I’ve talked a bit about this before but the problem had not moved to my middle finger which I use for the primary striking in my right hand. I have an osteoarthritis condition that forms these bony nodules in the joints at the very tip of each finger. They’re called Herberdens Nodes. The best I can say is that it winds up looking like an “old person” hand with a sphere at the joint. It started in my little finger then the index then the ring and now sadly the middle finger. It takes about a year for one to form and in that time period it feels like an ice pick stabbing even when typing or pushing a button. I take ibuprofen and other anti inflammatory and pain meds otc. While I was at Midwest banjo camp one of the people I got to know was a hand surgeon and while talking about banjo and other aspects he nodded and said “yes there is no way to mitigate it other than pain meds”. Once the node fully forms after a year or so the pain is all gone. It wasn’t a problem until it moved into my middle finger and it’s really starting to impact daily playing.
I am reaching out to any other banjo players who have experienced this and what their strategy was while the node formed. After it’s all solid I think I’ll be fine but playing through it is tough. For those who have never seen it, Google “wicked witch Snow White hands” and you will see the caricature cartoon view of the condition. I’m looking for what other banjo players who have faced this age related condition have done to help them get through playing. I have a doc but he is not a banjo player.
Thanks anyone who can share.
Is that the same as a bone spur?
Orthopedic appointment for x-ray. To manage the pain a procedure takes only a few minutes. The specialist will inject cortisone , a synthetic version of the body's natural hormone cortisol. This procedure Suppresses inflammation and relieves pain. The x-ray ensures guidance and precise placement of the needle. Yes, you will be numbed but you will be glad you did it.....its amazing.
The NSAIDS that you take suppress the very enzymes that rebuild cartilage. The thyroid puts calcium in the bones, the para-thyroids take calcium out. It is a balance act. Most MDs won't do a full panel test on these endocrine glands or know what to do about some of the causes such as nutrition imbalances. You need a good holistic doctor to work with. Best! banjered
Free medical advice is worth exactly what it costs.
I've had those cortisone shots in my right finger joint and 1: it's extremely painful and 2 so far, it's helping and allowing me to use the finger without a lot of pain. Need to do the same in the left hand, but so far it hasn't been so bad that I can't live with it.
Check with your doctor (if you haven't) and see if there's a hand specialist in your area. He/she can check out the hand/fingers and decide what would be best for you.
I am not a Dr. but I did see Dr Ralph Stanley on a few occasions. Boy, did it help with all my ailments!
Oh yeah, you are gonna want a holistic doctor. They use alternative (to) medicine.
Supplements, take these-- all of them I guess, as they boost wellness and support the immune system or mobility or joint health. Attributes seem to be somewhat arbitrary so just make up whatever you want them to cure and vaguely write it on the bottle.
Detox. What specific toxins? Don't worry about it. If you are lucky you might get a natural cleanse courtesy of lettuce.
"Inflammation" is something important to reduce. So, reduce that.
These statements have not been evaluated by anyone. This advice is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent any disease, or even do anything.
Seriously though, likely not the best idea to ask medical advice on a special interest website dedicated to playing banjo.
It wasn’t specific advice. I was actually asking other sufferers what they did to keep playing and ease the pain. I have a doc and as I mentioned a hand surgeon at banjo camp explained the problem. But it was hurting so much was curious who may have had this happen as they get older and then what they did to manage the pain and keep playing. I don’t mind the gradually forming crooked fingers but it does feel like an ice pick.
quote:
Originally posted by John YerxaFree medical advice is worth exactly what it costs.
And paid medical advice is always "Safe and Effective".
Again, not asking for medical advice or a discussion of the authority of the medical industry. What I assumed is that there might be a few people out there with this condition of stabbing ice pick finger pain in the tips of their fingers while the joints build bone around the degraded cartilage and it takes about a year or so per joint. I have a doc but I was asking if anyone was a player and they had found things that worked for them to save me the time of trial and error myself. So far a hot parrafin hand dip hasn’t helped much while the OTC pain meds seem to take the edge offf. If no one else has the problem or didn’t find anything that helped with the prob I’m also good. My own doc and a hand surgeon at Midwest banjo camp both said that there really isn’t a way to slow the disease or the progression and the pain should stop after the bone growth occurs. But if any sufferers said “I was able to play though the pain by trying XYZ” then I appreciate it the suggestion. My mom certainly had the nodule growth and my sisters do too. I’m in late 50s which is when it seems to occur. But I love to play banjo and the pain is quite intense and sharp. If there were any strategies for mitigating it while playing I certainly appreciate the suggestions while I also do my own trial and error.
You might try a magnesium spray product created for pain relief of muscle soreness. I used it foran unusable site finger and was surprised at the instant relief. I don’t know what was causing the pain, but it seemed to be in my finger joint.I had heard that it’s something that athletes use and so tried it. Musicians also use it.
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