LH tendonitis, thumb/hand joint. Remedies?

pdg

I have heard that it is better to stop playing until you're under the care of a physician. You can't damage things that way.

matthewkanis

If your thumb is going numb it could be carpel tunnel. Maybe someone already mentioned this, if they did sorry for the repeat. Your doctor can do a simple test and verify if that is the problem. If so, it's a simple surgery and you are back in the saddle. Same thing happened to Jimmy Bruno years ago. Pain, numbness in the thumb, thought his playing days were over. Simple surgery and he said it's like he has a brand new hand. Just a thought. Blessings

Bones

Dang it sorry Paul. Yeah if it was me I would lay off until you r pain free then start in slow if your doc/PT says it's ok.

Good luck buddy hope you have a speedy recovery.

Petrov

If it hurts, you should stop playing until you know what you are dealing with.

See a doctor, but from personal experience seek a second opinion with physio or a massage therapist or possibly another doctor.

I had tendonitis with pain and numbness in both hands and was unable to use a keyboard and mouse. Had to stop playing guitar for 6 months. The doctor said it was carpal tunnel and I should start taking advil. If that didn't work, then surgery. I asked if physio or massage could help they said no.

Nothing worked and I decided to try physiotherapy. Within 15 minutes of stretching and massage he said I probably dont have carpal. I felt better almost immediately. Now I do massage therapy. My issue is muscle tension pinching and pressing against nerves. Also if you have issues in your hand doesn't mean the issue is there. It can be back, neck, shoulder issues causing these feelings in your hand. Everything is connected.

All that to say hopefully you can figure this out. It can be very frustrating. Seek a second opinion If you can.

Edit ...Note on doctors, physio, massage, acupuncture etc.: there are good ones and bad ones. Know the difference as it can save you time, money and frustration.

Buco

That sucks a big time Paul.

Good point from @Petrov when I had a pinched nerve in the neck, sometimes the pain would travel to my hand.

Acupuncture could be one avenue too. A friend in Chicago helped me more than once with needless.

Passacaglia

Everybody, thanks very much. Can't type much (this thing is &^^$$%^&)&ing me off), but wanted to get back and say thanks for the supportive thoughts. Probably won't be on for a bit while this thing goes its course. Learned my ^^$$^ lesson.

Happy playing. This is such a great community.

ChristopheCarington

@Passacaglia - Two things I wanted to note:

First, it looks like your exercises only focus on wrist and forearm abduction and adduction. You have no exercises focusing on the palm of your hand and fingers - which would include flexion, extension and opposition. Basically - you're doing a whole bunch of exercises that focus on only part of the problem.

This video gives you a quick tutorial about what I mean, so you can visualize it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4WPk5mUr8I

This video (though aimed at gamers), can give you a whole bunch of exercises focused on flexion, extension, and opposition - and also gives some great tips that also apply to playing guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=EiRC80FJbHU&feature=emb_title. This dude has a lot of great videos.

Another good video that helps prevent the tension in your shoulders (again, overlap with abduction and adduction): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToKjtQDwRY0

Second, I would recommend talking to a physician if you're worried or in serious pain. However, during your conversation, if you want physical help and preventative exercises - you gotta tell your doctor you want a referral to a specialist (e.g. a physiotherapist). Otherwise they'll mostly be focus the conversation on avoiding triggers to your pain (e.g. avoid playing guitar, using a computer) and/or treating your pain with medication.

Matteo

"Acupuncture could be one avenue too."

I agree. Kinesiology is another option that has been very helpful to me.

Passacaglia

Hey all -

Thanks for the additional thoughts, and will respond (I'm typing RH only, lol). Just a cautionary tale, & I'm kind of blown away: ulnar side has gone from merely sore locally to ballooned up, hurts like hell despite regular ice baths and EX tylenol; entire hand now going numb and heading to urgent care.

I get it - 5 min. practice, 1 hr break!😮

Buco

That sounds scary man, let us know...