Sharp pain in finger tip

[Fynn]

Hey there,
I've been having this issue for probably over two years now, where I have a sharp pain in my left hand ring finger. It's only when I fret a note, and doesn't happen when I push on it for example. I didn't have this for the longest time, and only in the past like two years have I noticed it. I feel like sometimes it isn't there, but most of the time it is. When I have it, it comes immediately with the first note I fret. So I don't think it's an issue with me pressing down too hard or such. Almost as if I have a tiny injury inside my finger tip. I vary the pressure sometimes to see if it changes, but when it's there, it doesn't matter what I change or do.
Now I'm finally sick of it, and would like to know if anybody here knows what this could be. I might visit a doctor soon, but this obviously doesn't exactly make my life more difficult, and I only ever notice it when playing. It's bad enough to where I sometimes use my pinky for stretches that I would usually do with my ring finger. But I also sometimes just play through the pain. I've definitely not been playing as much as I did like 3 years ago, but I'm still playing pretty actively, and since none of my other fingers have it, I have a hard time believing that it's just because I don't play enough. After all, my ring finger probably gets the most action right after my index.

Any help would be appreciated, else I gotta go see a doctor or do some online research.

 

[eddybuzzard]

Hey there,
I've been having this issue for probably over two years now, where I have a sharp pain in my left hand ring finger. It's only when I fret a note, and doesn't happen when I push on it for example. I didn't have this for the longest time, and only in the past like two years have I noticed it. I feel like sometimes it isn't there, but most of the time it is. When I have it, it comes immediately with the first note I fret. So I don't think it's an issue with me pressing down too hard or such. Almost as if I have a tiny injury inside my finger tip. I vary the pressure sometimes to see if it changes, but when it's there, it doesn't matter what I change or do.
Now I'm finally sick of it, and would like to know if anybody here knows what this could be. I might visit a doctor soon, but this obviously doesn't exactly make my life more difficult, and I only ever notice it when playing. It's bad enough to where I sometimes use my pinky for stretches that I would usually do with my ring finger. But I also sometimes just play through the pain. I've definitely not been playing as much as I did like 3 years ago, but I'm still playing pretty actively, and since none of my other fingers have it, I have a hard time believing that it's just because I don't play enough. After all, my ring finger probably gets the most action right after my index.

Any help would be appreciated, else I gotta go see a doctor or do some online research.

I'm a custom woodworker, and I get tiny fragments of screw metal, and micro wood splinters in my fingers all the time, that cause this.
I would suggest to get a loupe, and examine the area very thoroughly, maybe something very small is stuck in there.
Usually you can't feel the microscopic ones, until pressure is applied.

 

[Minimalist]

I'm a custom woodworker, and I get tiny fragments of screw metal, and micro wood splinters in my fingers all the time, that cause this.
I would suggest to get a loupe, and examine the area very thoroughly, maybe something very small is stuck in there.
Usually you can't feel the microscopic ones, until pressure is applied.

I 2nd that.

 

[Fynn]

I'm a custom woodworker, and I get tiny fragments of screw metal, and micro wood splinters in my fingers all the time, that cause this.
I would suggest to get a loupe, and examine the area very thoroughly, maybe something very small is stuck in there.
Usually you can't feel the microscopic ones, until pressure is applied.

That could actually be the case, since I did work with wood around the time it started. But I thought if I get a splinter like that, eventually it would grow out. Is it possible for it to be stuck there for 2 years?

 

[eddybuzzard]

That could actually be the case, since I did work with wood around the time it started. But I thought if I get a splinter like that, eventually it would grow out. Is it possible for it to be stuck there for 2 years?

Some just sit in there, until you notice them and pull them out, but other times, our system forms a capsule around it.
I have one in my left index tip, since spring of '23. I had tried to dig it out for several days, but just couldn't get it.
At least it's genuine Fugian Mahogany, direct descendent of the original Honduras of yesteryear.
I had an oak splinter in my right middle knuckle, that finally dissolved after about 30 years!

If you can feel a lump in there, it might be encapsulated.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Some just sit in there, until you notice them and pull them out, but other times, our system forms a capsule around it.
I have one in my left index tip, since spring of '23. I had tried to dig it out for several days, but just couldn't get it.
At least it's genuine Fugian Mahogany, direct descendent of the original Honduras of yesteryear.
I had an oak splinter in my right middle knuckle, that finally dissolved after about 30 years!

If you can feel a lump in there, it might be encapsulated.

Did you try soaking in warm water for 15-30 min until the skin crinkles? It can be revealing.

 

[dannylectro]

That could actually be the case, since I did work with wood around the time it started. But I thought if I get a splinter like that, eventually it would grow out. Is it possible for it to be stuck there for 2 years?

Yes!

 

[murphy]

Everyone beat me to it.
I found a tiny hair size metal splinter . Almost invisible....But Boy did it hurt when pressure was applied!

 

[moreblues]

You say the pain is on your Ring finger...do you wear a Ring?
If so Stop wearing the Ring it and see if the pain goes away.

 

[micguy]

Everyone beat me to it.
I found a tiny hair size metal splinter . Almost invisible....But Boy did it hurt when pressure was applied!

I was going to say precisely that, but now looking at your post, I realize I'm not predicting anything (is postdicting a word?).

I will say that, having had tiny splinters here and there, one of the best feelings you can have is the freedom of having the damn thing gone!

Good you hear you found it.

Now go and practice.

 

[Perfessor]

I have had this issue for 25+ years. It will show up for one day and then not for a couple years. I think it is nerve damage from playing the bass, now over 53 years. I had it one day last spring and not since.

 

[waveman]

I have many issues I have to deal with when it comes to pain n my hands. I have to be mindful of how much I play Acoustic Guitar or even electric guitar and bass to a lesser degree. Anyway, I have one finger tip that hurts more than the others due to damage from working with fishing lure unstuck and the barbed hook went right across my finger. Pulling out was not easy. It randomly hurts, especially when playing a lot.

 

[Zootsuitbass]

I have had this issue for 25+ years. It will show up for one day and then not for a couple years. I think it is nerve damage from playing the bass, now over 53 years. I had it one day last spring and not since.

This is a possibility. I know of a few double bassist who had this issue.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

The pain, although in the fingertip could very possibly be from a compressed nerve in your wrist.

 

[Fynn]

The pain, although in the fingertip could very possibly be from a compressed nerve in your wrist.

Could that present itself as a sharp pain like that though? I try to keep my wrist as straight as possible.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

It’s definitely a possibility; if you see a specialist, I’d imagine there would be some sort of therapy that involves squeezing a rubber ball.

 

[Perfessor]

Could that present itself as a sharp pain like that though? I try to keep my wrist as straight as possible.

Could that present itself as a sharp pain like that though? I try to keep my wrist as straight as possible.

Yup! Does it come and go?

 

[Fynn]

Yup! Does it come and go?

Yesterday I played and it didn't really present itself. I felt like something was there, but it was very very faint. So faint that it could've been my imagination. When I do have it, it's very consistent and obvious for the entire time that I play.

 

[Lobster11]

I have had this issue for 25+ years. It will show up for one day and then not for a couple years. I think it is nerve damage from playing the bass, now over 53 years. I had it one day last spring and not since.

I don't think nerve damage would cause symptoms that occur so rarely. It happens to me every couple of years, too, and it just goes away within a week. It doesn't cause me any problems -- it's just a minor annoyance -- and I've been assuming that I'm probably getting some kind of tiny splinter-like thing in there from time to time. (Of course I should add the disclaimer than I am not a medical doctor.)

 

[raybone]

Stay hydrated. My fingertips are first thing to shrivel when I go a bit without drinking enough water. It's similar in pain to what you are describing.