Could Mandolin Playing Cause Swollen Thumb Joints?

[Carolie]

I'm playing every other day for 20-30 minutes. I have the problem that the upper joint in both thumbs is visibly swollen, especially the left.

Could mandolin playing be causing this? Is it just good old fashioned arthritis or should I go see the family doc? I know gout usually strikes the joint where the thumb attaches to the hand, so I'm not too worried about that.

Carolyn

[johnwalser]

Are you sure you didn't close your case on that right thumb? I've had pain on the inside of my left thumb from overplay and made a leather shield that fastens with velcro to wear until the pain recedes. Can't imagine how you get pain in the right thumb, but there is still a great deal I don't know.
John

[Tim2723]

I think the mass of human experience suggests that the body can react in unexpected ways to a lot of things. I'm one of those lucky ones who can play five four-hour shows in a weekend and never even get ruts in my fingertips. But I think you should probably follow your own best advice and consult your physician. I know that when I want expert mandolin advice I come to the Cafe, but for medical expertise I want a doctor. If I could find a doctor that plays mandolin, that would be perfect! Hope you're feeling better soon! :)

[barney 59]

Symetrical arthritis is quite common. (Both thumbs,both hands, both knees, etc.) I have it --the base of both thumbs becomes painful and swollen. I think only x-rays and doctors can tell you if that is your problem. I require a fairly long warm up period when I play. It is particularly hard to grip a pick sometimes but if I play through it it seems pass. Pre-dosing with death doses of aspirin is my solution to periods when I'm going to be playing out or playing alot. I also finger pick guitar and that requires alot of (sometimes painful) movement of my thumb but I believe that alot of movement is what I need. Use it or lose it! The doctors have suggested an operation if it advances and if it does advance maybe I'd do it. Advanced stages of this sort of arthritis has your thumb migrating south toward your elbow and eventually you end up no longer a primate.

[Glassweb]

could be a mild case of tendonitis or arthritis... pretty common stuff for thumbs... try changing your technique and/or resting it awhile and see how that goes. if you see a hand doc tell 'em to be GENTLE... i once had one bend a finger and aggravate the original problem for months!

[violmando]

Sometimes, playing and another activity will together irritate your hands. For instance, I work in a bookstore. I have to constantly REMIND myself not to pick up too many books with my hands or the base of my thumbs, particularly left, will be EXTREMELY painful when I play my mandocello. It's really not the playing as much as the books I pick up in my handspan, but it doesn't bother me when I pick up the books, but when I play. I have arthritis throughout my body as well as fibromyagia. If you do decide to have it treated, please do it by a reputable doctor. I have had carpal tunnel surgeries done, years ago, by a hand surgeon, and he would be the onlyone I'd take this to....

[journeybear]

I've never had a problem with my thumb but I've gone through periods when the first knuckle on my left index finger was painful and swollen from all that scrunching down, and I feared I'd done permanent damage. :crying: I'm pretty sure I did, actually as it still looks a little weird, like there may be a bone chip or just a little extra calcium in there. My solution was rest, which caused pain at first - of a different sort, as I just laid off playing for a while and missed it terribly. :( Then I began using different finger assignments, substituting my middle finger for the index as much as possible. It took months - who has that kind of time? - but eventually the pain subsided. I still change my finger assignments somewhat randomly to keep this from coming back. And just to improve overall dexterity. ;)

Of course, how this applies to your thumb - when you've only got one one each hand - I don't really know. I think the amount you are playing shouldn't be enough to be the only cause for your problem. That said, your hand position may be contributing to your discomfort, and you could try varying that to see if it helps. :mandosmiley:

Then again, there are numerous testimonials to the detrimental effects the mandolin has on a person's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. I haven't seen compelling scientific evidence to back up these claims, but I can't completely dismiss them. After all, I am living proof. :whistling:

[Randi Gormley]

I'll add another vote to check with the doctor, especially if you already are seeing either a PT or a specialist in arthritis and can run your symptoms by them. Sometimes, all you need is some time off from the repetitive motions to ease the problem. that's what worked for me -- i went down to practicing every other day after my left thumb joint began hurting and it helped a lot.

[TonyP]

I personally vote for the mindfulness approach.

I had a weird ache/swelling of my thumb joints that would come and go. Not until I started paying attention did I notice that it would happen after I'd bring in the groceries. I'd get groceries in plastic bags and being basically lazy, I'd take as many, if not all of them, into the house at one time. I'd have those bags hooked around every finger and thumb. And it's a long way into the house from the truck.

What I realized it was not just the weight, it was the sharpness of the bags as they cut into the joints that did the damage. Now we use recyclable bags that have nice straps on them, and some have shoulder straps. No more problem.

Now I've noticed that I've got some stiffness in both my little fingers. That I can trace to how I hold both of them off my pc mouse on the right, and a nostromo game controller that I use with my left. I have to consciously make myself relax or both of them are so stiff I can't hardly bend them.

This might not apply to your situation, so the usual YMMV is of course in effect.

[Rick Schmidlin]

I used to have this problem with guitar but not mandolin. May be the one I played but can't speak for the rest.

[CES]

Yes, but check with your doc as there are more serious inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other connective tissue disorders) that can result in arthritic symptoms. Also, don't rule out gout just yet (or, "da goutch," as many around here call it), as some get atypical presentations. Be careful with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (ie, advil), esp. if you have high blood pressure, gi issues, or any hint of kidney disease...of course, don't disclose any of that stuff on here, as it's YOUR business, not ours!!

It may be overuse or just good old fashioned osteoarthritis, especially if you don't have any other symptoms, but it's probably worth a check.

Good luck!

[journeybear]

To sum up:

1) see your doctor

2) observe, analyze, and adjust suspicious behavio, including non-mandolin activity