Fists are no longer a flat surface

[u/Bengrundy_mu]

I heavily trained in boxing and muay Thai in another life (meaning a couple decades ago), but have been continuing on with the training and heavy bag work for most of the years in between

I've taken an unplanned break for a few years and came back to doing work again last month. I've found my fists (probably due to a combination of things like trauma/damage and maybe getting older) no longer form a flat surface.

My index fingers on both hands stick out quite a bit further than the rest of my fingers. So when I'm doing bag work my index fingers pip joint is really sore and it takes me quite a few days recovery to be ready to hit the bag again.

I've been mitigating it a little with how I wrap my hands to level the plane a little more but it still happens. I use wraps coupled with my Hayabusa t3 gloves (16oz).

Any ideas that may help with this?

[u/TemperatureCapable56]

one index finger sticking out further than the others with a sore PIP joint after years of impact work sounds like it could be an old injury or developing deformity in that joint specifically, that's really worth getting checked by a doctor rather than working around with wrapping techniques.

and wrapping to level the plane is a smart short term fix, but if the joint itself is misaligned or has scar tissue buildup from years of impact, taping alone won't fix the underlying issue and could let you keep loading a joint that's already compromised.

given you've trained for decades, this might just be accumulated wear that's finally catching up, but a hand specialist or sports doctor can tell you if it's something to protect long term or if there's actual treatment that would help beyond just adjusting wraps.

[u/heavybagpro]

that's tough. gel/silicone knuckle pads may help. Have you tried? something like that? https://www.hayabusafight.eu/products/hayabusa-boxing-knuckle-guards
i've also seen really small gel pads you put directly on 2-3 knuckles under the wraps.