Sagittal Band Damage

Posted by SusanEllen66 @SusanEllen66, Sep 8, 2023

My doctor sent me for hand therapy because I severe carpal tunnel syndrome in both arms. I also have several fingers on my left hand (long and ring fingers) that snap and catch.

My therapy exercises were to make a fist over and over in different ways. After one week my fingers started moving sideways! The tendon over my knuckles (Sagittal Band) has become loose. It is rather painful.

I’ve made an appointment with a hand doctor but have to wait almost a month to see him.

Has anyone had their Sagittal Band rupture?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

I'd like to invite @gretchie who mentioned researching a sagittal band rupture as a potential culprit to a med they were on.

@SusanEllen66 - when you say your finger started moving sideways, does that mean it feels and looks like it slipping out of its normal position? Is it only when you are trying to make your fist?

REPLY

RE: "Has anyone had their Sagittal Band rupture?"
Yes, Susan Ellen, I was diagnosed with, in his words, "Radial Sagittal Band Rupture with dislocation of Extensor Tendon" by a hand surgeon May 24. When it was first, say, "developing", I could "see" (under the skin) the extensor tendon slipping off the top of the knuckle down into the "valley" between the, in my case, ring and small fingers.

Oddly I can only figure it may have happened as a result of normal age degeneration – I'm 80 – coupled with my being, for a year now, on a immunosuppressive drug (tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody designed to impair an immune system inflammation response) and my daily washing a tall, thin ceramic mug (which involves stretching my fist into a kind of arc that'll fit deep into the bottom of the mug).

This may not be a helpful 'comment' w.r.t. your situation. CTS isn't something I've had to deal with and it sounds difficult to handle! There's some interesting basic information here: https://plasticsurgerykey.com/sagittal-band-injuries-primary-and-secondary-management/

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@JustinMcClanahan

I'd like to invite @gretchie who mentioned researching a sagittal band rupture as a potential culprit to a med they were on.

@SusanEllen66 - when you say your finger started moving sideways, does that mean it feels and looks like it slipping out of its normal position? Is it only when you are trying to make your fist?

Jump to this post

@JustinMcClanahan my ring finger, pinky, and large fingers snap together sideways. All I have to do now is attempt pick up something small. When I try to raise my fingers up, the ring finger immediately goes sideways towards pinky and then flings itself over to my long finger.

If it didn’t hurt, it could be a circus act! lol

My fingers are also in the swan position. I’m seeing my rheumatologist tomorrow. The swan usually indicates Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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@gretchie

RE: "Has anyone had their Sagittal Band rupture?"
Yes, Susan Ellen, I was diagnosed with, in his words, "Radial Sagittal Band Rupture with dislocation of Extensor Tendon" by a hand surgeon May 24. When it was first, say, "developing", I could "see" (under the skin) the extensor tendon slipping off the top of the knuckle down into the "valley" between the, in my case, ring and small fingers.

Oddly I can only figure it may have happened as a result of normal age degeneration – I'm 80 – coupled with my being, for a year now, on a immunosuppressive drug (tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody designed to impair an immune system inflammation response) and my daily washing a tall, thin ceramic mug (which involves stretching my fist into a kind of arc that'll fit deep into the bottom of the mug).

This may not be a helpful 'comment' w.r.t. your situation. CTS isn't something I've had to deal with and it sounds difficult to handle! There's some interesting basic information here: https://plasticsurgerykey.com/sagittal-band-injuries-primary-and-secondary-management/

Jump to this post

@gretchie hi thanks for your reply.
My fingers went into the “swan” position a few weeks before the Sagittal Band event.
The swan usually happens with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I’m being tested for several more autoimmune diseases.
I already have osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, occipital neuralgia, polyneuropathy, and Vasculitis.

I’m going to be 74 next month. How did that happen?!
I just bought a pair of ripped jeans 😂

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@SusanEllen66

@gretchie hi thanks for your reply.
My fingers went into the “swan” position a few weeks before the Sagittal Band event.
The swan usually happens with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I’m being tested for several more autoimmune diseases.
I already have osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, occipital neuralgia, polyneuropathy, and Vasculitis.

I’m going to be 74 next month. How did that happen?!
I just bought a pair of ripped jeans 😂

Jump to this post

Fun!? At age 80 I run around all day in daisy dukes and sleep in a pair at night. Go, ripped jeans. Awesome repertoire of maladies, Susan, Ellen – for a 74 year-old youngster. Honestly, my heart goes out to you. These body bags just don’t last forever – but clearly our spirits do! 😵‍💫💞

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@gretchie

Fun!? At age 80 I run around all day in daisy dukes and sleep in a pair at night. Go, ripped jeans. Awesome repertoire of maladies, Susan, Ellen – for a 74 year-old youngster. Honestly, my heart goes out to you. These body bags just don’t last forever – but clearly our spirits do! 😵‍💫💞

Jump to this post

@gretchie body bags! Yes, they are very temporary.

I remember Daisy Dukes! I no longer have the legs for them, but I celebrate you for being able to pull it off! 😉

REPLY
@JustinMcClanahan

I'd like to invite @gretchie who mentioned researching a sagittal band rupture as a potential culprit to a med they were on.

@SusanEllen66 - when you say your finger started moving sideways, does that mean it feels and looks like it slipping out of its normal position? Is it only when you are trying to make your fist?

Jump to this post

@JustinMcClanahan I saw a hand surgeon this week. At first he couldn’t see the problem with my fingers. I was thinking that I must be crazy. Finally, he saw how my middle and ring fingers would slip to the side when I make a fist.
He gave me 3 choices: do nothing, wear a custom made (yoke) brace for 5 weeks, or surgery.
I chose the brace. Next week I’m going to be fitted.
If I need surgery, I don’t care. I’ve had enough already so one more is no problem.

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Follow up…I’m having surgery in 2 days. The Sagittal Band never improved so surgery is a must.

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