Arthritis in hands

[Charles Freeborn]

Started in my ring finger as a trigger nodule - catching, hurt like hell. That tapered off (doesn't catch any more) but it and now my middle finger are stiff as hell in the morning and hurt like a mother. Takes an hour or so to limber up, but definitely losing strength.
I work with tools for a living, so this is bad. Still 10+ years from retirement so I can't really slack off.
Who's gone through this? Excercises, stretches, meds that don't make your pecker fall off?
Thanks!

[Cajundaddy]

I also turn wrenches during the day and am a working musician on the weekend. I developed noticeable arthritis in my hands at about age 48 and before it got too bad began regular exercises to stretch the hands, Advil as an anti-inflammatory, and glucosamine as a long term preventative treatment. I can report that after 10 years my arthritis is not gone but much less painful/more manageable.

Studies on glucosamine are inconclusive, meaning that it is not yet scientifically proven to be effective and perhaps it is only placebo effect. No matter, my condition is improved and I see no negative side effects from it's use. I plan to continue this program along with stretching exercises and Advil as needed for a flare-up.

[John Rogers]

I had "trigger finger" in a couple of the fingers of my right hand and went to see a hand specialist/surgeon and she cured the problem. I also have genetic arthritis in both hands and most joints which is one of the reasons I don't race any longer as it is not real safe taking pain meds and racing.

Anyways I'd suggest seeing a specialist to see what they say as an MRI can show what is inside the hand and finger joints. Way better than getting advice from a bunch of old Porsche pushers............

[campbellcj]

A few years ago I started getting osteoarthritis symptoms in my hands. They were sore almost all the time. I've been on the computer a massive amount for more than 35 years so it's no surprise. Anyway, ibuprofen helps with the pain and stiffness but what has really helped me is playing guitar. I started teaching myself in 2012 and it's made a huge improvement in hand strength and flexibility, and the pain has almost completely subsided.

[Noah930]

If you've had trigger finger in the ring digit, you might be experiencing a minor form of it in the middle digit now. Morning stiffness, pain along the Palm side of the digit (particularly by where the finger joins the palm, difficulty making a full and tight fist, and grip strength weakness are all possible symptoms. You don't always have to have locking of the finger. Look up stenosing tenosynovitis.

You can try stretching exercises (try to use the other hand to hyperextended the affected fingers), oral antiinflammatories, less repetitive gripping, wearing gloves/padding while doing manual labor, etc. some people respond to hand therapy. If it's bothersome enough go see a hand surgeon (either plastic or orthopedic) for a cortisone injection. If you've exhausted all that, surgery is a curative option.

Good luck.

[Charles Freeborn]

Many thanks for all you suggestions. I have seen a specialist, as well as my own doc, who is a DO, and have had the limit (3) cortisone injections in the ring finger. I guess it's a return trip to the hand doc to look into surgery. My work is all of those bad things (repetitive, vibration, etc) which I ameliorate as best I can by using padding, gloves, ambidextrous training, etc.
Guitar stretching is good - I'd forgotten about that, which is pretty silly considering one of the things I build is acoustics... I used to have a site bookmarked with "yoga for guitarists" similar to this: https://guitarlessons365.com/essential-hand-stretches-for-guitarists/...

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

Started in my ring finger as a trigger nodule - catching, hurt like hell. That tapered off (doesn't catch any more) but it and now my middle finger are stiff as hell in the morning and hurt like a mother. Takes an hour or so to limber up, but definitely losing strength.
I work with tools for a living, so this is bad. Still 10+ years from retirement so I can't really slack off.
Who's gone through this? Excercises, stretches, meds that don't make your pecker fall off?
Thanks!

Only thing I can add is perhaps pre-diabetic?
Another is to look at your diet...cut out processed foods and red meats - especially sausages, etc. A set-up for gout.
And could you lose some weight? - - associated with diabetes.
All of the above caused me to have extreme joint pain as well as swelling in the case of gout.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

Only thing I can add is perhaps pre-diabetic?
Another is to look at your diet...cut out processed foods and red meats - especially sausages, etc. A set-up for gout.
And could you lose some weight? - - associated with diabetes.
All of the above caused me to have extreme joint pain as well as swelling in the case of gout.

Don't forget laying off the pork, broccoli and spinach.

[Don Ro]

Broccoli? Really? I'll have to look that up. I eats me some Broccoli - thought it was good for me.