I can’t touch my pinky finger to my thumb anymore, the common way of indicating a quantity of “3” or a sign language “W”. If I force it, the ring finger is almost curled closed while attempting this.
It’s not a big issue for me, I tend to show a three with the thumb and first two fingers and the ring finger & pinky folded down (a sign-language “3”).
Is this age & stiffness or is something out of whack?
-B
Yes.
How old are you?
Looking at the picture on Wikipedia, curling the pinky all the way to the base of the thumb looks a little contorted, but I can touch the tip of my thumb to the tips of all of my fingers with no effort.
Trying to touch the base of my thumb with the tip of my pinky results in some involuntary ring finger curling, but I can voluntarily straighten the ring finger again (using just the normal finger muscles, not cheating with my other hand).
I’d guess more “age” than “whack.”
How much computer work do you do? In the past, when I was having repetitive-strain problems in my forearms, touching thumb to pinky became difficult. Even now, though I can do it, there’s a sense of stiffness that comes from having a certain amount of scar tissue in my forearms.
Or maybe you’ve just evolved beyond opposable thumbs.
I’m 41 and I’m a professional system administrator. I pound a keyboard for hours per day and have for 18 years now.
FWIW, if I allow the other fingers to “idle”, I can just touch the tip of my thumb to my all fingers. It’s curling the pinky down and across while keeping the other fingers up that’s impossible. See the “W” picture for what I can’t do.
-B
Bingo. I think the answer is right there. Well, don’t pound so loudly that you lose your hearing – you’ll be in a heap of trouble. Kno hat I mean?
That little pinkie is overworked and underpaid. 
Ever since my carpal tunnel operation a decade ago I’ve been unable to touch my thumb to my pinkie. It was the operation, which cut the ligament, rather than the carpal tunnel itself that caused this. I have carpal tunnel symptoms in my left, unoperated upon, hand but can touch those two fingers just fine.
I’d say - as a non-doctor - that it’s a symptom of a real problem. See a non-non-doctor about it.
Yeah - I’m under regular care for other reasons right now and I’ll be hitting my doc up next month with a “While I’m here in your office” question.
A poll around my group shows that everybody can do the “W” sign except me. Strange.
My wife might’ve pegged it - a couple years ago I was prescribed medicine to combat gout - at that time I couldn’t bring my hands together in a mitten shape - swelling in the joints had spread my fingers. It was wierd and made it nearly impossible to type. I’d all but forgotten. She’s thinking it’s back again.
Hi all. I have come to a time in my life where I give in to minor obsessions. I have not been able to touch my pinky with my thumb since I was about 5 or 6 years old. It became an obsession since I was kicked out of the boy scouts for not being able to do the traditional salute. For over a half a decade I have searched for another like me with no result. Petty obsession you say. I agree. But there you go. If there is any one else on the planet who was born with this ‘evolutionary’ quirk, I would love to hear from you. 
Well if it wasn’t an age related issue for the OP it probably is by now.
Yeah, time to abandon the car and start walking.
Maybe not, but if you force it, you will be.
“If it doesn’t go, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway.”
Could be arthritis. I have arthritis in one thumb (as well as the shoulders) and at times it would stiffen up and I had trouble touching my pinky finger with it.
Yep, I think this is it. I’m a heavy keyboard user myself. Until I learned proper posture and typing technique I got moderate carpal tunnel symptoms. Since then, the carpal tunnel stuff has mostly gone away (still the occasional tingling pinky) but one thing I have noticed - if I take my right (mouse) hand and fully bend the wrist towards my arm, keeping fingers straight and hold it for more than 2-3 seconds, my whole hand cramps. Badly. Lessens after a week or so on vacation; worsens after a heavy computer use session.
I don’t recall reading this thread when it was new, but strangely, I recently discovered that I have exactly the same limitation. I’m in my 60s, though, and I’m used to things no longer working.
:dubious:
[quote=“panache45, post:15, topic:351101”]
I recently discovered that I have exactly the same limitation.
Hi Panache. Have you ever been able to touch your pinky with your thumb or is it just a recent thing? I experience no pain with it. Just something I cannot do. I do not suffer from arthritis or any past breakages.
Never had a problem with it before. The only way I can do it now is with the other 3 fingers bent, then slowly straighten them. But it’s painful.
Hey, thanks for the reply Panach. My quest continues. I guess my destiny simply never includes being a boy scout, or using sign language. No big deal, but there must be someone out there who shares my evolutionary quirk. Cheers.
Heh, be careful, because your destiny might also include failing a preliminary DUI test. One of the tests they use includes touching the tips of all your fingers with your thumb (of the same hand) while counting 1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1.