Noticed a severe weakness in my right hand when performing certain tasks last weekend - writing with a pen, pulling up weeds, holding a knife, using a toothbrush etc were all suddenly very difficult. Not painful, just difficult. I put it down to a slight strain but it's been getting progressively worse, so went to see the doctor yesterday. Seems I've got stenosing tenosynovitis, or 'trigger finger', inflammation of the tendon where my ring finger joins the palm. This was likely caused by the pressure and vibration of gripping a handlebar for an average of eighty off-road miles a week.
Having an x-ray later today and blood tests next week (to check for arthritis, diabetes etc I think) then will be off to see a hand specialist in mid-October. So, no more biking for me for quite a while. Bah! I've been wearing gloves with very little palm padding and can't help thinking that a good pair of gel gloves could have perhaps prevented all this.
