I really don't like to complain, so I thought I'd seek the advice of people here who will hopefully not brush me off as 'worrying about nothing'.

I woke up this morning with a lot of pain in my left hand, and the joints in two of my fingers appear to be swollen. Touching anything quickly is really painful, (I'm typing this with one hand), as is moving my fingers.

I played my violin for about 2 hours yesterday, and about the same in the days before that. I've also been trying to 'play' the viola.

Am I worrying about nothing, and so should I ignore it and carry on as usual, or if not, is there anything I can do? I've played for much longer than two hours before, with very little pain (other than split finger tips ).

Thanks

(EDIT - I did a search for various things but none of the results seemed to coincide with what I wanted to ask, so appologies if I've missed a thread.)

While I'm not sure how playing either violin or viola could cause that particular damage, my gut reaction would be to say book an appointment to see the doctor ASAP about your hand, and don't play anything until you've done so.

That way you won't aggravate the condition unknowingly if it is something playing-related, and the doctor, who is the only person who can tell you what's wrong as they can see your hand and we can't, will be able to help you deal with the problem and get it sorted.

Take aches and pains seriously - don't make the mistake I did of carrying on with a little discomfort until I really injured myself!

I thought perhaps it was playing-related as I haven't done anything else out of the ordinary lately.

If it's still painful I'll try and see the doc on Monday, but for now I shall just look at the instruments in the corner who are willing me to pick them up.

Thanks for your advice Katyjay .

In the meantime if you can take some anti-inflammatory type of pain killer (ie: ibuprofen or so), rest your hand of course, possibly keep it elevated whenever you can, not talking about walking around with your hand up in the air but rather, when you lie down or sit on couch, keep a cushion under your upper-arm/hand to keep it slightly elevated.
The above might help you until monday if you are uncomfortable.
Let us know how you get on.
Jo

Go and see your GP - you can never be sure. Hope it soon gets sorted.

Sound advice. Seeing your GP is definately the best bet. Regarding Ibuprofen, do check the box contra-indictations as there's a few. Not getting at anyone here personally, but Ibuprofen is very often used by people that shouldn't be using it.

I find ice really good for inflamed joints - (froz peas?) wrap pack in a tea towel and very gently lay hand on it - no longer than 5 minutes at a time

Hello Miss Ross, I put a thread on not long ago about arthritus in my fingers but I can't remember which forum I put it in - maybe General Music. I got lots of very useful replies back. I don't think though for a moment that's what you have because its appearance is so sudden. It's possible that you may have strained your fingers doing something else which you were unaware of at the time and the practise has aggravated it. It may just go away and be one of those things that goes away and never returns but if they're still swollen on Monday, yes definitely go and see the Doc. best to check it out and really to know whether it's best to exercise your fingers or rest them. I'm sure it's nothing serious but yes - we all worry about these sorts of things - especially when it interfers with our music making.

Tweet tweet,

Goldfinch

Hi Miss Ross,

The centre joint of my right hand suddenly swelled up about 4 years ago (and it took about a year to go down). It was at a time when I was trying to sort out my bow hold, so I tried to cut back on playing to see if that made it any difference. It didn't make things bettter or worse, so I just kept playing. I had loads of blood tests for arthritis and ailments of the immune system. These were inconclusive, but at least they ruled out anything serious. In the end the doctors said that I might have psoriasis in the joints, and when I mentioned this to my Dad and sister, they just said, 'Oh yeah, we have that problem too'. The point of all of that waffle is just to say it could be anything, so you need to go to the doctor.

Hopefully it is not causing you too much pain.

Alison

Thanks for all your replies . Over the course of yesterday the swelling appeared to go down a little, after I'd used an icepack a couple of times and taken some ibuprofen (captaintau - I did read the contra-indictations). I (somehow!) managed not to pick up the violin/viola at all yesterday, and kept my hand elevated when I went to bed...only to wake up with it still just as painful and swollen as it was yesterday morning . I know I shouldn't expect miracles over night, so I'll make a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Thankyou all for taking the time to reply .

Take care not to make it worse



I know how tedious it is when you want to play but you can't because it hurts.

The swelling may be totally unrelated to playing the violin/viola. It's very probable to end up with coincidental problems, but it definitely needs investigation.

I would also advise you to see the doctor, BUT, don't be too quick to volunteer information and say anything about playing the violin, otherwise they will very likely use it as a cop-out to a proper diagnosis.

You might even be developing an allergic reaction to something, or have had an allergic reaction to something. Allergies are weird things and the body can sometimes suddenly start to react to something you've previously touched or eaten for years without any problems.

All possibilities that a doctor should consider. Let them do the investigating, that's their job. Don't go and put ideas into their head just so they can make assumptions and get you out of the surgery door in double-quick time.

In the meantime, rest the joints and don't play. Apart from the pain, until you know more about what is going on, you might make things worse.

Hello lovely people,

Amazingly, I managed to get a doctor's appointment this morning (You usually have to plead with them around here ) and he thinks he has found the cause...

Apparently I have a hair-line fracture to one of the bones in my index finger, which is the cause of the swelling (and the pain ), and is a very-well disguised RSI. Unfortunately my reputation appears to precede me these days - as soon as I walked in he asked how my violin recital went, so it was difficult not to mention practicing.

Initially he advised me not to play for x number of weeks, which was met by a distinctly horrified look, so I'm now to reintroduce practicing gradually, ie 10 minutes every day for 3 days and then 15 for the next three days.

I suppose I should be grateful it isn't something much more serious...

Hi Miss Ross

I'm glad that the problem has been identified, that's the most important first step.

Now take care of yourself until it heals, won't you?

We have a famous violinist in our midst .

Hope it recovers as quickly as possible .

*hugs* Hope you have a speedy recovery!

Thankyou .

AP - It's a rather small county

Yeouch! *gentlehug*

I hope you feel better soon!

*ducks out of the forum before the strings players notice I shouldn't be here.*

Have you thought about wearing a Magnetic braclet these can help arthritis, tendonitist and general aches and pains anywhere in the body, and also aids healing.

I had RSI in my hand and have used one of these every since.

If you want any info please PM me as i became a distributor for the Bioflow Braclets afew months ago.
Also have various organic and chemical free toiletries too. Trying not to sound like a sales rep lol

Yes, I also have a rock that keeps tigers away . Any pointers to a clinical trial of those bracelets? I'd be further wary, as wearing a bracelet can worsen wrist conditions - I always take my watch off to play the piano.

Ouch!! Take care of that gently won't you? Let it heal.

I used to get a painful swelling in the joint of the first finger on my left hand and the Dr said it was a form of swelling to the joint caused by wear-and-tear.

I've just had a five-week break from playing (due to travelling the world she says in a wistfully romantic voice lalallalalal....) and my finger is now painless but the swelling is still there and feels like bone. I'm terrified it's the start of arthritis

Today is the first day I'll have touched my violin in all that time so I'm curious to hear how scrapey I am

I hope your hand gets better quickly and that you can soon get back to enjoying your playing

Angie

Ouch Hope your finger heals fast