About 2 years ago I managed to break a small bone in my right hand and just recently fractured my ring finger on the same hand - talk about a rough bastard!!
My question is - am I likely to experience pain later on in life when using heavy recoiling rifles as a result of these injuries?
Cheers.
GG

GG375,
Which bone in your right hand was broken 2 years ago? A navicular/scaphoid fracture at the base of the thumb, in the wrist, underlying the anatomic snuffbox would be the worst potential offender.

I can't see a ring finger fracture being much of a problem if this is your trigger hand.

Of course fractures through joint surfaces or any residual deformity could be a setup for arthritis, osteoarthritis, from wear and tear as you age or abuse yourself.

I certainly wouldn't let it let it stop me from shooting until it crippled me. That is totally unlikely from a ring finger perspective, but you don't say what other bone, or what part of the ring finger is involved.

Old Arthur Itis is one of the biggest nuisances of the Itis family. Bad bunch, that Itis clan.

GG375, have no fear. I have broken both left and right "snuff boxes" plus six fingers, and no smart comments about were they on the same hand. I played football and rugby in college (that was 15 years ago) and have taken my fair share of lumps since. Three knee surgeries and a shoulder surgery later and I am still hunting, fishing and shooting like there is no tomorrow. Some mornings it takes a little longer to get warmed up but your hands shouldn't give you problems if you have had proper medical care.

DaggaRon
The bone I broke 2 years ago was the one between the wrist and knockle of the little finger. That break was basically straight across the bone with no joints affected. The recent one appears to be a logitudinal fracture from the knuckle to the first joint as a result of a twisting type injury (electric drill).
Thanks for any further info.
GG

Ok GG, who or what did you punch two years ago? You describe a 'boxer' fracture!

Both fractures sound like they are in the hand (metacarpal) or finger (phalanx) bones. Fractures that tend to become problematic as far as arthritis, pain, osteonecrosis (where the bone loses it's blood supply due to injury, and is basically re-absorbed) are typically in the wrist.

Assuming these are just simple fractures(i.e. healing with proper alignment, and not involving any joint surfaces), you would expect few if any long term problems.

Be well,
Todd

GG375,
I've broken that bone too and most fingers playing rugby. The 3 years ago I broke nearly every bone in my hand after my hand was crushed in a freight elevator.
Calcification around the breaks made it stiff for a long time and it took nearly 18 months to get back to full strength (I couldn't open a beer bottle cap with that hand )
All OK now but a bit arthritic in the mornings and I'm only 27! hasn't stopped my shooting or bike riding etc...

GG375,
It does sound like a boxer's fracture of the fifth metacarpal and probably a spiral fracture of the shaft of the fourth proximal phalanx. I assume you didn't require surgery or have any hardware installed and the boxer's fracture healed without any significant deformity. You should be fine for waltzing with 'Tilda, your gorgeous pet. Some of the other blokes have had much worse and are "no worries," or grinning and bearing it. Good points made by the mates above. Now, break a leg.

Guys
Thanks one and all. I'll do as you all suggest and grab 'Tilda and go out for a shot - tomorrow in fact!
Take care.
GG