Finger Joint Pain?

My index finger on my fretting hand has been giving me trouble lately. When I bend it so as to make a first-position C major chord, the knuckle closest to my fingernail feels sore. I'm 55 and arthritis runs in my family, but this is the first joint pain I can remember. It's not so bothersome that I have to stop playing, but I've been noticing it for several weeks now.

Any diagnoses and remedies are welcome!

[Sarasin]

I've been having issues with my thumb on my left hand. Sometimes I adjust by playing partial chords when I can.

[tadol]

You might try some hand lotion with a little willow bark (essentially aspirin) in it - I get it from the Body Shoppe (which I think may be Body Time now), but you might be able to find it at a shop near you - I rub it into my fingers when they get sore, and it does help some -

[papat]

Don't want to get personal......what is your nut width?
Mine popped (you could actually hear it) at the same location years ago........had me quite concerned for a spell and eventually went away. PTL
Don't push it for a while...stretch religiously every time before you play.
Start young.
Papa T

[Silly Moustache]

I have many hand and other joint problems. Todol suggested some linements - and one that my bass player recommended to me was a gel called Devils Claw which certainly does ease pain for some time.

The other thing that I use is something called "Voltarol" gel which also reduces inflammation.

Papat raised a valid issue of nut width - I haven't been able to use the thin (1 & 11/16") nut width since 1999 - and have settled on 1 & 13/16" (ideal) to 1 &7/8" still comfortable.

[sam.spoons]

IIRC Volterol is not recommended for fingers (though how you avoid getting it on them while applying it to other parts escapes me) and toes. I have had some finger joint pain this year (and wrist/forearm/shoulder trouble) but I have played acoustic a lot since getting my two new guitars in spring. Combined with sailing and windsurfing I guess I've just overdone things a bit. I take a lowish dose of ibuprofen if I feel there need (as I do when I have back trouble after a heavy duty) PA job) and seem to be settling down now though and I haven't stopped playing.

Many swear by cod liver oil and glucostamine so I'll probably try that.

[Mikejw]

I sometimes get the same problem. I keep on top of it by backing off a bit and giving it some rest. As soon as I notice it I reduce my playing and play tunes that don't put too much pressure on that joint. I've noticed that certain chords or awkward movements cause it. In my case it clears up if I do that. You could also consider lighter strings as well.

[roylor4]

Willie, I'm 52 and a former competitive powerlifter and martial artist - I now make my living as a licensed Massage Therapist. As you might imagine, hand and joint stiffness are no stranger to me. All the suggestions above have merit.

I would also add that soaking your hands in a sink full of hot water for a couple of minutes really helps me with stiffness and soreness - especially in the morning.

[The Bard Rocks]

Try heating it up before playing. A simple way would be to use hot water, just soak it for a few minutes beforehand. Use dishwashing gloves if you don't want your calluses softened. Physical therapy places have these containers filled with hot beads that do the trick and do not soften you hands in the process.

[catdaddy]

Willie: As a pharmacist I admit that it's difficult to know at this point whether this could be the onset of arthritis of a chronic and progressive type (you mention family history of that) or whether it might just be a minor strain or injury that you've sustained during some activity unrelated to guitar.

If it is an injury the best course would be to rest it and allow some healing to take place. Pain in this case is a warning from your body to rest. If it happens to be the onset of arthritis (something from which I suffer in hands and wrists) then rest will not be curative or perhaps even palliative. If it is the more common 'osteo' type of arthritis then a stretching regimen can be quite helpful. Osteoarthritic joints tend to get a bit "frozen" and stretching will help to "loosen" and allow for better range of motion of the joint. Applying moist heat to the joint can also provide some relief.

Depending on your general health and medication status it can also be quite helpful to take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent to help with pain, stiffness and swelling. Because of the osteoarthritis in my hands and wrists I often take some Ibuprofen before practicing for long periods of time or when performing. It makes a huge difference in my ability to play. Other non-prescription anti-inflammatories include Naproxen Sodium and Aspirin among others. Taking any of these medications for extended periods of time should involve a discussion with your doctor or pharmacist regarding potential interactions and adverse effects.

Hope that helps and you can get this situation under control.

Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments and helpful suggestions.

Papat's nut width mention has some merit, as I *seem* to notice the pain more on my 1 11/16" Martin than my 1.72" Gibson, but this may be my imagination.

I'll certainly take a look at some of the topical remedies, stretches, and anti-inflammatory medications suggested here.

I noticed today that when I press down on top of the knuckle I feel the same soreness as when I play. It's possible that I've sustained some injury unrelated to playing, as catdaddy surmised.

Again, thank you for all the ideas.

[buzzardwhiskey]

Folks have given some good advice here.

I've tried practically every liniment (I was a massage therapist) and most supplements (I have arthritis). Most of my pain relief concentrates on 4 areas:

1) Ibuprofen
2) Heat before to help loosen and cold after to reduce swelling
3) Regular exercise
4) Vitamin D supplement

[Riverwolf]

If I had all the money that I spent over the years on OTC supplements and witches brews...
I would own several top tier instruments.
Still, some do appear to help in the early stages of arthritis.
Once a joint is in the advanced degenerative stage, in my opinion they are worthless.
Next hurdle is where to purchase them? Supplements are not cheap.
Both Walmart and GNC have been sued for selling less than advertised on the label.

[sjino]

I had the same thing. Flared up every now and then for years, and then it stopped going away. Got so bad I had to stop playing in the band at church because I could no longer make fast changes and barre chords.

Mine happened to be in the knuckle of my index finger and not the joint. I went to a couple of hand specialists, and one finally correctly diagnosed it as arthritis. (He could see it on the xray where the first dr missed it.)

Before that, I tried immobilizing it (buddy taping it to the adjacent finger) on the recommendation of the first doctor. Didn't do a thing. OTC meds helped a little, but the pain mainly came on when I played guitar or similar activities.

The second doctor gave me a steroid injection in the knuckle. This was back in April, and I haven't had ANY pain at all since them, even when I play a lot. If it doesn't go away on its own, please see a doctor.

A friend of mine swears by medicinal hemp oil, but I haven't tried it.

Best wishes. I hope you get your pain under control.

[LadyGaia]

I started experiencing joint pain as I was learning to play bass, and it didn't show any signs of letting up. Around the same time I had a food allergy panel done using a blood sample (none of the skin pricks required!) and cut out a number of foods that were problematic. The pain faded and hasn't returned since.

YMMV of course, as inflammation can be have any number of causes, but it's another possible avenue for exploration.