Fuzzface
Member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2005
- Messages
- 292
Hi guys. I'm 35, and been playing guitar since I was 7, electric at 13/14. I went to the doctor with pain in my first finger on left (fretting) hand, and he has suggested osteoarthritis and sent me for an x-ray as soon as he heard I played a lot of guitar. To be honest, he isn't the most "attentive" of doctors.
Looking at the internet, the area of pain is the Distal inter-phalangeal joint on my first finger..the joint between the first two bones. It feels swollen and very tender if I squeeze it. No other fingers are currently in pain. This has been going on for 6 months, and is not getting better, even if I have a break from playing. The pain is not continuous - really only when I apply pressure i.e. when I play guitar, and occassionaly typing.
And I do a lot of both - I work long hours, and then play as much as I can. I'm no pro, but playing guitar is what keeps me sane.
But right now, it just hurts too much. I do play with a lot of heavy vibrato on the first finger, and I wouldn't be surprised if I have worn the joint down. Oh...this all started after I started massively playing bass around December...playing pretty agressive bass "trying" to learn slap bass. Not sure if that is important, but this was a change to my regular playing.
I haven't had time to go for the x-ray, but if it is osteoarthritis, is there anything I can do? Any injection/surgery? If I cannot play guitar, I think I will snap.
I'm very worried...and quite down. I've booked time off just to play and toda was the first day and I sounded awful, wincing in pain. I would love to hear if anyone else has experienced this and how to alleviate it.
Looking at the internet, the area of pain is the Distal inter-phalangeal joint on my first finger..the joint between the first two bones. It feels swollen and very tender if I squeeze it. No other fingers are currently in pain. This has been going on for 6 months, and is not getting better, even if I have a break from playing. The pain is not continuous - really only when I apply pressure i.e. when I play guitar, and occassionaly typing.
And I do a lot of both - I work long hours, and then play as much as I can. I'm no pro, but playing guitar is what keeps me sane.
But right now, it just hurts too much. I do play with a lot of heavy vibrato on the first finger, and I wouldn't be surprised if I have worn the joint down. Oh...this all started after I started massively playing bass around December...playing pretty agressive bass "trying" to learn slap bass. Not sure if that is important, but this was a change to my regular playing.
I haven't had time to go for the x-ray, but if it is osteoarthritis, is there anything I can do? Any injection/surgery? If I cannot play guitar, I think I will snap.
I'm very worried...and quite down. I've booked time off just to play and toda was the first day and I sounded awful, wincing in pain. I would love to hear if anyone else has experienced this and how to alleviate it.