Author Topic: bowling without middle finger (temporarily) (Read 13473 times)

Neptune66 · « **on:** January 23, 2009, 04:05:47 AM »

I have a minor infection on my middle finger next to the nail and it's very tender.
Thought I would still be able to bowl with minimal pain as it's on side of the finger that does not lift the ball, but it hurts when releasing the ball. I don't use inserts, so last night, I bowled the last two games with only my thumb and ring finger in the ball.

I was actually reasonably accurate, but it I'm a speed dominant player as it is (not many revs) and leaving the middle finger out of the ball really flattened out the reaction....in a bad way. Was like throwing plastic. Was in or near the pocket ---when I could get some movement out of the ball--- but it was hitting very flat and leaving all sorts of 4's and 8's (am right-handed) and splits.

Maybe by tomorrow I'll be able to use my finger, but in case not, I was wondering if anyone here has ever tried bowling with just one finger and the thumb, and/or if there's some way to get more revs on the ball despite the literal lack of fingers.

?

Neptune66 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2009, 08:57:10 AM »

Not sure I understand about the super glue remedy. Maybe works like Nu-Skin or Skin Protector, but a tougher layer of protection?

But this wasn't as much a skin issue as pus (or whatever you'd call it) under the skin. Was the pressure that was causing the pain. I've bowled with bleeding fingers and thumb and even bowled pretty darn good too. This pain, for some reason, I found much more distracting, and threw me completely off my game.

Anyway....it's still tender today, but nowhere near as bad as it was Thursday night.

Edited on 1/24/2009 10:01 AM

nd300 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2009, 02:34:47 PM »

Fingers and toes are very "blood rich" because of the huge amount of nerve endings located there for use in sensing things. Be careful of boweling while infected.The extra stress you put on the fingers can possibly cause the infection to get into the protective sheath around the tendons that the fingers use for function.That could be very problematic.
Watch for red streaks traveling down your finger and redness extending past the immediate area that's already infected.That's the sign that the infection has gotten into said sheath.
That calls for an immediate trip to the doctor for treatment.Be careful,please.While it's good to keep using it,you could cause permanent damage.
The alcohol or salt water can help get rid of the infection.Epsom salts (available at any drug store)are another good agent to use with the hot water.
--------------------
Chris
JTTDB---Just Throw The Damn Ball
Don't "think"---that ball isn't in your bag yet..........

Neptune66 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2009, 07:56:46 AM »

Ummm...actually that's what I see today.

It's red and shiny from the cuticle about halfway to the joint.

I'm not bowling again till tuesday, and just going to soak it as much as possible. Would taking advil round the clock help at all?

Edited on 1/25/2009 8:57 AM

Neptune66 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2009, 08:20:44 AM »

Actually----- not to alarm anyone (including myself!!!) it's not a bright or deep red color. More pinkish red, which I've always thought was a good sign. But it is extending a little farther back from the nail/cuticle than it was the day before.

The degree of swelling and pain have lessened, though. It's just that the overall area affected has expanded some.

leftyinsnellville · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2009, 08:43:56 AM »

Soaking in alcohol or saltwater is fine, thouugh it usually stings like a motherhumper...especially the alcohol. Don't use hydrogen peroxide on anything but a new wound...it eats healing skin away and it'll take longer to heal.

I used superglue on a freshly smashed ring finger to glue a flap of skin back down and bowled fine. It also stings like heck when applied, but really holds up well. Right after applying the glue you might try patting it with some easy-slide. It will have a very smooth overall texture that lessens friction a little on release so it won't be quite as painful.
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ILBT!

( o )( o )

nd300 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2009, 09:00:52 AM »

Neptune,
If it's increased "some",I'd respectfully suggest a trip to a walk-in clinic just to make sure there's nothing going on that would warrant the doctor having to lance the area,drain the pus,and you end up missing work depending on how much manual dexterity you need in your line of work.
Better safe than sorry when it comes to something like that. I'm a former 20 plus year EMT and E.R. staff worker.To keep it short and simple,I got burned out after that long at it,which is why I'm not doing that anymore.
--------------------
Chris
JTTDB---Just Throw The Damn Ball
Don't "think"---that ball isn't in your bag yet..........

1MechEng · « **Reply #22 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:38:30 AM »

I have really dry skin, and I get infections along the side of the nail occasionally. I will take a sterilized needle and push it into the infected area. (It hurts a bit, but the benefit is worth it!). I push out the pus, then slather a band aid with triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or similar) and apply to the affected area.
Keep it covered for a day or two like this. You will heal quickly.
Hope this helps!
--------------------
======================
Dan
======================
Engineering * Bowling = a fun and practical application of rotational kinematics.

Bowling Nerd Herd (TM) Member

Neptune66 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:59:22 AM »

Going to give it till tomorrow before involving doctors.

As for puncturing with a needle. I have done that sometimes in the past, with some success, but usually more tempted to break the skin with a needle when the area with the pus is more pronounced. In those cases, the motivation and expectation of seeing the pus released (and the pressure and pain along with it) is stronger than my reluctance to feel the pain of the pin.

At this point, I think I waited too long maybe. Thursday, the inflamed area was much worse, but also easier to isolate. Today, though, it's diminished and spread out some and it's actually less obvious where to poke it. So, would take a pretty strong penetration with pin (I think) to open it up.

I think i'll wait and see what it looks like tomorrow .... after more soaking today... and then decide what to do.

Course...part of the reason I dont soak it as much as I should is cause I am always bowling or typing at a keyboard.

Regardless... I do appreciate the suggestions and am listening. Just undecided at the moment.

echidapus · « **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2009, 12:53:20 PM »

cut it off and become a lefty

Neptune66 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2009, 09:41:58 PM »

I know you're mainly kidding, but actually I have experimented with throwing lefty. Mostly in the summertime, when it's much easier to get a lane, I practice bowling lefty with a 14 lb ball I had drilled special for that hand (I use mostly 16's and a few 15's righty).

The idea was/is to some day be competitive enough to bowl lefty occasionally to give my right arm a rest, or in an "emergency" situation. Unfortunately, though improving, I'm only averaging around 100-110 so far (vs 200 right-handed).

Anyway... my middle finger is 90% healed tonight (just a tad of pinkish/shiny inflamed area, and virtually no pain --- feels like a light bruise). So...am fairly confident I'll be able to bowl with normal delivery Tuesday night.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 29, 2009, 11:01:04 PM »

Just updating. Infection subsided enough so I was able to bowl with minimal pain Tuesday night.

Unfortunately, after struggling the 1st game (still anticipating strong pain) and improving and throwing a reasonably good game in the 2nd game, the wheels came off in the 3rd one. Good news was it had more to do with having lost my confidence that I could throw with normal speed and revs (for me) than any actual physical limitation.

Wednesday night I was just bad. Maybe a little hesitation to let it fly, but mostly just bad bowling. Then tonight came around and I finally was delivering as solid a shot as I have since 2009 began.

So.... until the next injury...I'm good.

Down the line, I'm still going to do some experimentation (during practice---not league) without the middle finger in the ball, so I'm ready for next time----if there is one--- and I'll also have a way of dampening the ball's reaction on purpose, if I find myself on dry lanes and don't want to switch balls.

Anyway...thanks to everyone for their input a few days ago.

Edited on 1/30/2009 0:02 AM

Nbgiant25 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 30, 2009, 06:17:18 AM »

quote:
Your middle finger is creates the rotation, so i'm surprised you weren't throwing a knuckle ball down the lane. Just take a week or two off and let your finger heal.
--------------------
My Vid

www.Columbia300.com
Columbia bowls the world over

I'll concur with this recommendation. I just found out last night that I have a severe compound sprain in my bowling thumb, which probably wasn't helped by the fact that I tried to bowl the last couple of days on it. Unfortunately, I have to miss our collegiate conference championship tournament because of it, but I'm taking the time off for it to heal fully so that I can return for the Hoosier in 3 weeks. Just relax for a bit so that you can come back and fully enjoy bowling when you are healed.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 30, 2009, 07:47:04 AM »

Converted all but two of my bowling balls to no-inserts about a year and a half ago. Hopefully, the finger problem is behind me, but if I need to, I can use one of the balls with the inserts (a Storm El-Nino X-it and a Brunswick Black Diamond).

isner baby · « **Reply #29 on:** January 30, 2009, 09:54:57 PM »

i actually was practicing the other night and i ripped the skin off the side of my middle finger in the first frame of my game. so i bowled the rest of the game without my middle finger and i actually liked it.. i bowl the ball kinda funny like my release is off and i can feel it.. sometimes it feels good but once i started bowling without my middle finger in it felt good on my release and i actually didnt bowl horrible for it being my first time bowling like that.. i bowled a 212.. left after that

Neptune66 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 01, 2009, 03:50:15 PM »

None of the balls I used had any additional holes in them.

So... I was ok? (as it turned out, my scores were terrible and we lost the games anyway, but still curious.)

Author Topic: bowling without middle finger (temporarily) (Read 13473 times)

Neptune66

bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Neptune66

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

nd300

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Neptune66

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Neptune66

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leftyinsnellville

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nd300

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1MechEng

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Neptune66

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echidapus

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Neptune66

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Neptune66

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Nbgiant25

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Neptune66

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isner baby

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Neptune66

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