[taylor watson]

I spent around 3 years using a diy pole and loved it. A few months ago I decided to buy a proper one for a look of a professional.  The pole is not an expensive one (bayersan) but it does the job.
I noticed that my fingers are hurting more and more and they lock up in a morning.  I thought this was because of a backpack I had bought (lifting it ect). But after taking time away from it my fingers are still hurting after a couple of days use of the pole.
The symptoms suggest an injury called trigger finger. Which is in the carpel tunnel family of problems.
I was thinking the alternative is a more expensive carbon fibre or hybrid pole. The reduced weight should be an added bonus.

Has anyone had these kinds of problems? Does anyone think a high end pole may help. I dont wanna spend hundreds to find out I have the same problem. 

Thanks.

[gary999]

If you had no issues with diy pole  go back to that

If you insist in having a so called professional pole...im sure
the Gardiner stalkers on here will give you best advice

Seriously a pole with a smaller circumference may help reduce
stress on the tendon,splinting the finger may help and anti inflams
weight of the pole wont be the issue unless extreme.

experts dont really know what causes this,so dont expect the cleaners
on here to,people on here may give you some options i would take
info gathered and then go speak to a professional

[taylor watson]

Thats extremely informative.  Thank you.

[Paul Coleman]

I spent around 3 years using a diy pole and loved it. A few months ago I decided to buy a proper one for a look of a professional.  The pole is not an expensive one (bayersan) but it does the job.
I noticed that my fingers are hurting more and more and they lock up in a morning.  I thought this was because of a backpack I had bought (lifting it ect). But after taking time away from it my fingers are still hurting after a couple of days use of the pole.
The symptoms suggest an injury called trigger finger. Which is in the carpel tunnel family of problems.
I was thinking the alternative is a more expensive carbon fibre or hybrid pole. The reduced weight should be an added bonus.

Has anyone had these kinds of problems? Does anyone think a high end pole may help. I dont wanna spend hundreds to find out I have the same problem. 

Thanks.

Yes I had an issue.  Tennis elbow (possibly?) and possible early carpal tunnel.
Alleviated by lighter poles and by certain exercises.  For carpal tunnel I allowed my arms to hang loose and shook them for a while allowing the hands, wrists and fingers to wiggle freely.  Don't do it in front of others as it can make you look a right div .  Also, maybe change how you work.  Ensure you "cup" the pole base in your palm rather than gripping.  Also, give the palm a break sometimes by gripping the pole with the higher hand - i.e. spread the load.  Try working from the legs sometimes rather than the arms - even if it does mean walking back and forth rather than moving arms.
Better to change a pole than a body part.  Cheaper at pretty much any price.
DISCLAIMER:  Not a medical response.  Just saying what worked for me.  It may or  may not work for you.

[SeanK]

Why assume this is a problem caused by your pole first thing to do is see a doctor.

[James Bulton]

This kind of issues are caused by short movements. My Doctor told me, so try using longer flowing strokes.And try some exercise and build up the right muscles for the job. A carbon pole like slx Gardener  poles are  the light enough to cause strain. But its best to see the Doc and get it sorted with an injection of cortisone or if its gone to far an operation. Some people are just prawn to these problems. Like my self,had three ops.     

[Don Kee]

I used a 30ft bayersan, funnily enough my fingers would lock up (especially first thing in the morning) the diametre of pole is pretty big for a 30ft pole, and i think the clamps had a lot to do with it as well
I'll be honest, i wouldnt be surprised if one of the sections split before to long anyway (around the clamp) as the poles are so heavy and flexy!!

As said, go back to the DIY pole if it was better for you, i've mocked up a harris pole as a spare and its a cracking pole!! (Take off the bottom section of the bayersan and use it as an extension as and when you need it)
Otherwise i would look and a composite pole (huge difference from the bayersan : lighter/stiffer) or carbon fibre if you want to spend a bit more....
(I ended up going for the slx25 (carbon fibre) as the clx 27 was out of stock at the time)
If i remember rightly the price of a 30ft bayersan is around £100 and the clx27 (composite pole) is around £140 so not much price difference anyway but a huge difference...


(As an impartial ciu user i would like to add that other pole brands are available  )

[HampshireWindowCleaning]

For christ sake are you trying to do yourself an injury, Bayersan poles are terrible and weigh a ton. Just get yourself a decent lightweight pole and you will be much better off, it all comes off your tax bill anyway if you put it in your expenses.

[roundbuilder]

Hi mate, if affording a carbon pole is an issue etc the simply make and use a harris pole, they are solid and as light as an 18 ft slx(there abouts). I used harris poles for 3 years and were superb for the price.

[Perfect Windows]

I spent around 3 years using a diy pole and loved it. A few months ago I decided to buy a proper one for a look of a professional.  The pole is not an expensive one (bayersan) but it does the job.
I noticed that my fingers are hurting more and more and they lock up in a morning.  I thought this was because of a backpack I had bought (lifting it ect). But after taking time away from it my fingers are still hurting after a couple of days use of the pole.
The symptoms suggest an injury called trigger finger. Which is in the carpel tunnel family of problems.
I was thinking the alternative is a more expensive carbon fibre or hybrid pole. The reduced weight should be an added bonus.

Has anyone had these kinds of problems? Does anyone think a high end pole may help. I dont wanna spend hundreds to find out I have the same problem. 

Thanks.

Trigger finger.  I suffered this before I became a window cleaner (family thing).  It's been worsening since cleaning but very recently I found the cause and a solution.  You may not be aware of it but whichever finger you're suffering with will be the one you're actually using to hold the pole.  My moment of clarity came on one of the days my finger was actually hurting, when I realised that I grip chiefly with my middle finger.  The solution is to make a mental effort to hold the pole with the other three fingers of that hand.  Initially, just those three, then bring the inured finger back into use but in balance with the others.

Vin

[AuRavelling79]

My first pole was an unger teleplus - (I know I know) twisting the poles open and closed played havoc with my hands after about 2 years. I went straight to an SLX and have used it ever since.

But for everyday use don't use a 25 or 30 even if you buy one. Drop it down to a 20 and it's perfect.

Or go DiY again.

[windowswashed]

Go to your doctor and get checked out for arthritis. If you have it, your doctor will recommend you see a specialist and then an occupational thereapist. If you have it badly, they will make you a splint for the mentioned finger which you wear at night whilst sleeping. The purpose of the splint (cast) is to keep your finger straightened which keeps the blood flowing properly to the tip of your finger thus preventing a cramped finger and less pain in your finger when you take your cast off in the mornings.

[bobplum]

I spent around 3 years using a diy pole and loved it. A few months ago I decided to buy a proper one for a look of a professional.  The pole is not an expensive one (bayersan) but it does the job.
I noticed that my fingers are hurting more and more and they lock up in a morning.  I thought this was because of a backpack I had bought (lifting it ect). But after taking time away from it my fingers are still hurting after a couple of days use of the pole.
The symptoms suggest an injury called trigger finger. Which is in the carpel tunnel family of problems.
I was thinking the alternative is a more expensive carbon fibre or hybrid pole. The reduced weight should be an added bonus.

Has anyone had these kinds of problems? Does anyone think a high end pole may help. I dont wanna spend hundreds to find out I have the same problem. 

Thanks.

find some local windy with different pole and see if you can us it for a while and see if there's any difference

[ascjim]

My first pole was bayersan. what a load of poope

[taylor watson]

Well I went back to my diy pole and made a conscious effort to use my sore fingers as little as possible. They are still sore but nowhere near as bad.

I had an idea so if anyone has a similar problem feel free to try this. I bought some nylon webbing from b&q, fastened it round the pole and secured it with washers and rivets to make a handle that freely slides up and down the bottom section of the pole. Now I can keep my fingers straight and remain in control of the pole. Ill be testing it out tomorrow so ill let you know how it goes. Thanks for the advice though. 

[G Griffin]

  Some people are just prawn to these problems.

Yeah, it's down to using the right mussels. 

[rosskesava]

Part of the problem could be holding something heavy repeatedly that's always the same diameter and a bayersan pole, although indestructible, is soooo heavy.

One reason I don't use my Gardiners pole all the time is the sections don't come apart and sometimes towards late afternoon, I'd start getting cramp in one hand.

Since I bought a grafter and a glyder pole, both of which come apart, and I use each for different jobs and only use the number of sections needed, and just use the Gardiners pole for higher work, I havn't had a problem.

[taylor watson]

Glyder poles are telescopic but sections are removable? That would be useful

[AuRavelling79]

Part of the problem could be holding something heavy repeatedly that's always the same diameter and a bayersan pole, although indestructible, is soooo heavy.

One reason I don't use my Gardiners pole all the time is the sections don't come apart and sometimes towards late afternoon, I'd start getting cramp in one hand.

Since I bought a grafter and a glyder pole, both of which come apart, and I use each for different jobs and only use the number of sections needed, and just use the Gardiners pole for higher work, I havn't had a problem.

Errr, my gardiner slx's have removable sections - I used your trick from day 1 Ross - bought an SLX 30 but used (still use) it as a 20 and only added bigger sections for longer work.

[AuRavelling79]

 Some people are just prawn to these problems.

Yeah, it's down to using the right mussels.  

Your advice is always Brill, Griff! But you're not the sole source of wisdom on this subject and it would be shellfish of me not to share so I'll put it down in whiting for you.

Actually the OP doesn't need to flounder about getting an expensive pole if he wants to save a few squid. 'eel be just as well off going back to DiY.

Mind you, Ikura lot of problems by having the lightest pole for the job.

But he needs to get his skates on if he doesn't want an even worse injury.

Who said "Stupid boy, Pike!?"