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My left hand index finger suddenly started getting painful and sore, to the point where I struggle to move it and can't properly use that hand.
I don't know exactly what has caused it, as it didn't get trapped, hit or overextended. A couple of days beforehand I was using some heavy extension ladders outside my house, and they are quite a stretch to get them to full extension, releasing and setting the locking catches overhead is quite awkward - but I didn't feel any pain or discomfort at the time, it only started a couple of days after.
Initially the pain seemed to be right from the knuckle to the tip of my finger, and very tender to touch along on the right side of the finger, but oddly not around the other sides. I couldn't bend it. Fastening a seatbelt or opening a packet was impossible without avoiding use of the index finger. There was no visible swelling or redness though.
Followed NHS advice of rest & ibuprofen etc, but soon stopped the ibuprofen as I was concerned I would forget and do more damage if the pain was numbed (I'm left handed, but play right handed)
3 weeks have passed and it has slowly improved a little, pain has eased and I can bend/flex it a bit but not fully curl it into a fist.
I tried to very gently play guitar (or mimic the movements) I can feel a twinge if I fret a note with my index finger - but the worst is that it will not go anywhere near the curled position for an open C chord or partial barre across strings 1-2 or 1-3 , I don't want to make things worse.
I'm 40 and have been playing for 20 years, but probably only average an 1 hour playing time a week if i'm lucky, so hopefully the guitar is not the cause. Never had any hand problems until now.
Sorry for the long thread!
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Did it get better on its own with time? how long did it take?
Any benefit from seeing a Doctor/Physio etc?
Is it likely to be an issue with a tendon, or one of the joints the tendon slides through? I've tried to look up medical advice for this injury online but not found anything similar, all seems to be things like trigger finger (locking) or injuries from a break or serious sprain.
Thanks in advance.
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Comments
What I meant was, will an NHS GP be able to do anything for me at this stage, given funding crisis etc, priority of patients with far worse problems.
Not doubting the skills of Doctors & Physios, just wanted to know other people's experiences with these injuries, and their experiences going to their Doctor.
I didn't see the point going to my GP in the first week, but yes I will go and see my GP and at least start the ball rolling.
https://youtu.be/biK2Ga1brAA
I will send the head in next time as my hands are worth far more to me theses days...
So arthritis obviously isn’t good news but it’s not necessarily as bad as you first imagine.
In the meantime, start taking the ibuprofen again and avoid using the finger as much as possible (not easy with an index finger, I know). As well as being a painkiller, ibuprofen reduces inflammation.
Your GP might not actually be able to do much more in terms of initial treatment (other than maybe splinting it to prevent further movement to allow it to rest), but they can refer you on to a specialist or physiotherapist for further investigation and treatment.
Has the benefit of freaking other guitarists out as well... 'WTF is wrong with your had', haha.
Thanks. Do you think yours was caused by playing guitar, or other activity? Did you get completely back to normal?
I've had a long wait for a Doctor's appointment, I'm booked in for Monday.
A week has passed (4 weeks now) and my index finger has gradually improved a little bit each day. Less pain, able to curl it more, now sometimes noticing a slight 'click' in the last joint when I bend it. Not able to use it for opening things or carrying even something light though. Restricting guitar playing to only using my 2nd/3rd/4th fingers (basically doing light triads, with picking patterns for a few minutes here and there.)
i have recovered completely now, but it did take a lot of rest.
Good luck with the Doc on Monday. Hopefully they can set your mind at ease a bit.
My Doc said similar to yours, it was an injury and that it would get better itself in time. She said that the gradual improvements were a good sign. As there wasn't any swelling she couldn't say what type of injury it was, advised to keep it moving and use it but well within limits of pain, and go back in 4 weeks if not improving.
The last couple of weeks it has improved gradually again, I was able to play my Les Paul the other day without any pain (7 weeks after it first started) I was careful to warm up though and didn't go crazy, but was able to do partial barres, unison bends, vibrato etc. which cheered me up immensely
Only advice I can give to others now is to really look after your hands! When not playing guitar, don't abuse them with bad technique for things you do at work/taking junk to the tip/DIY etc. - don't overload or overstretch your fingers.