Fret hand index finger pain ?

[dmccombe7]

Been playing for 40yrs and recently i've started to get a sharp stabbing pain on my fret hand index finger after playing for approx 15-30mins. It comes from the finger tip when pressing the strings. As soon as it happens at a rehearsal or gig i try to use other fingers for a few mins until it eases off. I don't get any issue pressing on hard or flat surfaces and only seems to occur when pressing strings. Other fingers are fine.
I've been assuming its down to playing too hard in a rock band.
Has anyone else experienced this or have any ideas what is causing it.
Dave

 

[Gorn]

A sharp stabbing pain that only started to happen recently after 40 years? Can we assume you already scheduled a doctor's appointment and are here to discuss the possibilities in the mean time?

 

[dmccombe7]

Altho i've recently had a heart check for something else which was all clear its not that kind of pain. Its more like someone sticking your finger tip with a blunt edge. Its completely localised to my fingertip and doesn't travel all the way up my arm.
When it occurs it feels more like a bruised fingertip if that makes sense but then after a few mins it goes away.
If i play with my index finger further along the string rather than my actual finger tip its fine. Its only at the very end of my finger.
I appreciate the concern tho.
Dave

 

[dmccombe7]

Come to think of it i believe that's the only finger where i play with the finger tip almost next to my nail. The other fingers are more on the flat of my fingertip.

 

[Element Zero]

It’s happened to me from time to time as well. It’ll last for a couple days and then go away. Sometimes on my pinky as well. I don’t have an answer for you but I understand what you’re talking about.

 

[fearceol]

A sharp stabbing pain that only started to happen recently after 40 years? Can we assume you already scheduled a doctor's appointment and are here to discuss the possibilities in the mean time?

I agree with the above. A visit to the doctor should be a priority...THEN...compare notes with others here if you wish.

 

[dmccombe7]

2-3 yrs ago i had a problem with my hands where i woke up one morning and my fingers were almost rigid and it took me 4hrs for them to ease off. It was put down to stress after they did all the various tests for arthritis and rheumatism etc and all was clear with absolutely nothing showing. No inflammation and no obvious nerve damage. Blood tests and X-rays all clear. I was suffering a lot of stress at day job at that time and that was all they could put it down to. Took a few weeks before the aches went completely. I've never had an issue since until this started. I also had my heart checked for something else last year and that proved all good too.
Went back thru to play some bass today and the more i look at it i think it feels more like a bruising inside the finger. I recently ended up playing very hard for a spell when new band first started and we were sorting out our levels and tones. That's why i'm thinking its more a strain than anything else. If i play lightly with my left hand as i should it doesn't happen. Its only when i feel my bass is too low in the mix or i'm just really going for it in the moment.
Dave

 

[dmccombe7]

If anyone is interested i did find this guitar / bass specific medical explanation that i found interesting and may explain what i've been experiencing.
Causes of sharp pain in a fretting finger after playing guitar or bass?

Dave

 

[dmccombe7]

Well think i got to the bottom of my finger pain this morning. It was in fact a tiny slither of metal that was covered over by skin. It must have been there for a while tho and worked itself to the surface enough i could just barely see it with a bright light and my glasses on. Scraped away the skin and removed with tweezers and hopefully it will be good tomorrow. Not sure where it came from. I've changed to DR strings. Could that be where it came from ? Anyone had a slither of metal from their strings ???

 

[fr8ghtrain]

I have this issue on my index finger of my left hand. I've been playing for over 50 years. I sliced it with a box cutter about 30 years ago and it is now just starting to hinder my playing. I am sure that I have scar tissue beneath the callous. Apsercream? Massage? Anything?

 

[dmccombe7]

The slither of metal wasn't the answer for me either. Like you i think i have under-lying damage. Before gigging or rehearsals i put a little spot of Voltarol on finger tip and rub in maybe 15mins before playing seems to help me a lot. I also adjusted my finger positioning from using the end of my finger tip to the flat of my finger tip and that seems to have helped as well. I also started to play lighter on the strings and that was the hard part. I've always been quite an aggressive player with my right plucking hand and i seem to automatically press harder with my fret hand when digging in with my right. Now i play lighter on fret hand but retain the aggressive attack of my plucking hand. That took a bit of work to get to that point and i have to think about that when playing. Its not something i do automatically but it is getting more towards that.
I also had a break from rehearsals / gigs for various reasons within the band for about 4-5weeks and that must have given the finger more team to recover.
Hope that helps
Dave