Problems with my hand....?

[GodOfRhythm]

Hey Guys,

Not my kind of thread, as I usually say in any other thread like this 'Go to the doctor and be safe', but god knows I'm not much of a doctor kind of person, so I'll try and get some advice here.

I've got this pretty 'deep' pain in my pointing finger on my left hand. I can't even say where exactly it is. The pain is mostly between the first (the very big) knuckle and the 'middle' knuckle of the finger (where you can bend it most). It seems to fluctuate between those two knuckles. But it's definitly the worst around the big knuckle, the pain seems to be all around it.

I say 'deep' because it feels as if it's the bone itself that hurts. Sometimes it seems like the pain branches out to the big knuckle of the middle finger, next to it, as well.

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It started about 3 to 4 weeks ago. I've only got an old classical acoustic to diddle around on, but when I try and hold a chord it starts hurting.

It even hurts when I try and just grab something and put my hand around it, like a glass or something.

When I'm not grabbing anything, most of the time it doesn't hurt or I don't feel anything, but sometimes it can feel a bit numb/dull, if that makes any sense, even when not touching/grabbing anything.

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Any of you have any idea what this might be?

[shadowcat]

Ok I'll be the first to say "Go to the doctor".

And I mean it.

It can very well be some kind of repetitive stress injury. Whatever, I'm no doctor, but you should take it seriously.

FYI, I had cubital tunnel syndrome from wrong posture while working at the PC. I went to the doctor as soon as I got the first problems.
So it "only" took me some months to recover... more or less fully.

[FusionFarmer]

I was building a house for the chief orthopedic sugeon in the area awhile ago (who happens to a musician himself and his son is Brian Marshall of Alter Bridge), and had him check out a similar problem with my left index finger, mine is probably a little worse as I have broken it a few times from being a carpenter for years and years, basically he told me it was tendonitis as well as arthritis, recomended using a rub such as Ben Gay and aspirin. tylenol, ibuprophen,,,etc, It still bothers me a little but not so much that I can't play all I want, I did give away my 12 string acoustic because the double pressure was too much, but by all means go see a doctor and have it checked out. you might want to try sticking to an electric with thinner strings, less force on your fingers

[Mrs Tekky]

As everyone says - definitely see a doctor to find out what's going on for sure -it could be something as simple as a sprain/strain or a jam that you didn't notice doing (I've done that a time or two). But it could very well be a sign of something more serious - a form of carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, arthritis of the joint, cartilage damage, etc. Be gentle with it for now and make the doctor's appointment!

[FusionFarmer]

oops

[danastas]

I've got the same thing on a number of my fingers.

I have to say, doctors are useless when it comes to this stuff. I previously had an ulnar nerve problem, was even sent to a specialist. When it comes to this area of medicine, you're in virgin territory.

I bet when you wake up in the morning your finger is cramped, right? At least that's the accompanying symtom for me.

I do notice that when I'm composing a new riff, and repeating the same riff over and over again, my problem gets worse. I still do exercises daily, and play songs I learned a long time ago, and the problem isn't as noticeable when I'm playing all over the guitar.

But when I'm composing something new and literally doing the same riff hundreds of times, the problem is worse than it normally is.

It's not nearly as bad as the ulnar nerve situation I had 2 years ago when everything was numb.

[GodOfRhythm]

Yeah Danastas that sounds about right!

Thanks everybody for chiming in!

I will have it go checked out next week, I guess, I'll let him check out my objective tinnitus while he's at it.

If I'm lucky I'll have cubital CT and misformed veins around my brain....

Damn I hope this stuff goes away.

[nateb]

I've got the same thing on a number of my fingers.

I have to say, doctors are useless when it comes to this stuff. I previously had an ulnar nerve problem, was even sent to a specialist. When it comes to this area of medicine, you're in virgin territory.

I bet when you wake up in the morning your finger is cramped, right? At least that's the accompanying symtom for me.

I do notice that when I'm composing a new riff, and repeating the same riff over and over again, my problem gets worse. I still do exercises daily, and play songs I learned a long time ago, and the problem isn't as noticeable when I'm playing all over the guitar.

But when I'm composing something new and literally doing the same riff hundreds of times, the problem is worse than it normally is.

It's not nearly as bad as the ulnar nerve situation I had 2 years ago when everything was numb.

I use to have that problem that you are experiencing right now. Got a recommendation to goto a specialist. 5 months later, it was better then felt for years. Lets just say that some doctors are just idiots and they need to go back to school.

-Nate

[skorb]

could be a sprained ligament in your finger joints.

have it checked out and take it easy for a few weeks with it.

[wilkinsi]

chances are it's a pulled muscle. get some "deep heat" cream and see how it fairs.

[danastas]

Just wondering, have you ever used a gripmaster? I'm wondering if those might contribute to this.