How to deal with thumb arthritis

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

I would try the hand and finger exercises in Miranda Esmonde White’s Classical Stretch exercises. (Streaming on essentricstv.com). They’re really amazing and provide a lot of arthritic relief. 

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.

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

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.

dd

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

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!