No Big Deal / Red Flag: Trigger finger — a finger that catches, clicks, or locks — is treatable at every stage but simpler when caught early. Clinical Depth: De Quervain's Part Two — the mechanics that drive it and the specific habit changes that prevent it. Safety Officer Ben: Fishing is a contact sport. Hook injuries, deck falls, and what Alaska's two fishing environments demand from your hands.

No Big Deal / Red Flag: Thumb base pain from CMC arthritis vs. De Quervain's — and the self-test that tells you which one you're dealing with. Clinical Depth: Why new parents, gamers, and fly fishermen all develop the same condition — and why cortisone works here. Safety Officer Ben: Layering is not about warmth — it's about physiology.

No Big Deal / Red Flag: "If you can move it, it's not broken" is wrong — what actually tells the difference, and the mallet finger window you cannot miss. Clinical Depth: Durkan's compression test — more accurate than Phalen's, takes 30 seconds, and you can do it right now. Safety Officer Ben: Why footwear is a medical decision, not a style choice — and why your hands pay the price when you get it wrong.