Sore joint on left index finger

[Blueingreen]

I've been having problems with a stiff/sore joint on the index finger of my fretting hand. Makes it difficult to half-barre etc. I've tried taking breaks from stuff that works the finger too hard (avoiding index finger bends and the like) and this seemed to be helping but in the last couple of days it's swollen up nastily and I'm not sure I should be playing at all. Anyone any experience of dealing with this?

Also a little bit concerned it's early onset of arthritis although it's more likely just overwork - any easy way to tell?

[octatonic]

Seriously mate- go to the doctor.

I ignored a hand injury and played on top of it which made the injury much worse and I needed up having surgery.
Don't mess about with it- go to a doctor and lay off the guitar until you are seen.

[octatonic]

If there's also a numbness in your little finger, it could be the beginning of carpal tunnel.

Octatonic's advice is good and

Thanks...

if you're open to alternative remedies, a homoeopathy can help too.

and then you had to go an spoil it.

[Blueingreen]

Thanks. I think I will go to the doctor.

[koneguitarist]

I've been having problems with a stiff/sore joint on the index finger of my fretting hand. Makes it difficult to half-barre etc. I've tried taking breaks from stuff that works the finger too hard (avoiding index finger bends and the like) and this seemed to be helping but in the last couple of days it's swollen up nastily and I'm not sure I should be playing at all. Anyone any experience of dealing with this?

Also a little bit concerned it's early onset of arthritis although it's more likely just overwork - any easy way to tell?

sounded how it was for me about 10-12 years ago. I have rheumatoid arthritus, get to a doc asap, and get some blood tests done. the sooner you are diagnosed the better.
I was really struggling for a while, late 30`s , too young (i thought ) for RA but I got sorted by a very good consultant. I manage the problem, You don`t beat it but manage it.

[Grunfeld.]

If there's also a numbness in your little finger, it could be the beginning of carpal tunnel.

I dunno, a sore joint doesn't sound like carpal tunnel syndrome, and the pins & needles/ numbness in the small finger wouldn't be associated with it typically either.

A doctor or a physio would be my first port of call, well, after a guitar forum of course!

[Grunfeld.]

Numbness in the little finger and pins and needles, especially upon awakening, are exactly symptoms of carpal tunnel Grunfled.

l

Not typically though. Wrong nerve. Ulnar nerve for small finger; median for index. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually associated with median nerve compression.

But the point is, as Serious Cat says, it's best to see a GP (or I'd think for something like this a decent physio would be okay too).

[Grunfeld.]

Actually, Grunfeld, you're technically right here. Cubital nerve compression, similar to carpal tunnel, would be the condition associated with the little finger and the ulnar. I had both!

Thank you, just for tidiness it's even a little bit more nuanced than that because the nerve which supplies the small finger (called the ulnar nerve after a certain point) can be compressed anywhere along its path but compression occurs in some places more commonly than others, the cubital tunnel of the elbow can be one of those places, Guyon's canal in the hand is another, but a common source of similar symptoms arises from nerve compression in the neck.

Which is why attempting diagnosis over the internets is a bit risky because what a lot of people like to do is to attempt diagnosis by "symptom-matching" -- which, neatly, is exactly what homoeopaths and many other quacks do. And, as is said, it can be "a bit more complicated than that".

[octatonic]

Which is why attempting diagnosis over the internets is a bit risky because what a lot of people like to do is to attempt diagnosis by "symptom-matching" -- which, neatly, is exactly what homoeopaths and many other quacks do. And, as is said, it can be "a bit more complicated than that".

Exactly.

[JAYJO]

I had ulnar nerve trouble. Lasted 6 mnths. I was given a splint to wear. Like a calliper for your arm. It gets fitted and is recommended to wear as often as possible and all night(It is removeable). Possible cause can be sleeping on your arm. This affected small finger and ring finger.I was lucky mine was painless and i could wear mine on a slight angle. Just hope they dont fit yours in the superman position If youve had any previous injuries the cold can be pain.