Arthritis Exercises. Helpful Advice

[ch willie]

Well, since I posted this, I wanted to play in a band again, and so I learned a set. But the pain became unmanageable after a few nights of concentrated playing. So I never went to play in the band that I was going to "audition" for. I'm hoping one day just to find some people to jam with, but without any notion of playing a gig. I'd be good for 5 songs or so, and that'd be that.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

Here's something new I discovered. I looked into the foods that cause inflammation (and the pain that goes along with it). Interestingly, Avocados are a stand-out, so I have been avoiding them along with the other culprits. I am also taking a supplement called Cistanche. There has been a significant improvement. I have more pain in my feet and hips than my hands due to arthritis, and previously could walk maybe a mile before the pain got to be too much to bear. I've been making it 4 miles lately. Might be worth a try.

 

[ch willie]

I will definitely check it out.

 

[Dave P]

Since my last post in 2022, OA has crept into my right hand now. I keep dropping my picks, so I've been playing a lot with my fingers instead. I was working on my car the other day, and kept dropping my wrenches, nuts and gaskets because my grip is gone. It's almost making me laugh wondering what part of my body will next succumb to arthritis next. I had a procedure done on my neck to burn off the nerve endings because of the stenosis, and it didn't work. My knees are just about gone, I'm hoping they can hold up until 2025 for TKR. I still try to stay positive and do as much as I can do, but some days it is tough. Hopefully someday I'm locked up in the nursing home, I'll get a hot nurse to wipe my ass. LOL

 

[NickiC]

We are on the same path but I'm a bit further up the road. I had 4 cortisone shots in my thumb joint for 5 years. In the 5th year the shots wore off after 4-5 gigs. On Dec 1, 2021 I then had the surgery. They take a tenon from your left arm, then cut and pull the thumb out, pack the tenon in the joint so you don't have the bone on bone rub, sew you back up. I had to wear a lol hard cast for 6 weeks that kept the thumb from moving. Next 6 weeks in a neoprene cast that limits the movement. After that PT. At this point it's been 4 months from the date of the surgery. I was then cleared to use the thumb and started to play guitar and get my chops back. After 6 months I started to gig again. After 3 months of gigs I was again in so much pain I had to cancel all remaining gigs. I went back to my surgeon and I get the news the problem is called "subsidence". The tenon has shrunk and my thumb has moved out of position. In the past 3 months I've had 4 cortisone/lanicane injections. I've been told I need another surgery to correct this. For me to play a 3 hour gig I have to self medicate: 4-Norco, 6-Extra strength excedrin and a couple other goodies. Before going into this I had a second set of xrays and consultation with another orthopedic surgeon. I wish you all the success if you have the surgery. I wish I would have never had the surgery, This is my thumb joint 9 months after the surgery and subsidence.

I was recommended for the same procedure, and declined. But then, each individual has their own circumstance.
Have you tried the PUSH2 brace? Try it!
Designed by a pianist, I can wear one on my fretting hand while playing. I’ve gigged while wearing it. I doubt it would be practical on the picking hand. I also try to avoid sugar and processed carbohydrates, seems like I get a flare up when I consume them.

 

[Dave P]

I was recommended for the same procedure, and declined. But then, each individual has their own circumstance.
Have you tried the PUSH2 brace? Try it!
Designed by a pianist, I can wear one on my fretting hand while playing. I’ve gigged while wearing it. I doubt it would be practical on the picking hand. I also try to avoid sugar and processed carbohydrates, seems like I get a flare up when I consume them.

I also had that procedure on my left hand, not worth it. It still hurts over 6 years later. I have the same issue with my right hand, and there is no way I'll do that again.

 

[ch willie]

My main problem is in my picking hand. Being a lefty, that is my left hand. My right hand and wrist are almost as badly screwed up. I overworked my right hand yesterday, so evening playing was out of the question. I'm just enjoying whatever playing I can do. I really miss jamming with a band and being able to get some decent volume. I don't mean terribly loud, just enough to feel that power.