Double Bass Sharp pain in left index finger

[tony moore]

Hey All,

I've been experiencing a sharp pain at the fingering "meaty" bit of the front of my left hand index finger since about mid November, when I was practicing more than normal learning alot of new material for a one time gig.

I didn't notice the pain until a few days after the gig. I took a few days off from playing at the time, and returned to find the pain a bit less but it persists. I find myself altering my technique to avoid the sensitive spot, and not to good effect.

I've not experienced this before. Has anyone else experience this? Can you anyone share any input or advice? It would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

 

[Jazzdogg]

See a doctor.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I’m going through similar. Left index finger at the first knuckle. Not sure what it is.

 

[Don Hergert]

... a sharp pain at the fingering "meaty" bit of the front of my left hand index finger...

Good idea to have it checked. IF it's at the joint it could be a form of arthritis. IF it's in the meaty portion, it could be a form of muscle strain or possibly a deep tissue or bone bruise. From your description I'd guess more likely a deep tissue or bone bruise, but again, your health care provider would be the best source for help.

... I've not experienced this before. Has anyone else experience this? Can you anyone share any input or advice? It would be much appreciated. ...

Many, many of us are of an age to be experiencing chronic pain just from getting older and heavy use of our hands, not to mention our backs and large bone joints. If you're not of that age yet, it's just something to look forward to .

 

[Carl Hillman]

Hey All,

I've been experiencing a sharp pain at the fingering "meaty" bit of the front of my left hand index finger since about mid November, when I was practicing more than normal learning alot of new material for a one time gig.

I didn't notice the pain until a few days after the gig. I took a few days off from playing at the time, and returned to find the pain a bit less but it persists. I find myself altering my technique to avoid the sensitive spot, and not to good effect.

I've not experienced this before. Has anyone else experience this? Can you anyone share any input or advice? It would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

It could be a deep bruise. Or, it could be something serious.

Only your doctor knows for sure.

 

[tony moore]

thanks for this, very helpful.

i’d not heard of a “deep bruise” before, but after reading up on it, it does seem to describe what i’m experiencing.

i’m curious what may have caused it. considering the location on the fingering index finger, i can’t see where playing bass would have caused this. my right hand, plucking and bowing, is occasionally sore after repeated long sessions, but this is my first time experiencing this type of pain.

thanks again for all of your input. it’s appreciated.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

No idea if it’s the same thing, but I’ve had this feeling at times as well when playing on a certain part of the finger where the string touches it in a particular way. Usually it turns out to be an over-thick callus that I can file down to make more manageable. When it happens on the gig, I focus on moving a contact point around a bit to avoid exacerbating it.

 

[Brilee]

No idea if it’s the same thing, but I’ve had this feeling at times as well when playing on a certain part of the finger where the string touches it in a particular way. Usually it turns out to be an over-thick callus that I can file down to make more manageable. When it happens on the gig, I focus on moving a contact point around a bit to avoid exacerbating it.

Not a doctor here(!) but calluses push both ways. If they thicken, they can press back in against nerves and such. Seconding the filing if there is a lot there.

 

[Anne Millington]

There are nerves extending to the tip of the finger, and sometimes in really nailing a note, you can concuss them against the bone of your digit. It hurts like hell, and can last a while. Goes away though, in my experience.

 

[tony moore]

Thanks for the additional input. I filed my calluses a bit and haven't noticed a difference yet. I spoke to my doctor and she says a cellist patient experiences similar pain sporadically and she surmises it is nerve related and has offered a simple regime of cold treatment and rest. I'd like to say my fingers are crossed it will heal soon, but that may be in poor taste ;-)

 

[Fat bob]

I once experienced a sharp pain in my index finger as well. The nut on my bass was higher than it needed to be, and the Ab on the G string was especially hard to play. I found that the lower nut height made my bass much easier to play in half pos.

 

[tony moore]

I once experienced a sharp pain in my index finger as well. The nut on my bass was higher than it needed to be, and the Ab on the G string was especially hard to play. I found that the lower nut height made my bass much easier to play in half pos.

Thanks for this. I'll look at my setup and see if there are opportunities for improvement. I've also been considering lower tension strings, but first need to remember what I have my bass strung with. I suppose if I can't remember, it may be an indication it's time to change them? ;-)

 

[Paps]

In the meantime, try a padded plaster or some form of wrapping on top of the finger.
Not ideal for playing, but I've made it work.
Most my finger problems are caused by thorns! Gardening etc.

 

[Anne Millington]

In the meantime, try a padded plaster or some form of wrapping on top of the finger.
Not ideal for playing, but I've made it work.
Most my finger problems are caused by thorns! Gardening etc.

My nemesis is spiders (and horses).