Lump and mild pain at PIP joint on ring finger

[iclimb2improve]

Hey all!

I am currently in the middle of my strength phase, and yesterday I did an optional base fitness day that was probably more difficult than it should have been (I jumped on a couple of low 11s with tweakier holds than I had thought). I have had some soreness and slight stiffness in the finger over the last few months intermittently, but only for a day or two and it never really seemed to bother my climbing (since it would be symptom-less by the day I would go back to training). However, today is different, since not only does the finger feel sore when bending and extending it, but there is a hard physical bump on the exterior of the PIP joint. Applying pressure to the lump causing a sharp pain to that part of the finger. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has had experience with this kind of injury and how I should deal with the injury.

I would like to continue training, but also do not want to risk aggravating the injury and potentially making it worse. I have four more HB workouts scheduled for this season with no trips planned (just planned on going to a couple of local crags after the school year ended), so I'm not sure I should resume the current season, take a couple of days off and resume the current season, or take a couple of days off and start a new season. Also since it is a minor finger injury is it inappropriate to do supplemental exercises like pull ups off a bar?

I appreciate the help!

Edit:
Also I should note that I did not start feeling pain or the lump until this morning. There was no indication that the finger was injured while climbing yesterday.

[scojo]

To answer the question on supplemental exercises. If doing the exercise doesn't aggravate the finger, it should be perfectly safe to keep doing them. If it does get aggravated, you might be able to find a way to remove the ring finger from the grip and just use your index and ring finger.

[iclimb2improve]

Thanks for the response scojo! I kind of figured I could have continued doing supplemental exercises if it didn't hurt, but I wanted a second opinion in case it was a scenario where it could worsen the injury.

Update: I woke up today with no pain in my ring finger, but the bump is still present (not present in any of my other fingers). Applying pressure to the bump does hurt slightly, but extending and bending the finger does not hurt. I did a little bit of research last night and there is possibility the bump could just be a cyst. I am going to slowly warm up tonight and carefully do a hangboard session to see how the finger reacts.

[jetjackson]

I have heard of people with pulley injuries getting lumps, so not uncommon, although I'm unsure what it is, could be scar tissue.

Sounds like you need to get a diagnosis from a doctor/hand speRCTMkicksAsst.

Read this thread over on 8a - www.8a.nu/?IncPage=https%3A//www.8a.nu/forum/ViewForumThread.aspx%3FObjectId%3D31942%26ObjectClass%3DCLS_ForumDr8a%26CountryCode%3DGLOBAL 

[jlarson]

Hmmm, I had a similar issue when I first started hangboarding about a year ago. I got lump the size and shape of a small ball bearing or BB pellet at the base of my ring finger. I was freaked that I did some pulley damage. After talking to a PA, it seemed like the most likely culprit was that it was a synovial cyst. Synovial fluid is like joint lube and every so often it can get encapsulated. This little structure takes the shape of a BB and it only hurts when you press on it.

Hesitating to type this next bit...

I massaged the shit out of it myself, ruptured the cyst and continued to massage the fluid out of the finger. Mild soreness for two days and then total recovery, no problems since.

Be careful man, self diagnosis can be a slippery slope.

[wellhung]

  I had one of these synovial cysts years ago, soon after I started doing 2 finger hangs, and my experience was similar to what jlarson said.  Mildly annoying for a while and then just went away completely.  No big deal. These are not uncommon amongst the general population, if I am to believe the internet, though I can't help but think it may have been brought about by hangboarding. Haven't had one since (either that, or the entirety of my tendons are so evenly swollen with these cysts that I can no longer tell the difference).

[iclimb2improve]

It turned out to be a cyst guys. I was massaging the bump a couple of days ago and I got a really warm sensation where the bump was. I felt the spot where the bump was after and it was gone.