BS: Thumb Base Arthritis

Subject: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 07:13 PM

Well, 30 some years of finger pickin' and now the thumb says "No!" Purdy rude, I'd say, but heck, that thing has always had a mind of its own.

But seriously, anyone ever had "thumb base arthritis"? really hurts when diggin' out those hard base strings playin' blues. (You know where ya' get up uynder the string and lift it awat from the guitar while turning your hand.)

So what's the treatment? I read about cortizone shots and splints and all but some Catter I'm sure knows something that I'd appreciate you sharin'.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis
From: MAG
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 07:24 PM

Periodically using a softer pick helps me out when my hand is screaming. From the way you describe your playing, tho', maybe time for a replacement thumb ... (duck and run ...)

Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis
From: NicoleC
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 07:26 PM

Just pain, or loss of motion?

Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 07:45 PM

Just pain in the "saddle joint" area which is down where the thumb bone connects to wrist bone. I can still play but I can't pick up a bottle of ketchup. But when I play, I'm havin' to be real cautious and finding myself using my fingers to compensate and have actaully gotten them to pick bass stuff but... taht ain't the way its sopsed to be...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis
From: NicoleC
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 08:53 PM

Cartilidge builders like Ester-C can be a boon. You won't find Ester-C in your doctor's head, but I bet your vet knows about it -- it's used to treat aging horses and dogs with hip dysplasia. When I saw how well it worked on my dog (2g for a 50 pound dog, and he was messed up *bad*) I started taking it myself. Wow! My fingers and knees haven't hurt when the weather changes since.

(Incidentally, the dog is now 8 years old and runs around the yard on two legs plus a butt despite his a) lack of knee caps b) advanced hip dyplasia since he was a pup and c) arthritis of the lower back. The original prognosis was that he'd live 3 years max.)

Doesn't really get rid of the arthritis, of course, but it keeps the pain killers at bay.

Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis
From: Mr Happy
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 05:18 AM

in my neighbourhood when i was a boy- a local man had an alsation with only 2 front legs due to an accident.

the dogmobility problem was by having a little sort of trolley thing his lower body was trsapped into with swivelly wheels.

spike was a popular sight around

Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis
From: gnu
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 05:35 AM

Thumb base... boy, that'd be awful if a fellah had it in both thumbs... make j***in off a bitch !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Thumb Base Arthritis
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 11:45 AM

I have it also. All I can suggest is lots of rest and it seems to get better fot a while. I did something stupid like cutting and splitting 2 cords of wood and it really didit in for a time. try not to do anything that puts strain on that joint..