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BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question???
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BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? |
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Subject: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Bobert Date: 08 Jan 12 - 10:21 AM Both of my thumbs are arthritic but my left one is shot... Yeah, I can play geetar with it but with pain and there are things I flat out don't do any more... I'm going to see a hand specialist but kinda like to know if anyone else has had problems and what kinds of things help and what are a waste of time... Immobilizing, which I have done, seems to be a waste of time for me... I've Googled it up and seen "The Operation"... Looks purdy grusome... I know that cortisone shots are supposed to help but for how long??? Any advice/info will be greatly appreciated... B~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Bill D Date: 08 Jan 12 - 10:57 AM The hand specialist will figger out just what the problem is. Cortisone is to reduce swelling..(I had it done in my spine!...it helped a lot) Cortisone won't help if the problem is that there is no 'cushion' of cartilage in the joint, thus nothing for cortisone to do. The 'operation' depends on who does it and with what techniques. There is artificial 'cushioning' stuff, if I remember right. Thing is, they have to not mess up the muscles & ligaments that make the thumb work while they try to fix it.... and there are VERY good surgeons these days who do all sorts of tricks. (I suppose suggesting you do lots of bottleneck guitar won't help much... :>( |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: katlaughing Date: 08 Jan 12 - 11:15 AM My right thumb base had been out of commission for months, x-rays showed no signs of arthritis. The pain was/is nigh on unbearable. It is a long flexor (it works like a pulley) which had been stretched, over-used, and inflamed. I went to a hand therapist on doc's orders, (still am going) got ultrasound treatments and gentle, careful exercises, simple ones, but was first told to RICE it, Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. Mainly I had to quit using it on the trackball! It has taken a long time, almost a year, but it is finally getting better. I still wear a soft splint, looks like a mini-sock open at both ends, on it (medical supply places have them) which keeps me from over-extending, using it in a bad way. I still cannot grip with it, easily, but there is improvement. I may even be able to drive again, soon, I hope! So far, haven't been able to turn the key and unhook the seatbelt. Some days, the end joint will still lock into place and I have to manually bend it with my other hand. I'd be sure tog et plenty of opinions before ever thinking of surgery and cortisone never did much good for me on other parts. It never lasted very long, either. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Bob the Postman Date: 08 Jan 12 - 01:29 PM I've got the same thing, brought on by years of gripping overly large handfuls of letters and aggravated by guitar playing. I wore an immobilizing sprint for a while but it didn't really seem to improve things. At best it prevents you from doing things with your thumb which will hurt. Massage seems to help though, the more painful the better, of course. Hopefully your specialist can show you some techniques. Rolling a golfball between the balls of the thumbs is one. Don't let them hard-sell you an operation just because it's the only tool in their box. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: katlaughing Date: 08 Jan 12 - 02:10 PM They even gave me some "MicroFresh putty" for some strengthening exercises as I improved. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: JennieG Date: 08 Jan 12 - 04:17 PM A chiropractor told Himself it was called "Old Man's Thumb".....but as we both have it (although mine is much worse in the left thumb since I broke my wrist/arm a couple of years ago, the plaster-immobilisation seems to have exacerbated it) perhaps it should be called "Olde Pharte's Digit". Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: ollaimh Date: 08 Jan 12 - 07:45 PM now no chure fixes everything but i always tell other musiciasns about my cure. i had terrible tenosynivitus in my hands from too much playing. almost everybody said it was aging and nothing coulod be done. i met a masseuse and reiki practioner and she did reiki and taught me a set of hand exercises. they are the hand movements from tai chi. i do them a couple of times a week, and every day when i am busking everyday. and presto for the last twenty years no hand problems!!!! you first: hold your hands up comfortable and rotate the wrists gently a few times, then fold all the fingers as a group. then fold(or bend) each finger individually rhythymically. then push out from in front of your chin into the air with a little grace, then repeat. not too strenuous, several times a session, and a couple of times a day. it worked wonders with me!!! if you can nget a little reiki treatment as well, but i have told many musicians and most had inprovement and some total healing--just like me. i used to look silly riding the subway doing these excercises but i could play ten hours a day during the holidays without pain. good luck |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Bobert Date: 08 Jan 12 - 07:54 PM Thanks, ollaimh... I will check into this reiko treatment right now on Google... B~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Bobert Date: 08 Jan 12 - 07:56 PM Nuthin'... B~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: katlaughing Date: 08 Jan 12 - 10:47 PM That's because it's ReikI, Bobert.:-) I, heartily recommend tai chi and qi gong movements, too. Check out LeeHolden's site. He's got five minute free videos to help relieve stress, etc. I have three of his DVDs. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Bobert Date: 08 Jan 12 - 10:51 PM The 2nd link didn't work... BTW, I used to do tai chi exercises a long time ago... B~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Rapparee Date: 09 Jan 12 - 08:33 PM Bobert, you might have de Quervains Disease. A good physical therapist or hand specialist can make a diagnosis. Since this affects women 8 to 10 times more than men, you now got a grip on what wimminz want. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Rapparee Date: 09 Jan 12 - 08:33 PM Oh, yeah -- my wife was diagnosed with that just today. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: Bobert Date: 09 Jan 12 - 08:51 PM So, Rap, lemme see if I have this right??? If I got the de Quervainz and then get treated that after I is healed that I'll unnerstand womenz??? Where do I sign up??? B~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: katlaughing Date: 09 Jan 12 - 10:45 PM Fixed the link, sorry about that. Time to brush up on your tai chi?:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: GUEST Date: 10 Jan 12 - 01:13 AM I'm being treated now for overuse syndrome on my left wrist/arm, from moving. I already knew before I went in that it was overuse; had the smae thing (40) years ago when I started guitar lessons -- whaling away every day with a big grin on my face, then not being able to play at all -- of course none of us is qualified to give you medical advice, just what has worked for us arthritis (I know) doesn't help the situation any I basically strained several muscles in my wrist/arm, yes, including the tensor; a biggie -- chiropractor worked it some, loosening the muscles and their entry points to bone; showed me how to massage the musclex "across the grain" and how to work the hands, especially the thumb, gently, to restore range of motion wo pain good luck |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: GUEST,MAG Date: 10 Jan 12 - 01:14 AM oops; that was me -- gotta check that cookie every time -- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis Question??? From: DianeV Date: 10 Jan 12 - 01:38 PM My husband also has arthritis, and had the joint replacement surgery on his left hand a year ago this month. He has not been happy with the results. Though he has less pain, his range of motion is also less than on his "bad" right hand, even after several months of follow-up physical therapy. If you have specific questions for him, I'll have him answer here. |
