Creaking Fingers

[Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP]

I've noticed throughout my "vast" experience of listening with a stethoscope that my fingers are VERY creaky. You know, they just make a lot of extra noises through the stethescope. I have used all kinds of stethescopes, from $15 beginner - $250 cardiology III, and all of them allow me to hear one thing VERY clearly: creaky finger joints! Does anyone else have this problem? If so, do you know of any way to possibly minimize the noise? Thanks so much for any help/advice given! I don't want to have to learn to auscultate with my feet! LOL! :chuckle

[BlueEyedRN]

Hold very very still. :) I have the same problem and found that if I hold the endpiece between my 2nd and third fingers, I am able to limit movement in my hand.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

hold the head of the stethescope against the patient's chest with your palm.....it doesn't make noise :)

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

wd40 to the fingers baby !! :chuckle

[PMHNP10]

do you have your fingers on the bell/diaphram (opposite side pressed against the pt.)? also, are you listening to things over clothes? that can do it; and if under, perhaps it's hair that is making those noises? one thing that might help is to hold closer to the tubing rather than the end

also try holding with palm as previously mentioned; as long as you don't have issues with tremors, you shouldn't have much problem

trial and error; see which way works best for you

[squeakykitty]

I had this problem in my left hand. I switched hands.

[MNmom3boys]

I just had to laugh when I found this thread!

I just figured I had loud finger joints, as I had never heard any other professional mention a similar problem. Glad to know I'm not the only one who has had to figure out how to work around the problem.

I have found using my left (non-dominant) hand and holding very still have been helpful for me.

Good-luck with your creaky joints!

[Dolce, RN]

Use two fingers instead of one. Make sure there are no clothes between your the stethoscope and chest. Press firmly.

[Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP]

do you have your fingers on the bell/diaphram (opposite side pressed against the pt.)? also, are you listening to things over clothes? that can do it; and if under, perhaps it's hair that is making those noises? one thing that might help is to hold closer to the tubing rather than the end

also try holding with palm as previously mentioned; as long as you don't have issues with tremors, you shouldn't have much problem

trial and error; see which way works best for you

Thanks to all. I usually use whichever hand is at a better angle at the time I'm trying to listen, but both hands have creaks. I never listen through clothing. My instructors would practically beat us if they caught us doing that when I was in school! LOL! Hair is a problem on some folks, but I still hear the creaks on bare chested individuals, so it MUST be my fingers. I'm gonna try the palm thing you suggested, and the other mentioned techniques, too. I just hate little things like this. Thanks again!