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For some months now I've been having trouble with stiffness in my LH index finger & recently it's interfered with me playing chords on my guitar (melody lines, no problem). I finally went to the doc's today & have been told that it's wear & tear, leading to a mild form of arthritis - no cure!!! Probably been brought on by playing too many chords!

Remedy, of sorts, is an anti-inflammatory gel & manipulation under warm water befiore I start playing. Getting an X-ray next week just to make sure it's nothing more serious.

Anyone else experienced this?

I've been taking Glucosamine daily for ages. It's not a cure, but a preventative. So far, no problems.

I too suffer from an arthritic problem usually at the base of my thumb on my right hand which impedes plectrum dexterity, sometime freezing up completely .
Its all great fun with parts wearing out. Perhaps my parents should have invested in an extended warranty

Regards creakingly Brian (Registered Ancient Monument) Clark

I have a doctor's appointment next week as I have a slight swelling and discomfort in the middle joint of my right-hand middle finger. Although I've had this for 2-3 months now it hasn't given me any guitar playing problems. Let's see what the doc says.

Martin.

JimTidmarsh wrote: trouble with stiffness in my LH index finger

Out of interest, do you do a lot of barre chords in your rhythm playing?

Ray

RayL wrote:Out of interest, do you do a lot of barre chords in your rhythm playing?

Ray

Funnily enough, barre chords aren't a problem. The most painful (& hardest) are open chords E, A, A7, D, Dmaj7.

ecca wrote:Anti inflammatory tablets ?
Naprosyn
Arthrotec
Ibuprofen etc

Thanks, Ecca - I will try them. The doc suggested Voltarol gel - it's stronger than Ibuleve which I've used previously.

I have had this for about 3 years now, the ring finger on my right hand is swollen and I cannot bend it very well, at times it can be painful.
I take glucosamine sulphate tablets and also cod liver oil capsules and I have one of those magnetic copper bracelets. It doesn't seen to get better but these things may stop it from getting worse.
Also the middle finger on my left hand started bending about four years ago which can make some chords difficult to play. I have retired from gigging now and I don't think I could keep it up at a whole gig without making mistakes due to this problem. I just play at home now for short periods.
I got my bracelet on line from here. http://www.copper-bracelets.com/shop/customer/home.php

I got arthritis... believe it or not there are over 200 different types ! My first fingers last joint are my main problem making some 1st position chords like C difficult . I can play the lead lines in Shads music OK though thankfully . It is often the result of inflammation and I find I get worse whn colds and flu are about as the immune system gets more active and hence inflammation. I think Cod liver oil (Vit D and omega oils) is good . Some foods help and some like Pinapple are anti inflammatory. I cut sugar from my diet and lost weight and that helped also. I cannot take asprin and Ibrupropen as it affects my stomach. Good days bad days !