Stiff fingers of the left hand

[carbe]

Hi everybody!

I've got a very disturbing problem... It just happened suddenly and I have no clue why.
The joints between my ring finger and my middle finger has become stiff. It is possible that the little finger also has been affected.
I have problems playing scales, because as soon as the scale is downward and these two fingers shall play, it becomes stiff and the technique becomes really bad. It's REALLY hard to play classical pieces, I because I can barely play fast at all with those fingers.

This happened suddenly a week ago, before that everything was as usual. I have tried with some technique exercises and to rest my fingers, but nothing has helped. What shall I do? Please help.

Best regards
David

[keyboardclass]

My guess, and it certainly is only that, is that you've damaged the tendons of your fourth finger somehow (it's tied to fingers 3 and 5).  I use a scratching motion myself but that's not very common.

[carbe]

Won't it become healed by itself?

[keyboardclass]

Not if you don't change whatever caused it.

[carbe]

Not if you don't change whatever caused it.

It may be just an inflammation.

[keyboardclass]

...caused by?

[carbe]

Possibly overwork?
In any case, I have to fix it somehow.

[keyboardclass]

So one or more of three things - either you've practiced too much too loud or two wrongly.

[carbe]

I know professional classical pianists who also has got inflammations... it doesn't need to be something wrong that is done.
But I started this thread to get tips on what else it could be and what I can do about it.

[stevebob]

carbe, only a doctor or physical therapist can diagnose the problem.  As to what caused it, no one can do more than speculate unless they've seen you practice/play and have knowledge of the physiology of piano technique.

If you expect the problem to resolve on its own with rest, you need to give it a lot longer than you have.  If the symptoms started just last week, I would recommend immobilization (i.e., no prActice whatsoever with the afflicated hand) for at least a couple of weeks or more.

Even if it seems to heal and go away, though, it's entirely possible it will return unless you can isolate (and then avoid) what caused the injury.  Inflammation, stiffness and/or pain aren't normal conditions.

Best wishes!

[carbe]

Well, I can't stop practising. Maybe a doctor can give me something to stop the inflammation.

I guess pain isn't the same thing as tiredness? Because I often get tired and I can feel it in my hand for hours, but it doesn't use to hurt.

[stevebob]

Given the limitation on natural movement you described in your original post, is continuing to practice even practical under the circumstances?  It would seem that there's no benefit to be gained, and instead you risk aggravating the problem.

If you suffered a serious, immobilizing illness or injury (e.g., a fracture, a severe burn, etc.), you would have no choice but to stop practicing while you convalesce.  Your present condition may seem trivial in comparison, but it could potentially be equally serious.  I urge you to seek professional care as soon as possible, as any other course of action bears at least some risk of permanent damage.

[carbe]

I've talked with the school nurse today, and she said that it probably is an inflammation. I shall take three tablets each day in a week, and then I'll hope it'll be better!

[keyboardclass]

If those are tablets for pain, you're only masking the damage you're doing.

[carbe]

No, the tablets are healing the inflamation.

[keyboardclass]

You're a little confused.  There is no healing.  The 'tablets' are no doubt ibuprofen which bring the inflammation down but also mask the pain.  If you want to bring the inflammation down without drugs you need to apply a cold compress.

[stevebob]

Originally you said your problem was "very disturbing," but it sounds like you're treating a condition with an undiagnosed cause with aspirin (or the equivalent).

So perhaps you overstated the severity of your problem or its significance to you?  If I had a physical malady that I described in such serious terms, I would err on the side of caution to protect my fingers.  But maybe that's just me.

I wonder what kind of answers or advice you were looking for here.  I'm certain that if someone had advised that you that "it probably is an inflammation" and to treat it with an anti-inflammatory agent three times a day, it would have been assailed as highly irresponsible.

And it honestly seems equally irresponsible coming from a school nurse, unless she is also a musician with thorough knowledge of the kinesiology of the hands and fingers.  (But in that case, she probably wouldn't have used the word "probably."    )

[countrymath]

Sometimes this happens to me (like today). Usually when i dont do any warmup (like today  )

A few hours without practing normally solves it.

[stevebob]

Sometimes this happens to me (like today). Usually when i dont do any warmup (like today  )

A few hours without practing normally solves it.

What exactly is the "this" that happens to you?  And if it goes away on its own in a few hours, how is it like a stiffness that has persisted for a week (as is the case with the original poster)?

[countrymath]

With "this" I mean fingers getting stiff. Usually, in a few hours my finger back to normal, only once I got it for one week. I did only left hand practice that week and did some massage on my finger.

[carbe]

I don't want it to be even worser, so I'll rest totally for one week. It will be hard to not touch the piano keys... But I hope it's worth it!

[keyboardclass]

You don't have to do that.  You just have to find a way to play that's totally harmless.

[carbe]

You don't have to do that.  You just have to find a way to play that's totally harmless.

I'll do that after this week. I think it's good to rest my hand.
But I find it very difficult to find a way playing totally harmless. I have tried many exercises and I'll also tried to relax when I practise new pieces - but I always get tired...

[keyboardclass]

Can you scratch an itch without pain?  Then you can play the piano.  In fact I have a better idea - why don't you wipe the piano keys clean with your finger?  A bit of spring cleaning.  Oops! a key went down!

[countrymath]

Buy a cheap (or expensive) keyboad with lighweight keys