Need help with finger injury

Dan,
I had a pulley problem two years ago, and it sucked! Mine also hurt when direct pressure was applied, but it also hurt when crimping. It there are no climbing grips that cause pain, it may be that there's no tendon or pulley damage at all, but rather just inflammation. You can try the usual stuff: anti inflammatories, warm water finger baths and massage (to promote circulation in the region of the injury), and tape for a little extra support when climbing (but be careful not to wrap too tightly, and make sure the tape's not masking any pain that would otherwise be a good indicator to let off). The reality is, though, that fingers can take a long time to heal, and there's not a lot we can do to help them. There's sadly no snake oil or magic treatment that does the trick. The main thing is to not exacerbate the injury. The doctor I saw, who was a hand specialist, basically said to let pain be your indicator. If climbing doesn't cause pain in the finger, it's probably ok to keep climbing. If it does, change something (easier grade, different holds, etc.). On the bright side, when my ring finger was injured for a long time, it forced me to get creative in order to work around it, and I think I started climbing more smoothly. I thought about sawing off half an index finger so I could free El Cap twice in a day, but couldn't bring myself to do it :). Good luck!

The other thing you can do is tape it to your ring finger. It will limit some movements and grips, but it will disperse the strain on both fingers. tape it in two places.

good work no2camalot, lots of good information.
i wonder about this specific injury that Dan has described. has injury been done to the tendon itself? or simply to a pulley?
without pain while crimping, which puts a great deal of pressure on the pulleys, im guessing that the pulleys themselves are fine. ive experienced both the injury that dan describes, and the damage that no2camalot describes, and feel that there is a distinct difference.
any doctors or pts (or knowledgable climbers) want to weigh in?

I'm in the same situation. WIth both my middle fingers. I tape them, although i have been told that the only way to fix them totally is to take a break. A long break.

and what is it if direct pressure doest hurt and bending dosnt hurt but crimping and pushing the joint from side to side does

bruised bone maybe?

cool, as long as im not overworking a tendon or anything thats going to put me out of commision for a while

Dan, I hav exactly the same prob. Its flippin sore. Any lateral movement of the joint of middle finger or any pressure on affected joint. It clicks really easily too (not deliberately). Its driving me bonkers. Dont want to make it worse so avoiding climbing. Taping hasnt really helped me, Cant believe how long it takes to recover. Good luck man!

Found this website by the way. Check it out. Im gonna give it a go. Must be worth a try I guess.