Carpal Tunnel?!

[Troutastic]

This year I've fished exponentially more than any other year of my life. I have probably close to 75 days on the water this year. This spring I began noticing a pain in my right hand after a long day of fishing... i.e. knot-tying, tying on flies, etc. It gets pretty sore after a full day of fishing. The pain is pretty much isolated to just below the knuckles between my pointer and middle finger. This is why I attribute it to fly fishing, because I exclusively use these digits and my thumb for tying knots and whatnot on the river. Is this carpal tunnel, or the beginning signs of it? I'm only 24, but I heard that you can pretty much get it at any age...

Fished for 13 hours yesterday, and as I type thing I make a fist with that hand and I'm still feeling the pain there... ???

[AaronJasper]

Oh yeah.. I have that two. It's good or bad depending on how you look at it. The only way to spot it would be to cease fishing.... Not happening or me

[Mildred]

ouch... can't say I've experienced that, though I'm usually only out for a few hours at a time... and never more than 2 days at a time...

[Esopus Guy]

Carpal Tunnel is excess muscle in your wrists that press on nerves ect. I'm certain. Maybe you guys have a touch of Arthritis

[DrBob]

It is probably an overuse syndrome of the wrist extensor and/or flexor muscles. True carpal tunnel syndrome has different symptoms. Prolonged casting will do it. I used to treat a lot of saltwater flyfisherman for various recreationally induced injuries. Fast action rods will increase the likelihood of injury.

[Troutastic]

Thanks Dr Bob! Any chance that it could be tendonitis?

[Walshmiko]

Troutastic I feel your pain, Im only 29 And I feel like Im falling to peices... I Can't get a full day of fishing in without my neck acting up.. It really sucks getting old and Beleive it or not Aarons theory of not stopping so the pain doesnt set in works.. I see all these old men fishing and I wonder to myself how they do it...

[Magnet]

Tommy,
Life is full of pain. It can wear a person down and even consume us if we let it. I think a lot of guys your age are aware finally that your body is no longer that of a kid. Its a transition of sorts. You know how ambidextrious AJ is when he is fishing. I have never heard him complain but some of that technique adjustment has got to be a physically protective response to the repetative nature of the dead drift. Especially for someone who fishes several times a week. In his new DVD he stresses and explains the proper body mechanics necessary for Euro nymphing. This is often neglected by most of us but is necessary for an angler who fishes regularly.

[frankm205]

I'd love to just have some wrist pain! Wait till the knees , back , and shoulders kick in Just keep chuggin!

[Walshmiko]

Oh my god it gets worse? HAHa.. It seems when I fight for balance wading pocket water it tends to get worse.. Im talking neck/jaw/head/face....but I just push through and try my best to have a good time..