Hand specialist recommendation?

[41Hz]

Hi all,

I’ve been having pain/stiffness in my fretting hand in the mornings for several months which seems to be getting worse. I eventually went to the GP a few weeks ago who was pretty unhelpful so thinking of asking for a referral to a consultant as I have private health cover.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a hand specialist that is used to dealing with musicians/ problems associated with playing an instrument? Ideally in the south, but will travel for the right person.

Edited April 14, 2019 by 41Hz

[Len_derby]

Hiya.

in Derby we have Chris Bainbridge who is a renowned specialist in hand surgery and treating hand difficulties. Although he has no specific experience of musicians, to my knowledge, I have a friend in precision engineering (Rolls Royce) who had been able to continue in his career thanks to Dr Bainbridge.

http://www.hand-surgery.co.uk

[Stub Mandrel]

Sounds like arthritis, morning pain and stiffness that eases with use.

I have it in my thumbs, which is very common. Using hammer drills, screwdrivers or a lot of heavy work on the car with spanners/socket wrenches tends to upset it. It also tends to be seasonal (worse in winter) and flare up after I get flu or a bad cold. Ibuprofen helps, so does using, although getting back into playing has brought it on. Usually just a constant dull pain I can generally ignore but occasional I do something that causes a twinge which can vary from unpleasant to oooooowwww! Sometimes I can open the tightest of jar with my hands, sometimes I can barely grip them.

I've ordered some 'indian frankincense' after looking on the  versusarthritis website as it seems to be one of the few complementary treatments where all the climnical trials have shown a positive effect. Also taking chondoitin and glucosamine.

The good news is exercise is very good for arthritis and one of the best treatments I have found is playing my acoustic guitar fingerstyle.

 

[41Hz]

Len, Stub and others that have PM’d thanks for your comments! It’s not too bad at the moment, just hoping it won’t progress to the stage where it stops me playing.