Dealing with Arthritis

[Billyears IV]

Hi guys,

I have had touches of arthritis in left thumb joint which has been bearable but over last 12 months or so, developed bad pain in my 2nd finger, right hand ie plucking finger.

This has been particularly uncomfortable, at times throbs with pain at night. I had 1 cortesone injection in the joint last the spring, which helped. Plus it eased a lot through the summer. Now it's back with a vengeance!

I have struggled with technique and my practising has become minimal. I am sad. I failed an audition for a funk/disco band as I wasn't quite my normal fluency with busy lines. I'm not a pro so no concerns with work, but I do love my bass. Not sure I could cope playing with a regular band atm.

Anyone have similar?
Suck it up?

I will try and get another cortisone injection, but I read it's not good to have too often.

I'm 63, physically active and in good shape. Don't smoke and only have a few beers once a week.

Please share any tips/experiences. Thanks!

 

[Brian D]

I have arthritis, but mine is autoimmune rather than from wear & tear. As you've noticed colder weather doesn't work in your favour. Keeping your hands warm will help so use gloves when outside. Also handwarmer packs and hot drinks are good. Fingerless compression gloves help relieve some of the discomfort (IMO) and can also be used when playing. Aside from this, stretching and warmups before playing longer sessions.

There's a big thread over on Miscellaneous called "Take good care of your hands" which might interest you. Take good care of your hands!

 

[Billyears IV]

I have arthritis, but mine is autoimmune rather than from wear & tear. As you've noticed colder weather doesn't work in your favour. Keeping your hands warm will help so use gloves when outside. Also handwarmer packs and hot drinks are good. Fingerless compression gloves help relieve some of the discomfort (IMO) and can also be used when playing. Aside from this, stretching and warmups before playing longer sessions.

There's a big thread over on Miscellaneous called "Take good care of your hands" which might interest you. Take good care of your hands!

Cheers Brian.

Sorry to hear you have autoimmune issues. I do those things you suggest, so will keep it up.
Not sure about another cortisone injection yet, so will check on that.

I have gravitated to more synth keys stuff and electronic music production which I enjoy.

But miss my bass playing. I read how John Paul Jones would sometimes play with 1 plucking finger, which I'm dabbling with. I hate using a pick.

Oh well c'est la vie I suppose.

 

[JonathanPDX]

I have CMC arthritis and pretty bad joint weakness in both hands but much more so in the left. I couldn't play for many months until I finally got a cortisone injection.

Do you have a good thumb brace, or have you experimented with different types? A good PT can even custom mold one, one PT even had me bring in my bass so they could try and mold a brace that would keep my hand in playing position. I couldn't quite make it work but we came pretty close. Sleeping with the brace on helps too.

You can also look at using a brace while typing, driving, etc. And add good wrist pads to your desk, keyboard, and anything else that has you moving your hands around. It can help to cut down on all your joint wear and tear, and look for little ways to reduce stress on the joints or give them time to recover, like with a brace while you sleep to keep it in rest position.

 

[Billyears IV]

I have CMC arthritis and pretty bad joint weakness in both hands but much more so in the left. I couldn't play for many months until I finally got a cortisone injection.

Do you have a good thumb brace, or have you experimented with different types? A good PT can even custom mold one, one PT even had me bring in my bass so they could try and mold a brace that would keep my hand in playing position. I couldn't quite make it work but we came pretty close. Sleeping with the brace on helps too.

You can also look at using a brace while typing, driving, etc. And add good wrist pads to your desk, keyboard, and anything else that has you moving your hands around. It can help to cut down on all your joint wear and tear, and look for little ways to reduce stress on the joints or give them time to recover, like with a brace while you sleep to keep it in rest position.

Thanks.

I did use thumb braces when it was bad in my left hand thumb joint. But that has eased.

Not sure if there is a similar brace/support for middle finger?!
Plus need flexibility for plucking....

 

[FatStringer52]

I'm now 73 and also suffer with arthritis. It's especially bad in my wrist, 2nd joint of the middle finger and 2nd joint of the thumb of my left hand (my fretting hand). Here in the States we have an OTC medication called Voltaren and it works wonders for me. Don't know if it is available in your local area, but it sure would be worth a try. It really helps in minimizing trips to the Doc.

 

[Billyears IV]

I'm now 73 and also suffer with arthritis. It's especially bad in my wrist, 2nd joint of the middle finger and 2nd joint of the thumb of my left hand (my fretting hand). Here in the States we have an OTC medication called Voltaren and it works wonders for me. Don't know if it is available in your local area, but it sure would be worth a try. It really helps in minimizing trips to the Doc.

Thanks.

In UK we have equivalent.... Voltarol. I have tube at home. Have used for odd ache from time to time but don't find it does much. I could try using consistently on my thumb and see.

 

[newfuture]

Get your type of arthritis fully diagnosed if you have not yet. If it is autoimmune, there are some amazing systemics that can help. I have gone from limited range of motion in my hands to basically being back to where I was in my heyday.

IME, things that helped before I got mine under control was adequate rest, turning my amp up and playing less aggressively, and adjusting technique to accommodate my condition. Also, moving to medium and short scale basses helped, as did keeping up on setups for lower action.

Beyond this, adequate hydration, and eliminating alcohol intake were helpful.

 

[red_rhino]

Thanks.

In UK we have equivalent.... Voltarol. I have tube at home. Have used for odd ache from time to time but don't find it does much. I could try using consistently on my thumb and see.

Both Voltarol and Voltaren are brand names for diclofenac sodium. My doctor prescribed that for me when I developed arthritis in my right pinky a few years ago. In my case, the arthritis was a result of cartilage breakdown in one joint. I used it mostly at night for a couple of months to tamp down the inflammation so I could sleep, but I stopped using it after a while once things improved.

I avoid certain activities that tend to aggravate my hands, such as gardening (specifically pulling weeds), or tasks that involve extended use of hand tools (e.g. hammering, sawing), which is fine because I hate doing that stuff anyway and now I have a reason not to. (All big jobs like landscaping only involve one tool, an iPhone, so I can hire a contractor to do the job right and save my hands for more important things.)

Yes, wisdom does come with age; but so does pain and discomfort. Inflammation can be a feedback loop. If you can break the loop, things may get more tolerable. Use the Voltarol consistently at least at night for a few months so that you’re not so focused on the discomfort. If there’s a daily activity that’s causing pain, stop doing that (or modify how you do it) for a little while. Hopefully you’ll be able to resume playing with your usual fluidity.

 

[EvilJ]

Eliminating sugar really helped me.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I was diagnosed with RA about a year and a half ago, with degenerative damage in my left wrist and elbow.

I completely revised my left hand technique, and have adapted the Joel Quarrington DB method to fretless and fretted EB.

I have no advice for your right hand, but I can tell you, with one hundred percent certainty, that with the CSODB left hand technique, I never have to hold any more tension in my left hand than needed to close the string or strings on the board, and I never, ever hold my hand in a fixed claw position, or fixed anything, or use any more muscular energy than necessary to play the the note or notes I'm playing at the moment.

Near total relaxation is achievable, which can significantly reduce pain.

Good luck and I hope you find a way to play pain-free.

>adding that there's nothing special about my setup or strings<

 

[TeaTime]

I'm definitely staving off the inevitable end of performing. I'm younger than you, but my arthritis is advanced. I've had the benefit of working with a really good Physical Therapist who is a cellist, and who specializes in string player rehab.

I no longer book gigs longer than 2 hours.

I switched to lightweight gear, and if possible I let someone else do load in. My main group does it for me, while I do more of the cabling and such.

Set lists have to provide songs with bass parts that are less stressful on the hands between the harder ones.

Learned to play softer and let the amps do the pushing.

Switched to short scale.
Switched to 4-string.
Switched to very light strings.

Main metal and grunge groups I still play a bass, but for jazz I've switched to a Bass VI.

Wear fingerless compression gloves while playing.

Any moment where there is not a bass line I'm either stretching or massaging my hands.

I started out on classical guitar, so I'm used to using all fingers on the right hand. I've started using 3 and 4 on songs that need a softer touch, saving 1 and 2 for the more powerful stuff.

 

[sonic boogaloo]

I'm 63, physically active and in good shape. Don't smoke and only have a few beers once a week.

Please share any tips/experiences. Thanks!

i've just turned 60 and sometimes wake up with cramp in my left hand, it tends to dissipate quickly but it's a concern. i'm guessing it's early signs of arthritis. it tends to happen more when i sleep in a particular position. like you, i lead an active lifestyle: gym, running and healthy diet but probably have more beers than are good for me.

it's a terrible thing, old age....

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I have major arthritis and degeneration in my joints. 56. I changed my diet, and it has changed my life. I avoid processed meats and sugar. Sugar is the big one. It's hard, because it is put in most everything. I added natural anti inflammatory ingredients to meals (turmeric, specific greens etc) and cutting others out (night shades). I went from not being able to lift my left arm over my head for a couple years to now easily doing windmills with it. I had given up on being able to play upright, but am now going to get another. Instead of treating symptoms, I tried to figure out what was triggering the issues, This will be different for everyone, but for me diet adjustment did what PT for years couldn't.

 

[lowplaces]

Anyone have similar

I had joint pain in my knees, wrists, and hands. I started loading up on Omega-3 and it didn't take but a couple of weeks at the most to eliminate the pain. I wasn't diagnosed with arthritis though but I suspect that's what it is.

(If you're on blood thinners or have bleeding condition check with your doctor before you try it)

 

[Billyears IV]

Cheers guys, things to consider and try, much appreciated.

Sorry to hear of your various symptoms but good that some remedies helped. Thanks for sharing.

 

[yodedude2]

as an aside, when i had a middle finger injury on my plucking hand long ago, i played several gigs using my index and ring fingers to pluck the strings. hope this helps ~

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Sorry to hear about that, I have an issue with my thumb on my fretting hand. I know if I tape it up really well and use a thumb brace when I’m at work. It seems to help it some. About the Cortizone shots. I’ve had those in my back, and I’ve read they’re not That good to have. The amount of Cortizone you get in a large injection for large joint like a hip is the amount of Cortizone you get an entire lifetime. Get a second opinion on it try some therapy, seems to help mine a little bit. Try alternative meds. May help. Doesn’t hurt to try. Hope it gets better!

 

[Wasnex]

Definitely consider diet. My diet is pretty limited as most foods seem to be migraine triggers for me. I definitely feel better overall when I stick with my limited diet, which is basically eggs, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, and non-processed meat. It seems to take about 2-weeks on the limited diet for optimal results. Unfortunately I frequently push the limits and have treats sporadically throughout the week. Having treats gives me migraines which are mitigated with a limited supply of triptan pills. Additional impact includes increased fatigue, muscle stiffness and joint stiffness/pain. I take 400mg of Motrin every morning. On motorcycle ride days I bump it up to 800mg. I sometimes take 400mg an hour or so before bed as well.

I have Diclofenac gel and use it it sporadically. It helps in some places and does not help in others.

AFAIK regular exercise is also helpful.

 

[Topkat13]

Right there with you man! Of course check with your doctor, but you can get 2 to 3 Cortizone injections per year. I’ve done it because I too suffer from chronic arthritis and thumb pain. Very common in later years. I’m 70 and my challenge of late has been cramping and tingling into my hands. I’m basically knocking on the door of carpal tunnel. One thing that does help somewhat with my cramping is chelated magnesium. Keep plug’n up and thump’n!