Arthuritis

[Iain Purdon]

Does anyone have any tips?

The little finger on my left hand is now permanently painful with arthritis so that fretting with it now hurts. Medication does not help.

Are there any devices you can attach to an offending finger to stop it hurting when you use it? Or do I have to learn only to use the fingers that still work?!

Happy New Year!

Iain

[Paul Childs]

I have had trouble with playing in the last couple of years due to arthritis and can now only play for about half an hour at a time.
I have arthritis in my middle finger and it is also bending a bit and now it keeps catching on my ring finger which makes it difficult to change chords at times.
I have found that cod liver oil capsules and glucosamine sulphate tablets both from Asda have reduced the pain a lot.

[Twang46]

Hi Iain

I'm a fellow sufferer and sadly there is no cure as it is a degenerative disease that sadly affects very many of us to some degree.

My personal opinion after many years of being affected (about 20) is that only Cod Liver oil (the extra strength with omega) has any real effect, with Gluco/Chondo tablets/creams helping with the pain only.

Surgery is possible in some cases but there is one very positive thing you can do to help.....KEEP PLAYING !!!!!......the old adage "use it or lose it" applies here and just getting on with playing as well as you can will help to postpone the day when you have to stop playing

Good luck

Dick.

[51 Relic]

Hi Ian

I have the same condition and a find Nurofen Gel works if used every day .But if i stop playing i find the pain increases so a try play at least an hour a day if poss

Cheers Nigel

[JimTidmarsh]

Voltarol gel is stronger than most & is available without prescription.

[Iain Purdon]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm particularly heartened at being advised to keep playing as the temptation is not to risk making it worse!

[ecca]

You can get plectra that clip onto the thumb so that all you have to do is wag it about.
If you pack it in it'll seize up. Persevere.

[Bluesnote]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm particularly heartened at being advised to keep playing as the temptation is not to risk making it worse!

Just look at the Les Paul video of I think his 90th birthday concert. His hands were really bad with arthritis but he's kept it all going right up to the end.
Not been troubled with arthritis on my hands myself but I believe you need to keep doing some kind of excercise to keep them moving. When my mother developed it my sister got her to do some knitting to keep the circulation going to the area. It seemed to help her.
Hugh.

P.S. I'm not suggesting for one minute that you take up knitting you understand

[Iain Purdon]

There are worthy gentlemen who will say that my playing can sound like knitting, so I'll get in first!

Will consult a physio on exercises I think

[Fiesta red]

Google... The acid test for arthritis (telegraph) Many people say that apple cider vinegar has benefits for arthritis sufferers. It has helped me,but should be raw cider vinegar with mother for best results. Can be sourced at Bobby's Healthy shop Devon. Best of luck!