Index finger pain/locking up.

[JMarkD]

You should certainly see a doctor before taking advice here, but it does sound like "trigger finger". I have suffered from it. They make a small splint that goes around the base of the finger and runs down onto the palm. It worked great for me. But seriously, see a doctor before trying anything.

 

[gypsyfelon]

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.

I was doing the same thing I had noticed. Thanks a lot

 

[jmlee]

As noted, very likely trigger finger syndrome caused by reduced ability of one of the finger tendons to slide through a sheath/channel. It can be treated with corticosteroid injection into the affected joint—something I had done last summer for my right index (plucking) finger. After about three weeks the problem abated completely, although I suspect it may now be returning. Ultimately there’s a straightforward surgical fix that is very successful. Don’t go down the home remedy path described in some of these posts.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I have a similar but not identical problem with my left middle finger due to an old basketball injury I had 20 ish years ago.
It kind of stuck in a half folded position when I play around the first two frets on my jazz bass with a Warmoth slim taper jazz neck.
I don’t have this problem with a standard C shaped jazz neck or a contemporary p bass neck.
Unfortunately, this slim taper neck made of roasted maple is my best neck ever thanks to its outstanding stability and ease of play but I have to replace it with a standard C shaped jazz neck I just ordered at Fender.
Sound should be similar though as I took roasted maple as well.

 

[Phil Smith]

Think elastic bands could help?

I understand you seeking the path of least resistance but at 65 if you aren't actively working on your level of fitness and strength, these issues will become more common place. My recommendation is to begin a strength training program.

 

[newfuture]

Right middle finger here. Trigger finger diagnosis. Splinting/buddy taping helps, as do rest, NSAIDs/prednisone (don't do either long-term). Get thineself to a professional and have it looked at. If this is what you have, it's not an exotic problem with no solution, as others mention, treatment is fairly well understood

 

[happygilmour]

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.

Trigger finger...have had surgery 3 times. Surgery is pretty minor. Sometimes a Cortisone shot can take care of it. Just had shots in middle fingers on both hands. Very common in diabetics (which I am).

 

[jTrolt]

Not yet mentioned: Fish oil.
I've been advised by my chiropractor to take fish oil supplements daily, doubling up the night before any planned high-demand physical activities.
Aside from the constant reminders to properly hydrate, he says this is the daily supplement equivalent of a quick shot of lubricant to your joints. For long term joint health I use glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, as our bodies slow it's natural production with age, but it's a long term build up and maintenance approach with that supplement.
I know, some find chiropractic advice a little suspect, and they like to push supplements.
However, at age 57 and over a decade of said supplement use due to demanding physical job/lifestyle, I enjoy trouble free playing in addition to complete comfort in joint health in general. I play almost daily, am fairly vigorous in my approach, and fortunately, no pain unless I use improper technique.
I would suggest you ask your PT's opinion whether it may aid treatment/recovery for your issue.

 

[jmlee]

Not yet mentioned: Fish oil.
I've been advised by my chiropractor to take fish oil supplements daily, doubling up the night before any planned high-demand physical activities.
Aside from the constant reminders to properly hydrate, he says this is the daily supplement equivalent of a quick shot of lubricant to your joints. For long term joint health I use glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, as our bodies slow it's natural production with age, but it's a long term build up and maintenance approach with that supplement.
I know, some find chiropractic advice a little suspect, and they like to push supplements.
However, at age 57 and over a decade of said supplement use due to demanding physical job/lifestyle, I enjoy trouble free playing in addition to complete comfort in joint health in general. I play almost daily, am fairly vigorous in my approach, and fortunately, no pain unless I use improper technique.
I would suggest you ask your PT's opinion whether it may aid treatment/recovery for your issue.

I spent my career as a biomedical engineering professor and connective tissue research specialist. I can assure you that the cumulative evidence for positive impacts of oral glucosamine/chondroitin supplements on joint health is very poor, as is that for collagen supplements and the like. The problem is that the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycan (PGs) complexes in joints are very long-chain molecules which have to be assembled *there in the joint* since they're too big to diffuse though the bloodstream into tissues, let alone to exit the gut and into the bloodstream if injested. Thus, to get any positive benefits the injested supplements have to be hydrolyzed into *intact* monomeric components, travel without degradation to the specific site needed, and then be used in the synthesis process for new GAGs and PGs by the patient. Add to this the complication that many of these supplements are from other animal sources, and the likelihood that a functional mechanism exists becomes very, very slim—hence the crappy clinical evidence. I'd add to this the obvious caution that chiropractic care is not science-based.

 

[jTrolt]

Yeah, I wondered if I'd elicit a response like this. Sorry I mentioned it. Sorry I cannot delete the post.