Pain at base of right thumb near wrist: Tenosynovitis?

[AccordionTop126]

I have recently begun practicing some technical pieces, specifically in the Slovenian Oberkrainer style, involving percussive right hand work at a rather full stretch. This, in conjunction with my job performing as a strolling accordionist in a restaurant for many hours a day has resulted in an overuse injury to the joint at the base of the thumb of my right hand. It especially hurts when crossing the thumb under during ascending scales. Some searches of web sites about thumb pain in keyboard players leads me to think that I have injured the tendons.
Has anyone experienced a similar problem, and if so, what is a possible remedy? I think poor arm position may have contributed to the pain, since during strolling today I concentrated on keeping my elbow more extended. This seemed to make a positive difference. I also think tension in my hand and wrist during practice caused me to push to the point of injury. Am I on the right track, or is there something else I should consider?

 

[Ffingers]

First - in my case the pain at the base of the thumb is not from playing an accordion, but one which is limiting my ability to play/fumble around for more than a half hour or so.
The x-rays show serious arthritis to the point of bone-on-bone contact.
Perhaps you too should get advice from a qualified professional in the medical sphere.

 

[debra]

Many accordionists play with their elbow too close to their body. When you keep the elbow stretched out the wrist is more straight and ht helps especially with the thumb. Keep playing with your elbow more extended and it should hopefully get better soon. You do have to be careful when strolling to not hit anyone or anything with that extended elbow, but it is definitely the better way to play.

 

[Scuromondo]

Hopefully for you it is tendinitis, though that generally means resting that area for a month or so, which can be frustrating. I have developed arthritis in that joint. There are a few things—wearing hand braces at night, taking anti inflammatory pain relief medicine, and getting cortisone shots—that can minimize the pain, but unfortunately nothing that eliminates it

 

[colinm]

I apply Fenbid ( on prescription) to a painful hip, applying it with my thumb has relieved a painful thumb brought on by cutting floor laminate

 

[Caps]

I have the same problem in both thumbs, It is now difficult to pick up anything heavy like a large coffee thermos without some pain. After several misdiagnosis, they x-rayed my hands and say I am developing arthritis in thumbs and some finger joints. I was told that playing the accordion helps to slow the development down and will keep the fingers flexible longer but that there is no current cure. I was given some Diclofenac Sodium Gel to apply and it helps for a couple hours or so. Crossing my thumb under on a scale is particularly difficult and sometimes I feel a distinct snap as I do so. Very frustrating and so I now play slower, less complicated gentle pieces and learn to live with it........sigh. on the plus side, the pain that i have been having in my elbow for last several months, diagnosed as golfers elbow, appears to have gone mostly away. I have kept the bellows on the FR4X locked and that prevented the use of that elbow.

 

[AccordionTop126]

Thank you all for your input. I have noticed significant improvement of this pain in the last week, which makes me think my pain may not have been from arthritis, but tendon pain from my poor technique. I do intend to bring the problem up with my physician next week, as Ffingers wisely suggested. I will explore more careful warm-ups and avoiding overdoing technical practice, as well as gentle stretching and strength-building. Paul, you are right about being cautious not to hit diners with my elbow. I am more careful about selecting my route of travel now! I am sorry to hear about those of you suffering arthritic pain in your hands.

 

[Dingo40]

While you probably experienced RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) or, simply overuse, there are forms of arthritis that are cyclical by nature. Unfortunately, the cycles become more frequent until the ache becomes chronic.
Hopefully, this is not relevant to your case.

 

[Ffingers]

"Unfortunately, the cycles become more frequent until the ache becomes chronic."
Yea! Verily!
But you could add to that: "...chronic with frequent bouts of acute, disabling pain."