ianrunci Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 (edited) I had a strange episode last night while playing higher and higher. I normally play with middle and index finger and suddenly in the middle of the song my middle finger stuck to my palm and wouldn't come back into position. I had to finish off the set with one finger. I can feel twinges in my palm and forearm even now Anyone know what might be causing this? It's never happened to me before Edited November 8, 2009 by ianrunci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Get yourself to the doctors mate, people on here can only give educated guesses, you need professional advice. Hope it's nothing serious buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 I get that now and then my finger doesn't seem to respond, like its just stuck in that position. it's never happened while playing though. i shrug it off and put it down to getting older, doesn't appear to be getting any worse so i don't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrunci Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share Posted November 8, 2009 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='649075' date='Nov 8 2009, 08:12 PM']Get yourself to the doctors mate, people on here can only give educated guesses, you need professional advice. Hope it's nothing serious buddy.[/quote] there was no pain or anything Wayne, it just locked against the palm and I had to actually lift it from the palm with my other hand. it lasted for a couple of tunes and then it was ok for the final song again. Very weird indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 The thumb on my left hand does this occasionally. It's never happened when I've been playing though & it only lasts for a minute or two so I've never bothered seeking medical advice about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamapirate Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Get medical advice, all of you! Practise blood circulation - is it similar to pins and needles only without the 'pain'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrunci Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share Posted November 8, 2009 [quote name='iamapirate' post='649230' date='Nov 8 2009, 10:25 PM']Get medical advice, all of you! Practise blood circulation - is it similar to pins and needles only without the 'pain'?[/quote] Nah it's nothing like pins and needles. Its a tendon problem. The finger stuck in position and wouldn't move. I could feel the tendon in my forearm becoming tight. Possibly I think it might have been because of poor positioning of my arm while I am playing. I'll see how I am at the next gig on sat and if I have a reccurence i will make an appointment with my GP. I just wondered if anyone else had suffered the same issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Had a similar thing ages ago with my left wrist after I'd done 2 sets on a 6 string bass. I'd never played one before and was considering buying one so I borrowed one for the gig. My hand was obviously not used to the width and got fatigued pretty quickly, didn't help that most of the stuff I was playing was around the Low C. It cleared up after a couple of days but a drummer friend of mine told me it was a warning sign to RSI and told me to make sure I stretch properly before I play. +1 to everyone who's said get it checked out, muscles and tendons can be quite complicated and tend to do odd things when they get tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 I've had similar before & use my index & ring finger (or grab a pick for some songs). When I first read your title for the post I thought it might be a similar problem to one I have with my left hand where any time my middle finger isn't being used, it sticks straight up & looks like I'm giving everyone the bird.!.. It's only recently that I've noticed I do this after watching a dvd of one of my bands & now I try to make a conscious effort to not raise the flag. I would err on caution & go to the doc's about your finger tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesfinn Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 it's a form of cramp. its when you play too hard or too much and lactic acid build up forces your tendons to contract. used to happen to me all the time, i went to the docs about it and he just said not to play so hard. havnt had the problem in years now. just had to change my technique a little and not press down so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 [quote name='wesfinn' post='649518' date='Nov 9 2009, 11:26 AM']it's a form of cramp. its when you play too hard or too much and lactic acid build up forces your tendons to contract. used to happen to me all the time, i went to the docs about it and he just said not to play so hard. havnt had the problem in years now. just had to change my technique a little and not press down so hard.[/quote] That has been my experience. I since changed to using TI jazz flats and turned my amp up & use a limiter (cheapo green behringer pedal) I let the amp do the work and play with a much lighter touch. Haven't had the dreaded hand cramp since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Woodcock Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 "Trigger finger" is the first thing that springs to my mind, was it anything like [url="http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw022.htm"]this?[/url] Looking at your avatar there does seem to be tension from your right shoulder down to your hand when you are playing. As echoed above I would get anything looked at by a professional rather than risking permanent damage; from a playing/technique point of view however I would suggest shifting your bass more to the centre of your body rather than off to the right - this will enable you to drop your shoulder a bit and straighten that wrist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay Splayer Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 [quote name='ianrunci' post='649071' date='Nov 8 2009, 08:07 PM']I had to finish off the set with one finger.[/quote] i`ve had to finish a few ladies off the same way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='649075' date='Nov 8 2009, 08:12 PM']Get yourself to the doctors mate, people on here can only give educated guesses, you need professional advice. Hope it's nothing serious buddy.[/quote] Hi Ian, +1 for Wayne's advice. I have the same problem with the little finger on my right hand. The "trigger finger" article decribes it perfectly, but I would rather a doctor told me than some article on t'internet. Haw's it going BTW? We haven't had a chat for ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 [quote name='ianrunci' post='649071' date='Nov 8 2009, 08:07 PM']I had to finish off the set with one finger.[/quote] ...& I used to wave goodbye to my boss at the end of the shift like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitz666 Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Definately trigger finger. I have had it for two years now, painful cortisone injections every 3 montsh until the last time it happened when my finger couldn't move at all. Hade to have a piece of tendon removed under a local. 5 stitches some pain afterwards but it has now been 6 weeks since it was done and I am back upto playing not and the finger is about 95% done, feels soooooo much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamapirate Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='649802' date='Nov 9 2009, 04:35 PM']...& I used to wave goodbye to my boss at the end of the shift like that[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrunci Posted November 10, 2009 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 [quote name='Stickman' post='649736' date='Nov 9 2009, 03:11 PM']"Trigger finger" is the first thing that springs to my mind, was it anything like [url="http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw022.htm"]this?[/url] Looking at your avatar there does seem to be tension from your right shoulder down to your hand when you are playing. As echoed above I would get anything looked at by a professional rather than risking permanent damage; from a playing/technique point of view however I would suggest shifting your bass more to the centre of your body rather than off to the right - this will enable you to drop your shoulder a bit and straighten that wrist.[/quote] Looks like that might be the problem. Although I still maintain there was no pain more a kind of twitch in the forearm muscle. I managed to play the last tune with both fingers and it didn't happen again ( touch wood) but I have made an appointment at the GPs just in case. I'll update you when I have spoken to him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Speaking as someone who has just had major hand surgery for rsi, I would say its not something you should ignore or selftreat. I'd get two opinions, if it were me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperbob 2002 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 [quote name='Geek99' post='650593' date='Nov 10 2009, 01:21 PM']Speaking as someone who has just had major hand surgery for rsi, I would say its not something you should ignore or selftreat. I'd get two opinions, if it were me.[/quote] +1 and I would lower the bass- your wrist needs to be straight- or as straight as you can manage- always seems strange when someone picks up their shoulder- a bit like quasimodo- so lowering the bass I`m sure will put less strain on the wrist. Worked for me - see the dos though Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 [quote name='thumperbob 2002' post='651284' date='Nov 11 2009, 07:44 AM']+1 and I would lower the bass- your wrist needs to be straight- or as straight as you can manage- always seems strange when someone picks up their shoulder- a bit like quasimodo- so lowering the bass I`m sure will put less strain on the wrist. Worked for me - see the dos though Bob[/quote] Another +1 here. That position would suit you of you was a slapper... ...In the Mark King sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 [quote name='ianrunci' post='649084' date='Nov 8 2009, 08:17 PM']there was no pain or anything Wayne, it just locked against the palm and I had to actually lift it from the palm with my other hand. it lasted for a couple of tunes and then it was ok for the final song again. Very weird indeed[/quote] still worth a second opinion...the doc my guess is a form of cramp or rsi [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repetitive_strain_injury"]RSI[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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