HikeArizona.COM

A few weeks ago, while making a short training hike (with a 25 lb backpack), my trekking poles were apparently set too low.

After my hike, both of my index fingers hurt. At the middle knuckle.

I looked at my index fingers and they were both curved 'down.' (Curved at the tips toward the rest of my fingers.)

I could grab them and kind of crack them back straight a bit.

Frankly, I don't know if my index fingers were curved before or not. (I mean, who looks at their index fingers?)

After the offending hike, I adjusted my poles taller, and, for a couple hikes afterward, I hiked with my index fingers extended.

The pain is 99% gone. But my index fingers still have a little curved to them, with a larger gap on my right hand. (As if I had arthritis? But I don't.)

So I'm wondering if anyone knows of permanent deformities caused by backpacking? (Aside from obvious major injuries caused by falls, etc.) Even if you're backpacking correctly.

For example, now that I had this problem with my fingers, I've started looking at my toes. One big toe seems curved toward its brother toes. But since I don't have any pictures of my toes, I don't know if this is a recent change or not.

mental ones

No.

Also, you might want to fix that typo in your second sentence/paragraph.

Besides the obvious mental illness that all hikers have, I would consider dry, wrinkly, weathered skin (sunburn and cancer possible, too) as a deformity caused by backpacking. At least in Arizona. Like most everything though, there are mitigation strategies we can employ to limit the risk of most adverse effects. I usually start by not overthinking.

@LindaAnn
Tnx. Fixed.

I ran it thru spell check, but somehow missed it.

If you've developed curved fingers, it isn't from using hiking poles now and again. If you've developed curved toes, it's likely your footwear as opposed to an activity. While there are likely issues that are caused by hiking / backpacking, I have not heard of any permanent or irreparable damage coming of it, not even to a professional.

As another old guy that's possibly trigger finger. I have it, yet haven't dealt with it yet.
https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/trigger-finger

@chumley

chumley wrote: I usually start by not overthinking.

What about over drinking?

@Pivo
Interesting. In my case, the curve was slight and it was sideways. (As opposed to curling under.) Still, it seems that straining on the top of my then-too short poles caused swelling.

Splinting sounds like something simple and easy to try.

trekkin_gecko wrote: ↑Apr 04 2023 2:40 pm mental ones

There's a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
-Dave Berry

TooOld2HikeQ wrote: ↑Apr 04 2023 5:27 pmIn my case, the curve was slight and it was sideways

losdos suggests a 7-degree curve might be Peyronie's disease.

I've experienced a torn meniscus in each knee, one while backpacking, the other while dayhiking. They probably would have happened at some point regardless of what I was doing. All my other injuries worth mention arose from distance running.

On the more serious side ill fitting boots/ shoes can cause loss of toenails after long downhills. Several of mine grew back thick and I have to trim them with scissors rather than clippers. Trauma in the form of falls--- I dislocated one shoulder which has healed but I partially tore the RC on the other so now I have a lovely dip in my lateral deltoid on that side. That said I lift weights and both arms seem strong enough. Some scars from deeper lacerations. Nothing that is a game changer to keep one from keeping on.

@big_load
Yeah, when I backpack I can feel a twinge in my left knee (where I have a congenital 'defect'). I wear a knee brace (which I'm beginning to outgrow now that my calf is toning up).

After a day of backpacking, I have to move the brace to my right knee. It doesn't twinge. But it feels tired.

I am private pay and I could not afford knee replacement surgery. (Let alone any knee surgery.)

For what it's worth...

Both my index fingers have a slight curve and twist towards their respective "pinkies". I've been a touch-typist since 8th grade, and a programmer since I was 22. LOTS of typing. Relatively little hiking.

From what I understand, the height on your hiking poles should be set so your elbow is at a 90 degree angle. Of course, I've been wrong before. YMMV.

My wallet is quite a bit thinner and lighter from silly gear purchases, like the never-used $250 Garmin inreach mini I just found in a box in the garage.

After I learn to cross country ski I started using my hiking poles in a similar manner. I barely even grasp the handle. The straps go over the tops of my hands. As shown in the video, I often am just holding the pole between my thumb and forefinger. The weight of my hand is laying in the strap. This has worked well for me over the years. I have noticed my hands get less stressed and tired.

There is a downside to it, however. In really rocky terrain you may not want your hand strapped to the pole because if you fall you could break your wrist, because your hand stays inside of the strap. But I generally do use this system. There may be other videos that show it better than this one. So you could do a search.

[ youtube video ]

nonot wrote:There's a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
-Dave Berry

Why does that sound so familiar?

RedRoxx44 wrote:On the more serious side ill fitting boots/ shoes can cause loss of toenails after long downhills.

I will never forget my Black Friday 2007 hike (Soldier Camp Trail #83) with @DarthStiller (thanks, Chris! ) after which I lost all 10 toenails after my first hike with a new pair Merrell Chameleon boots...
In reality it had very little to do with the boots but everything to do with the ridiculous elastic laces which allowed far too much forward movement on downhills, and this hike definitely had that in spades.

RedRoxx44 wrote:Several of mine grew back thick and I have to trim them with scissors rather than clippers.

Same here... except for both big toes, which have 1/2" thick nails and requires the use of my Dremel die grinder.

garyc57 wrote:From what I understand, the height on your hiking poles should be set so your elbow is at a 90 degree angle.

I take it you mean when standing on a flat level surface?
I have no idea if mine are like that under those conditions, but since so many of my hikes are well off-trail I do know I change the length of my poles A LOT during hikes, shortening them for steep uphill climbs (making use of my arms to help pull me up) and lengthening them for the downhills, usually a change of 100 mm, which has worked out great so far.

@garyc57
My piano teacher (when I was a kid) had fingertips that looked like a gecko's.

A dentist I met last week is having his other shoulder joint replaced this week. Said that he did too much (heavy) weight lifting when he was in his 40's.