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Post subject: Mid knuckles are sore, to much guitar playing?
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:10 am
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The middle knuckles on my fretting hand are sore the day after I jam for a bit, is it to much playing? Anyone else have that problem? :?


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:36 pm
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It sounds like you might be gripping the neck too hard. Or you may be suffering from arthritis.


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Post subject: Re: Mid knuckles are sore, to much guitar playing?
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:11 pm
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murdochart wrote:
The middle knuckles on my fretting hand are sore the day after I jam for a bit, is it to much playing? Anyone else have that problem? :?
Maybe try a Gripmaster, they're great for building up strength in the fretting hand - if not maybe you need to go to a doctor. Tell them you earn a living from playing guitar so they don't tell you to stop!

http://www.thegripmaster.co.uk/bodygm.html

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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:24 pm
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Thanks gents for your replies. When I play and my hands warm up they're right as rain. I hope it's not arthritis cause I do love playing my strat. If it is arthritis and it gets bad later on I'll raise the action and play more slide. :D


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:46 pm
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It is more likely tendonitis. How old are youi? I have a certain tendonitis condition in the middle finger of each hand called "trigger finger". Tendons that control the movements of the fingers and thumb slide through a snug tunnel of tissue created by a series of pulleys that keeps the tendon in place. The tendon can become irritated as it slips through the tunnel. As it becomes more and more irritated, the tendon may thicken, making its passage through the tunnel more difficult. The tissues that hold the tendon in place may thicken, causing the opening of the tunnel to become smaller. As a result, the tendon becomes momentarily stuck at the mouth of the tunnel as the finger is extended. A pop may be felt as the tendon slips past the tight area. This why pain and catching may be felt as the finger is moved. The cause is not always known. Trigger fingers are more common in women than men. They occur most frequently in people who are between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age. Trigger fingers are more common in people with certain medical problems, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. If symptoms are mild, resting the finger may be enough to resolve the problem. Over-the-counter pain medications can be used to relieve the pain. Splints are sometimes used to rest the finger.

A physician may choose to inject cortisone. Sometimes, the improvement is temporary and more than one injection may be needed. Injections are less likely to provide permanent relief when the triggering has been present for a long time, or if when there is an associated medical problem like diabetes.

Trigger finger is not a dangerous condition. The decision whether to proceed with surgery is a personal one, based on how severe the symptoms are. If the finger is stuck in a bent position, surgery may be recommended to prevent permanent stiffness.

The goal of surgery is to widen the opening of the tunnel so that the tendon can slide through it more easily. This is usually done on an outpatient basis. The surgery is performed through a small incision in the palm or sometimes with the tip of a needle. Usually, the fingers can be moved immediately after surgery.

Some soreness in the palm is common, but elevating the hand after surgery can help reduce swelling and pain. Recovery is usually complete within a few weeks. If the finger was quite stiff before surgery, therapy may help loosen up the finger.

I am diabetic and tried cortisone injections, but it only worked temportarily. I'm opting for surgery.


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:30 pm
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Most likely fatigue like the other guys said. I had a similar scare when my first index finger knuckle on my fret hand started hurting after I played. It definitely wasn't because of overuse since I usually play a couple times a week. I think it was tendonitis caused by repetitive motion of a pressure calibrator valve at work. Massaged the joint, took some Advil and rested the finger. Fortunately, the symptoms went away after several days, but I was very worried that my playing days were over. If your symptoms persist, see a doctor.


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:43 pm
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Sounds like gangrene and should amputated immediately :lol:

Likely some inflammation/fatigue as others have said.
Great informative post nsureit.


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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:52 am
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When anybody is asked a medical question, they say, "Gee, that sounds just like what I have!"

Tendonitis hurts all the time and doesn't get better with use: it gets worse. Cortisone injections are not the first line of treatment: a 7 to 10 day course of oral cortical steroids (prednisone), usually coupled wtih rest and followed by some physical therapy, is indicated.

This is most likely strain from overuse, although it could be the onset of arthritis. It's not likely to be carpal tunnel or ulnar tunnel syndrome, as pain or soreness isn't reported as often as tingling or numbness in certain fingers (if it's the thumb and first two fingers, it's the carpal tunnel... if it's the ring and pinky, it's ulnar tunnel, although people do suffer from both at once).

Bottom line: don't ask medical questions on a guitar forum. See a doctor, get it checked, get treated.


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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:43 pm
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Gravity Jim wrote:
When anybody is asked a medical question, they say, "Gee, that sounds just like what I have!"

Tendonitis hurts all the time and doesn't get better with use: it gets worse. Cortisone injections are not the first line of treatment: a 7 to 10 day course of oral cortical steroids (prednisone), usually coupled wtih rest and followed by some physical therapy, is indicated.

This is most likely strain from overuse, although it could be the onset of arthritis. It's not likely to be carpal tunnel or ulnar tunnel syndrome, as pain or soreness isn't reported as often as tingling or numbness in certain fingers (if it's the thumb and first two fingers, it's the carpal tunnel... if it's the ring and pinky, it's ulnar tunnel, although people do suffer from both at once).
Thanks GJ, I did check it out with the ole doc and he said it was fatigue. His exact words were, "You're playing guitar to much and to long, take a break!" I was jamming to 2 am almost every night then going to work at 8am that same morning. That strat is so hard to put down.

Bottom line: don't ask medical questions on a guitar forum. See a doctor, get it checked, get treated.


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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:21 pm
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murdochart wrote:
Thanks GJ, I did check it out with the ole doc and he said it was fatigue. His exact words were, "You're playing guitar to much and to long, take a break!" I was jamming to 2 am almost every night then going to work at 8am that same morning. That strat is so hard to put down.


Glad to hear it! That's the easiest treatment of all. :D


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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:26 pm
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For what it's worth, I used chipped ice and Absorbene Jr. (not at the same time!) as I worked through painful times. Good move getting it checked out... you can not be too careful about these things. I've read horror stories about guitar players that pushed themselves too hard too soon and they can no longer play!


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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:50 am
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Look for " Tiger Balm " in your pharmacy. I use to teach martial arts and its good for sore muscles.


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