Injured Hand / Tendons When Younger

brettmillward4471

Good morning/day all.

I recently started to get into being healthy and fit. I signed up at a gym 1 month ago and I really enjoy it.
Fr me it's a few things I am trying to achieve:

1) Get off my backside and do something (for the last 15 yrs I have been stuck behind my PC, gaming, chatting, etc).
2) Get healthier and not be out of breath for simple tasks
3) Get toned so I can have that confidence of (if I want) taking my shirt off on a beach. I just want toned, not really muscular.
4) A better and more happy/confident mind(set)


I a 5ft 9, and weighed 12 stone exactly.

When I was younger about 14, I cut through the tendons in 3 fingers on my right hand.
I can't grip properly with it, or rather, I can for a short duration but after a while it becomes very weak and I need to rest it for some hours. So when using equipment in the gym (I mostly use the machines but it would be the exact same for anything I must grip) my right arm/hand struggles and then my left is picking up the slack. It's also usually my right arm that seems to hurt the days after, and not my left.

My left arm can lift more and keep going for longer but that right hand (fingers and the whole arm) just can't.
I am not sure if it's JUST my fingers causing this problem or, what I had never realized until I started the gym, my right shoulder drops/hangs much lower than my left. I have researched that and it suggests everywhere it's because I am right handed, use the mouse on a PC with it and not close to me... so it's my dominant arm/shoulder, and it can be fixed by doing some exercises using the resistance bands - which I have been doing every day at the gym.

It's always my right shoulder, arm and hand that hurts though. So I think maybe it could be a combination of both my affected tendons + shoulder posture causing the issue?

I am just looking for any possible advice, tips, or anything you can think of.
Surprisingly, I am really really enjoying the gym.

Thank you to anyone that reads this and especially if you reply with any ideas/thoughts.
Brett M

TavistockToad

You could see a physio to see if you can improve your grip?

noblsheep

Maybe get some wrist straps so your grip isn't so important for lifting stuff?

Maxxitt

noblsheep wrote: »

Maybe get some wrist straps so your grip isn't so important for lifting stuff?

^^^ I second this. Once you learn how to use them, you'll find them really helpful.

HoneyBadger302

As someone who's had to work around a number of injuries I'd suggest the following:

1) Set up a few appointments with a PT. They will help you with form, and may catch things you otherwise might miss. They can help give you ideas on how to correct the imbalance.

2) Do exercises that don't allow your left side to pick up the slack. Dumbbells are a great tool for this, and much better than the machines IMO, but form is going to be important, so see #1 above. Don't lift more than your right arm can do.

3) Give it time. If your post is accurate, those muscles have been sitting lazy most of your life. It is going to take them a LOOOOONG time to build up. Be patient, work progressively, and don't rush things - additional injuries won't help, either.