Hand Issue

Rob63

Make It Your Own
I'm hoping posting this in the General Music area is the right place. I'm 64 and having been playing for years and recently, the last month I have been experiencing a "numbness" in the middle finger of both hands but more-so in my left/fretting hand. I have had opinions of carpal tunnel and a pinched nerve in neck. It has coincided with lawn mowing season so possible injury from pushing mower? My reason for posting this is I'm wondering if others have experienced this? Is does not affect my playing dexterity so I'm confident in ruling out carpal tunnel. My fretting hand middle finger feels like when you jam a finger for lack of a better anology. Thanks for any opinions/re[lies.
Rob
 

sdbrit68

Student Of The Blues
Sadly, we get older....................I am starting to understand the phrase "Youth is wasted on the young". I recently had issues in my thumb and wrist, 75 gallons of blood draw later, beginnings of RA.

Since it has been a month, that is excessive for anything, I would say a E-mail to your doctor is in order, of course ice at night. I am a less drugs in my system the better kind of guy, so I am seeing a specialist for stretching exercises and hand therapy, as well as diet changes and stuff.

If you have medical insurance, no reason not to use it and have it checked
 

Dr. Ron

Nuthin’ But The Blues!
Sorry to hear about you problem Rob. Neck origin or carpal tunnel are both possibilities. If your symptoms are mild, if no
prior history, and after only one month of symptoms, I would use common sense approach first and try to cut back on possible aggravating activities.
Ice, anti-inflammatory meds, even a wrist splint might be helpful. Certainly a visit to your doctor is in order if no
improvement for a thorough workup.
 
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ChrisKessling

Blues Newbie
Hi Rob, I have something similar for several years now in the index finger of my left hand mainly and toes of both feet, which gets worse when I have long morning walks. Similar age also. I have been to the doctors, had scans and xrays but nothing much shows up, a bit sus around C4 and C5 and L4 and L5 of the spine (I think that is what they are described as) but basically told live with it. Bit of a pain to put up with but not much I can do about it. Since I am only learning to play speed is never going to be a strong point with me at my age and lack of skill. A nip of bourbon seems to help.
Cheers
Chris
 

Rob63

Make It Your Own
Doc says definitely not carpal tunnel, he thinks a tendon issue. Went to physio and she says she can "feel a bump" where tendon is rubbing and gave me exercises/stretches one that is painful. The response about vaccination was interesting as a friend said he had heard similar stories. This started after first dose and had second a couple of weeks ago so if it is the root cause like Hangnman had hopefully it's on the mend soon. Thx for the replies.
 

Elwood

Blues
Rob, I wonder if a ganglion cyst could be at fault? Also known as a "bible bump" (I guess in the old days folks would treat them by smashing them with a large book, a bible works) they can cause a ton of fun. Mine got real big and I could not hang on to my right grip while riding bike, tough especially on descents. I have it operated on once by a hand specialist (years ago now) and it has never gotten to be that much of a problem again (it gets big now and then, oh well).
Your pushing the mower thing could aggravate it, if you have one. The hand specialist that treated me showed the images. Synovial fluid leaks from a "defect" and pools and congeals in strange tentacle like forms. When these wrap around a nerve, you get bad data from that nerve. If that is the case a hand doc will spot it right away.

I play between that and arthritis with a couple of old injuries on the side. I'm still lucky! I would rather play with that stuff, than not play and be free of those maladies. :Beer:

All the best!!! :Beer::Beer::Beer:
 
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ChrisGSP

Blues Journeyman
Rob, I wonder if a ganglion cyst could be at fault? Also known as a "bible bump" (I guess in the old days folks would treat them by smashing them with a large book, a bible works) they can cause a ton of fun.

check out this video - you only need to watch minute or so to see an example on his right wrist.

https://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/viewtopic.php?t=125373

But it's worth watching the whole thing, just to see some superb guitar playing (y)(y)(y)
 

Elwood

Blues
That's ugly! Mine was smaller and on the inside. Still had me dropping things, I would think I had (something light) it and just be amazed as it left my weak grasp. All the small motor stuff went south too. Just a thought.
 

artyman

Fareham UK
I had one a couple years ago, only small, but on a finger joint of my fretting hand. Caused by stress on the joint. A visit to the Doc who sai it was a non urgent matter and 12 months wait for surgery. I was contemplating puncturing it having watched some YouTube videos, however it disappeared as suddenly as it came.
 

Rob63

Make It Your Own
The culprit has turned out to be stenosing tenosynovitis or "trigger finger". Have been to physio a few times for stretching/massage exercises and the nodule at the base of my middle finger is now gone. It is still swollen in the morning and "clicking" but at least it's not locked in a closed position. Being my fretting hand it was cause for alarm but now I'm back to sounding like a blues legend in my own mind! ;-)
 

sdbrit68

Student Of The Blues
The culprit has turned out to be stenosing tenosynovitis or "trigger finger". Have been to physio a few times for stretching/massage exercises and the nodule at the base of my middle finger is now gone. It is still swollen in the morning and "clicking" but at least it's not locked in a closed position. Being my fretting hand it was cause for alarm but now I'm back to sounding like a blues legend in my own mind! ;-)

so good to hear
 
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