. That is my WORST habit i have trying to break myself of for the last 4 or so years...very hard habit to break....I constantly have to keep my self in check about gripping the gun or stinger to hard at first, I think my mind is telling me gripping it harder means better control, and sometime in out of position welds, it helps. That is the reason i think I suffer from tennis elbow and carpual tunnel.
Reply:Thanks for the quick reply. I guess just perks of the trade. Really its just in the morning that it bothers me the most. If I sleep with my hand closed when I try to open it, my two fingers pop open and if I sleep with them open then I can't  close my hand. At work they you heavy duty profax handles and i 've noticed I have a death grip on it sometimes. That's only because the gloves they provide us with are like stick gloves since we use spray arc. I been thinking about trying to weld left handed while my right has sometime to recoup.
Reply:Is using trigger lock an option? I use it whenever I can.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:I wish. It's an old shop and nothing works the way it should. Only one machine in the whole shop as it.
Reply:Soak it in cider.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Try tylenol to see if it helps.  If that doesn't then try moltrin, and keep tryng over the counter meds to see if they can give you any relief.  I have learned that certain pains will require different meds to halp releave them.  Sorry to hear this.
Reply:Its sad, i have gone to bed many a night with wrist braces on both wrist and an elbow brace on one arm. my hands goes numb pretty much every night and mine are the same, they are like that in the mourning, but after about a hour or two of work, they regain there function .. the other thing I have used is epson salt, get the water about as hot as you can take it and soak them for about 15 minutes, you can sometimes fell the swelling get sucked out of them instantly
Reply:Is it normal to form so fast. I know there would be health issues when entering this field but I didn't  think the on set of any thing would be so sudden.
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaSoak it in cider.
Reply:mine literally started about a week or 2 after i started my job, they have come and gone. First it was my thumb from grinding, then it went away and it just kinda depends on the week what will hurt. Some weeks, my elbow KILLS me, then it will be ok and it will be my hand killing me. Its something i have to treat and act like the guys did way back in the day, the kinda iron workers that built this country, you know they had the same problems but they never complained out loud and just kept on going. So i try to model myself after the guys they don't make anymore
Reply:I am going to call BS on all the nonsense regarding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  I have been suffering from it for over 25 years to the point where I have severe nerve entrapment and nerve damage and just underwent Carpal Release Surgery on both hands (Where the Carpal Tunnel actually IS) in June and September of 2011 to correct the situation.I will say that from experience if you are a sufferer from TRUE Carpal Tunnel Syndrome that NOTHING will "make it better" or do much to alleviate the symptoms.  I have been treated by medical doctors, chiropractors and nature paths for over 2 decades and there attempts were negligable at best.  If topical creams, epsom salts or a good soak "Help" you then you probably have some form of tendonitis or muscle strain and that is a different matter altogether - You can change things to alleviate the situation.  My pain started out of the blue one day when I was reading a newspaper.  It would come and go all day and all night long, whether I was working or not.  Whether I was a Mechanic, Truck Driver, or a Welder.  Whether I was working in extreme conditions or on vacation for 3 weeks.  There is truly nothing that you can do to "fix it" short of corrective surgery.I had issues with the thumb of my right hand and was diagnosed with the early stages of Arthritis and started to take medication for it but then after I had my Carpal Release Surgery and my hands healed, the pain in my thumb went away because I wasn't over-using it by gripping the grinder so tightly to keep control of it.  I haven't taken Arthritis medication since June of '11 and my thumb hasn't hurt once since.Sorry - Rant over.To the OP I would say to relax your grip a substancial amount - You don't need to choke the life out of the gun handle to be able to run quality beads consistently.  As stated earlier try different positions and different fingers on the trigger.  If you are just learning, I would suggest developing the ability to use both hands which will give your ailing hand a much needed break. EDIT:  After re-reading the previous posts I see that you mentioned using your other hand so this advice is redundant but I will leave it here just the same.If you concentrate on relaxing yourself while you weld, you will notice that any number of muscle related ailments (Cramping, soreness etc) should disappear within a day or two.I personally use Tweco Compact Gold Eliminator guns with the swivel neck and extended trigger so I can change hand positioning to pretty much anything I want all day long - It works great in my application.  This particular one is supplied by the company but I have worked in other shops where I have purchased and supplied my own mig guns because I thought the company ones were "Junk"  It is always an option for you, but I would suggest that you ASK first to make sure you are allowed.Have a Good DayLast edited by Black Wolf; 02-11-2012 at 10:46 PM.Later,Jason
Reply:@nick_31 my grandfather is one of those guys. He goes to work everyday with two bum knees(he has since got the replaced and you cant hold him down if you tried) got up everyday at 3 to be at work by 4 and worked 12 to 15 hrs everyday. When he got home he didn't say **** but eat, read the newspaper and go to bed. I haven't said anything either because i know if i tell my wife i'll never hear the end of it. I know i don't have CTS. Everything is at 100 %(except my middle and ring fingers) i am able to bench press like normal my wrist and elbow  and even palm feel great but if i but pressure on the base of those two fingers it feels like there bruised.  I keep my elbow tucked in to my side when welding and use more of my should unless out of position(most of are welding is in the 2 f and g positions.  I never even thought of taking and kind of anti-inflammatory ( which i will try). The place I work at is like a work camp half the dudes there don't even have papers. I am still in school to get my welding cert's. and i know i would need some type of work experience. they have old machine which are all rigged to work and give out cheap supplies. I asked if i could use my own mig gloves and hood and got some resistance for that.
Reply:Originally Posted by daddyBrand is important. I like my Dickens cider.
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaWasn't sure if anybody caught that.
Reply:Well then let me clarify.  What most of us have is actually not CTS, it is just the muscles getting inflamed and swollen around the nerve path way and puts pressure on the never causing numbness. Tennis elbow is the same thing, the muscles in the fore arm starts expanding outside the normal boundaries from gripping things to hard and starts putting stress on the tendons causing pain, when you put a wrap on your fore arm it keeps the muscles in check. That is why, for most of us, simple remedies usually alleviate some of the symptoms associated with pre-CTS. I have personal found that if i simply change stance, technique, and position, it will help them go away
Reply:You might try two different sets of gloves. A tig glove for the trigger hand and a stick gun for the support hand.  The trigger hand rarely gets hot and the support hand gets so hot I swap gloves and keep on welding.  The tig glove is super flexable and will take care of a lot of your hand problems not having to bend such heavy leather all the time. I'm left handed and so I wear out the right hand of a set of gloves. Most gloves are for right handed people as the left hand is sometimes better insulated than the right hand.  AirGas sells some left handed gloves that are the ones that a right handed person wears out instead of the stinger glove that lets you save on buying two gloves when only one is worn out/burned up.
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaWasn't sure if anybody caught that.
Reply:somehow reminds me of the imus show when he had wilford brimley stuffing the turkey..i guess you gotta wash it down with something..
Reply:Switch to a thinner glove on the bad hand, see if you can try a pistol grip gun, it might change the angle and position enough to let you relax your hand a bit. I have similar problems if I wear thick gloves while doing anything involving a strong grip, thinner gloves help a lot. Take an anti-inflamatory and try alternating between icing and heat to help things loosen up.
Reply:The shop I work changed to a Tweeco gun that has a square grip profile a few years ago. They had been using a gun with a smaller round grip. The different shape helped alot of my hand, finger, arm numbness aches and pains. Another thing I did was modifiy my grip. I use my middle finger as my trigger finger gripping above the trigger with my pointer and I keep my thumb in more of a "thumbs up" position on the gun rather than wrapped around the grip. This I use on the smaller round gripped guns. With the square grip I use my pointer on the trigger put try to keep the "thumbs up" with my thumb.Also a good chiropractor can work wonders. The one I use is also a kineseologist(sp?) and gave me alot of pointers about how to help all the muscle groups work together rather than against one another.Last edited by MrLeadMan; 02-14-2012 at 08:26 PM.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:Id like to add a note from a different point of view. Aside from what the others said, braces,  changing positions etc you can supplement your diet. With all the repetitive movements you're damaging the tendons quicker than your body can repair. Try taking a multivitamin and eating more vegetables.  It won't cure it over night but in the long run it will help. Also strengthening the hand with regular exercises is a good idea. GoodluckSent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Reply:thanks for all the suggestions and sorry for the delayed response.Between being a full time student and working 50 + hours and husband and dad I don't seem to get to do much of anything. I tried almost everything suggested and my hand has since stopped hurting . So i used the anti-inflammatory to help relief  the pain when i had a whole weekend off. So first thing monday morning as soon has i pulled the trigger i would release my bottom three fingers from the handle. I also started to use my left hand to hold the trigger when possible. I did buy a thinner glove it got burnt up hella fast and i figured  since the ones they give are free i should learn to use want was given and not bitch about. So thanks once again.Have you ever heard of trigger finger? There are bones and tendons in your wrist that directly affect your finger's muscles and nerve endings. Just head to your local medical supply store and they can help you find what you need.
Reply:Over 20 years at a computer keyboard.....These symptoms can be brought on more quickly and made worse by swelling in the wrist and hand.  Change positions frequently, even very quick breaks to flex the hand and fingers and make them do something different can help (I am talking about 30 seconds every 5-10 minutes).When you know you will spend a lot of time doing something repetitive you can take a low dose of an anti-inflamatory like aspirin or ibuprofen BEFORE you start work.  The important thing here is to use the drugs sparingly - they can cause other problems if you use them too frequently.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:I'm just curious if any one has tried rubbing olive oil on their hand before bed to help with pain? My wife swears by it for her knees.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Use a thinner glove on that hand, loosen your grip, and learn to switch hands. It really comes in "handy" to be able to weld with either hand. Oh and sleep with that hand flat under the pillow.Most important hang in there your muscles will get accustomed to the work.Hickory