My Arthritic Left Hand.

hot ford coupe · #1 04-08-2011, 05:37 PM

Well, it looks like it finally happened. Yesterday while I played a gig, my left hand was hurting so much, I had to stop and drop my action down as far as it could go. I thought if I worked my hand a bit more, I'd strengthen it but playing made it more difficult. After the action was dropped, I was able to finish the gig without too much trouble. Is anyone else out there having the same problem i.e. increased pain while playing action you've set for quite a while? I'm dreading the day that I'll have to go to a set of lighter strings. That really takes the starch out of my axe's tone and volume.

tonedeaf · #2 04-08-2011, 07:35 PM

I have arthritis in my right hand, so picking rythm and speed are an issue. Ice helps (I am typing with one hand right now because the other hand is in an ice bag) and cortesone injections make it much better for varying periods of time. Eventually I will have to have the joint cleaned up and the cartilage replace with a piece of "borrowed" tendon. Six week rehab.

That said, if the pain started suddenly, I would think tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome is the more likely cause. Both are easier to deal with. Get to the doctor and find out what is really wrong.

hot ford coupe · #3 04-08-2011, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the advice, tonedeaf but I already know it's osteoarthritis diagnosed a long time ago. It definitely didn't start suddenly but has been building up for many years. It's just the last year or so that it got this uncomfortable. I have a long history of arthritis secondary to joint overuse. It's the reason I had to quit weight lifting, sports and running. I used to be a speed walker and now I have bionic hips. My lower spine has so much arthritis and so many bone spurs that the doctor couldn't even get a needle in between the vertebral joint surfaces to inject the cortisone. The hand has been a lot quieter since I lowered the action last night but it sounded so much better with the higher action. I guess you could say I'm just looking for some commiseration so I don't feel like I'm alone in this. I'm about to turn 61 and I just don't like turning into an old fart.

jazzrat · #4 04-09-2011, 07:37 AM

Yup, I have an immune system disorder that shows up with arthritis and connective tissue symptoms. I've had to go to light strings and low action.
There is a compromise of tone, but I'd rather play pain free.

ah.clem · #5 04-09-2011, 10:48 AM

I recently had an eye-opening experience along these lines. I started playing again a few years ago (bass and piano) after many years off and about six months ago I decided it was time to learn to play CM. I acquired a Fifth Ave and put mediums on it and it sounded great, but after a few days I had a lot of pain in my left wrist, hand and fingers. I switched to using my classical for a week and then my flat top with lights and the pain gradually went away. So, I guess I'll have to go back to lights on the archtop. I've dealt with osteoarthritis for the last 10 years and my hands were always pretty much OK, but the mediums really did me in. Interestingly enough, my bass and piano playing is pretty much unaffected, so I still have lots of fall-backs as I continue to get older. It's a bitch to have bodies that give out way before the brain does.

wizard3739 · #6 04-09-2011, 11:57 AM

I know that guy well and he gets to me after a 3-4 hour gig. I don't have an answer but I sympathize with your problem. I know my time for playing is limited and I now wear a brace for my right arm problem (tendonitus, I think). The doctor called it "tennis elbow" but I have renamed it "amplifier elbow". He also told me it was probably permanent so I always wear the brace and can't lift with my right arm. The only problem for playing guitar is I can't play some of the chords that require me to stretch and I can't play as fast as I would like. As time goes by, my music plan is to do more writing, less playing and probably no more gigs.
Hopefully that time won't come for a few more years.

wiz

jazzrat · #7 04-09-2011, 02:57 PM

There are some ergonomic adjustments than can help.
For instance I use 10-46 strings (11 & 14 on top) on my
Heritage 575 which makes it play very easily, but I just got a Soloway Gosling
Carvetop which is smaller, lighter and has a very serviceable jazz tone on days
I don't feel like using the 575.

hot ford coupe · #8 04-09-2011, 03:36 PM

Thanks for all the great comments. Hey Wizard, I've dealt with that "amplifier elbow" before and believe me he's no friend of mine. I wore that brace on my right arm for a year and a half and had to quit lifting a Fender Twin for something under 25 lbs. I've got the same problem with the stretches so I can sympathize there. As I stretch my hand for longer chords, the pain starts in and there goes that. The fortunate thing is I don't make my living by playing. I play because I love the guitar and love the kind of music she makes. Giving up the guitar would be like sending my wife packing because she forgot to buy milk. Makes no sense.

tonedeaf · #9 04-10-2011, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hot ford coupe

Thanks for the advice, tonedeaf but I already know it's osteoarthritis diagnosed a long time ago. It definitely didn't start suddenly but has been building up for many years. It's just the last year or so that it got this uncomfortable. I have a long history of arthritis secondary to joint overuse. It's the reason I had to quit weight lifting, sports and running. I used to be a speed walker and now I have bionic hips. My lower spine has so much arthritis and so many bone spurs that the doctor couldn't even get a needle in between the vertebral joint surfaces to inject the cortisone. The hand has been a lot quieter since I lowered the action last night but it sounded so much better with the higher action. I guess you could say I'm just looking for some commiseration so I don't feel like I'm alone in this. I'm about to turn 61 and I just don't like turning into an old fart.

Sorry to hear. Fortunately, so far, my arthritis is mostly just annoying and I should be able to play for a lot longer. But I do have a seriously screwed up back that has forced me to give up many activities.

And, while getting old is a reality, I like to think that "old fart" is an attitude. For me the best anti-old fart remedy is working with little kids, I love it and I feel great emotionally even if a bunch of body parts hurt. Go find some kids and teach them how to play -- it's worthwhile and theraputic at the same time.

Good luck and BTW, I am just a little older than you.