Double Bass First finger pain

[Tommy el Gato]

For the passed couple of days I've been feeling a pain in the first finger of my left hand around the tip or the pad that goes off and on between a bruising pain and a sharp sensation kind of like a needle going through the bone. I'm not sure if it's related to my playing, but that's what I want to find out. If it is, I want to know what to do about it in the mean time and also how to prevent it.

I should also note that after I've warmed up for a minute or two, the pain goes away and and comes back shortly after I've stopped playing. It does kind of hurt to type.

 

[PaulCannon]

You need to see a doctor. It could be something serious, or it could be nothing.

 

[CT DB]

TOS isn't always that serious, and your description doesn't sound like TOS. If it is affecting the things you do during the day, get it checked out. Otherwise, it could just be the normal aches and pains associated with doing an athletic activity like playing the bass.

 

[ekspain]

probably not serious. Most likely the callous. Do you wash your hands frequently?
This happens to me when I'm playing a lot. Though the callous may not appear broken at the tip, it could be below the surface. Just lay off for an entire day or 2 and if this doesn't work, then I would take it more seriously.

 

[xxjazzbassist]

if you have really boney fingeres like i do you may have just lightly bruised the bone. I get the same kind of pain in my 4th finger from time to time

 

[Tommy el Gato]

Thanks for the info folks. It's just about gone. I do wash my hands frequently, but I don't have boney fingers. So, I'm guessing it was indeed a broken callous. My callouses are plenty thick so there's plenty of beneath-the-surface volume for something to crack or bruise without my being able to see it.

 

[nicechuckh]

I have the very same pain in my left hand first finger. Haven't been able to leave the bass alone for a day or two tho, I look at it, and just have to play.