Index finger pain/locking up.

[gypsyfelon]

Hey folks while I’m on a roll here just curious if anybody has had this type of issue before. Index finger seems to lock up in a closed position and it’s achy at the base of my finger on the inside of my hand right around the back of the knuckle. Arthritis maybe? I’m 65 been playing about 45 years on and off. Anybody else get this? If so, what did you try? Thanks in advance.

 

[bholder]

Ow.

 

[Phil Smith]

Hey folks while I’m on a roll here just curious if anybody has had this type of issue before. Index finger seems to lock up in a closed position and it’s achy at the base of my finger on the inside of my hand right around the back of the knuckle. Arthritis maybe? I’m 65 been playing about 45 years on and off. Anybody else get this? If so, what did you try? Thanks in advance.

If you aren't working out in the gym as in lifting weights, your will experience more physical issues than if you did.

 

[gypsyfelon]

Think elastic bands could help?

 

[Slevage]

Sounds like “trigger finger”.
Common issue.
My friend had it-fixed with surgery.
Go to a hand specialist.

 

[iammr2]

I had that back in college. I think it was from poor picking technique, maybe hammering the strings too hard all night. Woodshedding with a focus on picking seemed to cure it and I haven't had a problem with it since.

 

[Topkat13]

Soak it in cider.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Think elastic bands could help?

Beat it flat with a mallet like a veal cutlet.

As suggested, it sounds like trigger-finger where the tendon develops a raised node and creates a speed-bump as it passes over adjacent structure. If you force open with the other hand, you'll probably hear & feel a distinctive "click". Mine comes and goes in terms of immobility. I'm 65, as well, and paying the dues for the follies of my youth.

Riis

 

[gypsyfelon]

Soak it in cider.

You serious?

 

[Zooberwerx]

You serious?

I've never seen anything to support this course...nothing reputable anyway. Here ya go:

"There is not enough evidence to show that apple cider vinegar is an effective treatment for any symptoms relating to arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has even listed the ingredient in their article on 10 Arthritis Food Myths."

Trigger finger - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

Riis

 

[mattyrudes]

Trigger finger. I had it. Had to sleep with it in a splint for a couple of weeks and it went away for the most part. It flares up from time to time, but nothing like it was in the past. I saw a Rheumatologist, because I thought it was Rheumatoid Arthritis.

 

[Derek Kay]

Try Zinc supplements

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/stupid-tendinitis.1641333/#post-28222164

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

Trigger finger trick - you can sometimes use a bandaid in place of a splint it you wrap it around the finger joint tightly. Much more comfortable

 

[BlackCrow]

Warm Epsom Salt soak then ice it after. My hands are beat up pretty good, and it works for me. But if you feel its a true medical condition, not just wear and tear, physical therapy from a hand specialist can only help not hurt.

 

[KenSmithFan]

Think elastic bands could help?

It's most likely an over use issue. Adding more use to the equation is likely to make it worse, not better.

For musicians, I think these hand exercisers do more harm that good. You need exactly enough strength to push the string on to the frets with enough force so it doesn't buzz. No more. Any strength beyond that is not helping your playing. We're marathoners, not power lifters. You do see marathoners squatting 600 lbs. Just my two cents.

 

[gypsyfelon]

FYI it’s my index finger on my plucking hand

 

[mborn]

I have had this stiff index finger problem a number of times while playing upright bass at bluegrass jams. The problem seems to be lack of water. Playing three hours without a break at jams is the issue. Drink lots of water and take a break; washing your hands with warm water also helps.

(My finger does not bend, but stays straight and won’t move for fretting the bass. )

I have also changed strings to those with less tension and lowered the string height. Plus I now use a small amp such as a Phil Jones BG-400.

 

[blastoff]

what i've learned from physical therapy for various muscle injuries is to exercise opposing/ ancillary muscles to the ones in question. for your case maybe use a rubber band around all your closed fingers and spread / splay out your hand against the resistance. also, yea drink water and see a hand person if you're worried about it.

 

[Williethump]

Warm Epsom Salt soak then ice it after. My hands are beat up pretty good, and it works for me. But if you feel its a true medical condition, not just wear and tear, physical therapy from a hand specialist can only help not hurt.

What he/she said- Physical Therapy, warm water soaks. I had the Trigger Finger surgery which worked.
'stenosing tenosynovitis, is a disorder characterized by catching or locking of the involved finger in full or near full flexion, typically with force. There may be tenderness in the palm of the hand near the last skin crease.' Splints, PT, surgery.

 

[Five or Six]

Something I ran into years ago and what helped me. I was playing 5 nights a week on the road. Hand cramps were an issue. Epsom Salts is good in a warm water soak but, hard to do on the road. Our guitar tech told me about this and what to check for. After his suggestion and what to look for, this was what I found.

He was right. During sleep, I had my hand balled up closed in a fist under my pillow. This was what the Tech warned me about. I started to force myself to flatten my hands while in bed all the time. Now it's just automatic. I avoid clinching either hand anymore. My hand cramps pretty much went away after short time. I started doing this years ago and still do after 50 years playing.