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first let me say I am not a doctor. It just seems odd that both thumbs would develope at the same time. Have you considered repetitive movements using both thumbs you may be doing away from the piano? Typing , knitting? I ask this because have an issue with my right knee that is aggravated by driving. I’ve cut back on my driving and do some stretching and steps and walking are much easier.
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I had other health issues and prediabetes and changed my diet to low carb/keto. I used to have body aches getting out of bed and out of chairs every day, and they all went away. I don't know if it will help your arthritis. People in the community groups say that it helps some of them, and it doesn't help enough for others. The diet does help general inflammation, which triggers and worsens symptoms. Perhaps it depends on the root cause, but it's easy to try and takes just a week or two to feel the results if they are there to be had. I still have overuse injuries, especially when I tried learning/practicing booming octaves.
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Hello,
These remarks are general. I have severe arthritis with enlarged CMC joints at the base of each thumb near the wrists. Some of the other joints are enlarged, but not as painful.
The fastest pain relief is from a week of prednisone 20 mg, then taper. Used before a recital, for example,. This is not a long term solution. I have had a couple of steroid injections, which last a few months. I tried stem cells injected into thumb joints in Antigua. Exceedingly painful, expensive, not helpful. There are various glucosamine/chondroiten pills for joint health. Alleve 1 pill taken 2x a day also helps, but not recommended long term. I do daily hand exercises in air and water (pool or hot tub). Could be done in a pot of very warm water. I have a microwave heat pack with pocket that is helipful (Amazon). Tried red light therapy pad, not helpful or did not use often enough. I think a heated wax bath would help, but I have not purchased one yet. I massage and stretch hands before playing. Don't pull outward hard on thumbs the long way. When playing, I start with scales and arpeggios on piano, repeating the zones where thumbs trip. This is a better warm up than organ for my joints. In my case the left is worse. I use a jar gripper for opening. When doing hand chores such as gardening, peeling, cleaning, I limit the time and make sure not to play keyboard for several hours afterwards. Alternate right and left during chores, if possible. Ice has not been helpful. Heat can be ued after playing. Do not accidentally sit on hands when rising or sitting. Sleep with hands in neutral position, not bent or closed. Keep on playing in 2 hour practice periods. Days off cause hands to be stiffer. Keep playing! Remove rings when playing. Joint replacement would produce stiff joints not suitable for keyboard use. Best wishes.
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I am sorry to hear what happened to you.
I am not a doctor, however my left thumb hurts quite a while back, so I could share with you what I have went through.
Firstly, I consulted with a doctor and have an x-ray scan to see if it’s bone related, luckily it’s not.Then I followed up with physiotherapy; therapist introduced me to sports tape, you could ask the therapist how to apply them, or search on YouTube how to apply sports tape for thumb pain.
I assume that you are a pianist? (As this discussion is under piano community.) Try not to play anything too heavy for now, and objectively review your thumb usage to see if there’s excessive thumb movement. The Taubman approach series from tonebase could potentially help with this situation.
I wish you a speedy and healthy recovery!
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Not sure where your thumbs are arthritic. Mine both are in the basal joint. Cortisone injections help, but I finally had the right one fused. Other than a few weeks recovery, I don’t notice any impairment of motion and have no more pain on the right. The surgeon thought the left might eventually fuse itself, but I’m considering surgery on it as recovery time is now shorter and I had complete success with the right.
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Hi Janice. I, too, deal with painful thumbs that make playing octaves and thumb-under transfers uncomfortable. I have bone-on-bone in both basal joints. Cortisone injections helped at first but no longer provide relief. I use a lidocaine creme several times a day to ease the nerve pain and try not to do things that torque my thumbs. My ortho prescribed splints, but they just made my whole hands stiff so I don't use them unless I'm gardening. I do know that if I consume a high-sugar snack, I tend to have more pain, so staying away from sugar is a good start. I have been trying to avoid surgery, although Christopher's comment about fusion means I may reconsider. I suggest consulting with the best hand specialist you can find in your area to look at all alternatives. Wishing you good health and pain-free piano playing.
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Can I suggest your first point of contact is a trained professional. There are different types of arthritis and correct treatment may vary depending on what you have. GPs may be best as first point of contact but it might be you need a physiotherapist, dietician, or something else.
I sometimes suffer from gout (one form of arthritis). I manage this through diet: so less meat, seafood and more vegetables. But there are also drug treatments. And other forms of arthritis may require completely different treatment. -
Hi Janice,
I am not a physician, but I can share with you my personal experience, but please check with your physician if those recommendations are good for you:
- Simple manipulation is excellent for improving joint mobility; here is a video showing it for the toes, but I used it for my injured pinkly finger, and it was excellent! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjCx48AQDzM
- A natural supplement that includes Glucosamine,MSM, and Chondroitin might be a good option for osteoarthritis.
Again, please check with your physician if those suggestions apply to you.
Feel better soon!
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As an 83-year-old classical hobbyist and physician, I have been dealing with this for many years. Other than traditional medication from a qualified rheumatologist you can try some topical anti-inflammatory agents. I just used hot soaks and considerable massage maneuvers. Clenching and unclenching the fingers in hot water and generally throughout the dayhelps. Some hand specialists have a few specific exercises.
Rodney
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Hi, I am so very sorry you are going through this. I went through something similar about 4 years ago and it was dreadful. My issue turned out not to be arthritis but tendonitis of the thumb also called “De Quervain's tenosynovitis”. It’s an overuse injury. I tried physical therapy but it didn’t work for me. I took my doctor’s advice and got a cortisone shot right under the thumb joint ( not as painful as it sounds!) and after about 4 weeks all the pain was gone. Please consult with your dr but check to make sure you get the proper diagnosis. Best of luck.
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There can be several different causes of pain within the thumb or nearby, and a general practitioner may well identify the most likely diagnosis after taking a history and performing a physical examination. They may then suggest a course of treatment. An X-ray can sometimes be helpful, but may not always be needed, and may be non-contributory. If no solution is found, a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist (some have special expertise in the hand) could be consulted.
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Boy, do I ever! I wear a thumb splint at night at that helps a lot. See an orthopedist to get some Meloxicam, which is a prescription NSAID. Take turmeric and glucosamine. Consider thumb cortisone injections (I had some 10 years ago and they held the pain at bay until only very recently). Make sure your piano technique is in tip-top shape (no tension at all), and consider taking a break until you're diagnosed and the pain is under control. Minimize cell phone use. That might be what's actually causing the pain. Good luck!
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Hello Janice,
I'm sorry to hear about your thumb and pain interfering (I assume) with your music making and activities of daily living. You have received a lot of good advice from others. Unfortunately your complaints are not uncommon. There are many possible causes and the treatments and expected outcomes are dependent on the cause. I am a physician who deals with joints and arthritis. I am also a pianist who has problems with my thumbs. My suggestion is that you should see a specialist, as most primary care (general practice) physicians are not sufficiently trained in dealing with this (though they see it often). A hand specialist (orthopedic, rheumatologist, physiatrist) is a good start. Perhaps your primary care physician can suggest someone. I also agree with reviewing the Taubman exercises and lessons here on Tonebase. I have found them very helpful. Hopefully they may be beneficial for you as well.
I wish you well and trust you will find some improvement. We would like to hear you make music for us here on Tonebase someday.
Ed
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Hi Janice! I'm sorry to know about pain in your thumbs. In 2012, after a severe health crisis, I found a practice called Jin Shin Jyutsu. It originated in Japan many thousands of years ago and was revived and given-in the early 20th century- a new approach by a Japanese man called Jiro Murai. Then a young American/Japanese woman travelled to Japan in the early 1940's and learned this amazing "Phyisio-philosophy" as they like to call it. JSJ practice have a lot of information about self-help practices that are easy and effective. The association created by Mary Burmeister is in Scottsdale, Arizona. They have a list of practitioners. Look for JSJinc.net for the Scottsdale office. I practice JSJ self -help on me almost everyday. I can assure you that it works. It keeps you in harmony and full of energy while it helps you to get rid of the discomfort or pain you have. It's wonderful!
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First off, I have to thank everyone who answered from the bottom of my heart. This is a wonderful, creative, compassionate community and I'm so fortunate to be part of it.
I never dreamed I would have a pain problem in my hands, but I was getting fitted for a splint for carpal tunnel and the therapist noticed something about my thumbs. I have knee arthritis that requires a surgical replacement, which is scheduled for the Fall. I have had cortisone injections in my thumbs, but I also had them for my knee, and was told once or twice is OK, but it rapidly accelerates joint degeneration. The odd thing about joint pain anywhere is that some days I have no pain at all while others it is debilitating, especially the knee and I dread limping around to do chores, walking when it flares up like that.
I will definitely try that holistic practice and take tumeric and curcumin. Currently I take alpha lipoic acid capsules, which is supposed to be great for inflammation.
Bless you all for your kindness and generosity.