Pain in thumb. My thumb has issues.

[matiasl]

I've recently returned to piano playing. I have gone from playing nothing to playing a lot in a short time, and started experiencing pain in my left thumb (at the MCP joint). It looks like it's getting better, but I'm thinking of taking preventive measures.

I studied the finger a bit and it looks like I have some issues with it. Comparing it to the right thumb I notice that the joint is often raised up (flexed). This is before pressing down the key, where it then looks the same as right thumb (most of the time, not always).

Any idea how to approach this? It looks like the finger is not relaxing properly.

Attachments:
1. right hand
2. left hand showing how the joint is raised up and not relaxed
3. showing the position

[h_chopin148]

I assume MCP stands for metacarpals. But anyways, on your left hand, the phalange (is that correct?) doesn't look correct. I don't think that is a natural postion for your thumb.  I might want to get it checked if I were you.  Hwen you play, relax your hand and fingers. Don't hold them too tight.

[matiasl]

I'm referring to the joint you see that is raised.

My thumbs are a bit freakish by nature (see attached picture). But I think this is something that can be worked on, as the right thumb behaves differently.

But I don't know how you go about doing this. I'm thinking it won't be very easy since it has been behaving like this for a long time.

[cometear]

You must look at your scenario. Is piano the source of your income and is the pain affecting this income? Do you feel this pain is affecting your everyday life? Do you need the pain gone for any other reason? If you answer yes to any of these questions I would highly recommend being treated by a specialist. I can guarantee you will be sorted out by any Golandsky association. Check their website (https://www.golandskyinstitute.org/) and contact one of their piano FACULTY members if it is an EMERGENCY, or their CERTIFIED TEACHER if you are patient. I highly recommend using them as a way to be treated. Any other method could harm you more. Do NOT visit a clinic or a doctor for they know nothing.

[outin]

I'm referring to the joint you see that is raised.

My thumbs are a bit freakish by nature (see attached picture). But I think this is something that can be worked on, as the right thumb behaves differently.

But I don't know how you go about doing this. I'm thinking it won't be very easy since it has been behaving like this for a long time.

I have similar thumbs. Are you left handed? Because I am right handed and the right thumb gives me more trouble, assuming because I've been using that hand for computer stuff and everyday work, which made the hand less flexible.

It's quite difficult to play certain things with these thumbs because they don't open and extend normally. When you open the thumb the tip naturally turns outwards and if you try to prevent that there's a lot of tension and the 2nd joint gives away. One needs to stretch a lot to reach larger intervals because the outward turned last joint tends to press down the key beside the one you try to play. For me this happens in octaves already.

Trying too hard may be the reason for your pain. I used to have pain in the joint as well, but not anymore, because I have accepted that I just cannot play everything with my RH that I can with the left. I do all kinds of exercises away from the piano, but the fact is that my hand shape is what it is and only time will tell how much it can change with patience and practice.

[matiasl]

I made a picture that shows the problem more clearly.

I'm actually right handed, but it's my left thumb that's causing troubles.

I don't know if it's possible to do something about this? Exercises or devices?

What's even the cause? Muscle imbalances, improper movement patter (muscles firing incorrectly), hyperextensibility, limited flexibility, ...? I have used the thumb quite a lot at the computer (think alt+tab).

Golandsky association is not an option, as I don't live in the US. I don't know if there are any professionals that can be of help in my area.

[outin]

I made a picture that shows the problem more clearly.

I'm actually right handed, but it's my left thumb that's causing troubles.

I don't know if it's possible to do something about this? Exercises or devices?

What's even the cause? Muscle imbalances, improper movement patter (muscles firing incorrectly), hyperextensibility, limited flexibility, ...? I have used the thumb quite a lot at the computer (think alt+tab).

To have thumbs like this is an inborn (probably genetic) feature, part of the personal structure of your hand. For some reason it just shows less on your right hand, maybe it's more flexible, or maybe the tendons are attached slightly differently. People are not completely symmetric. I cannot really tell if my right hand has always been different than the left, because I didn't pay any attention to this when young.

Part of the problem for me is also periodically cramped muscles on my forearm/wrist and sometimes all the way up to my neck. When my arm is stiff the thumb gets worse.

I have been working on this problem for over a year, trying all kinds of things. I am doubtful that there's any quick fix. I would suggest a few things:
- Forget about trying to force your thumb into "normal" shape. That was what caused tension and pain for me.
- Exercise your thumb, but be extremely careful for tension and overstreching.
- Look out for tension in palm area and wrists and arm.
- Learn to play things in a way that suits your hand. I have seen pianists with similar thumbs and they seem to do ok. I thinks it's just about adjusting the "normal" good technique slightly to suit your hand.

[matiasl]

Have you seen anyone with the same problem without a hyperextensible thumb?

I haven't either noticed this problem before, and it's only when I started experiencing pain that I actually saw that there is something wrong.

And do you think there is something to do in regards to getting it acting normally? Since the right thumb is working fine that also means the possibility of it having a another problem apart from structure. I notice that my right thumb is even a bit more hyperextensive than my left, if this could mean something.

Does the same thing happen if you do the test that I did in my last picture? You see that I rest the finger on something and when lifting it up, it goes to the curled position. I do not think this position is good, as I can feel that the thumb feels strained and not relaxing. Also it looses mobility.

I wonder if you could train it to relax and/or strengthen some muscles in order to relieve the problem (maybe stretching also). I was also thinking something along the line of my left hand being weaker than my dominant right hand could mean something, but in your case the problem is in the dominant thumb.

[lilla]

What is your age?  I have pain in my thumb due to arthritis.  It began around  age 40 - early according to the doctor.  He said nothing could be done about it and that it would get worse.  When it became unbearable, I could have surgery to "freeze" the joint.  I am now in my 60's.  It only hurts occcasionally, but I noticed more discomfort lately.  I take aspirin to relieve pain.  That works.  But it will never be what it was when I was young.

[matiasl]

Hello. I'm only in my 20's.

I have been studying the anatomy of my left thumb a bit, and I think I see a clue as to what is happening, but I will have to look closer and consider it some more.

[outin]

Have you seen anyone with the same problem without a hyperextensible thumb?

No...but I haven't been looking really.

And do you think there is something to do in regards to getting it acting normally? Since the right thumb is working fine that also means the possibility of it having a another problem apart from structure. I notice that my right thumb is even a bit more hyperextensive than my left, if this could mean something.

Regarding what I think you can do, the only advice I can give is what I already wrote above.

Does the same thing happen if you do the test that I did in my last picture? You see that I rest the finger on something and when lifting it up, it goes to the curled position. I do not think this position is good, as I can feel that the thumb feels strained and not relaxing. Also it looses mobility.

Yes, my thumb behaves like that also. If I keep the joint steady with my other hand, I can play with it open and extended, but obviously that is not an option.

I wonder if you could train it to relax and/or strengthen some muscles in order to relieve the problem (maybe stretching also). I was also thinking something along the line of my left hand being weaker than my dominant right hand could mean something, but in your case the problem is in the dominant thumb.

I have been trying to train my right thumb for over a year now (with a teacher), and there's not much change. I have maybe gained a few millimeters in reach

[matiasl]

Thanks for your input.

I will also have to take into account the possibility of nerve damage. I've had some wounds to my forearm since I lasted played the piano actively a few years ago. When I think about it it's a plausible explanation.

[lelle]

As far as I know the muscles that move the thumb at the MCP joint are located in the big thumb that's in the palm around the thumb:


Massage these muscles a bit, do they feel hard and sore? When you use your thumb at the piano, from what joint do you move, what joints of the thumb move the most?

(By the way since you use the term "MCP joint" do you own the book "What every pianist needs to know about the body"?)

[useron]

Hello everybody!  

I have a very similar problem with my left thumb. As you can see in the attached pictures, my left thumb tend to do a strange curve towards the inner part of the hand. The right hand however is fine and the thumb is straight. I have this issue overall when I'm playing notes that are one octave away and therefore I have to extend my hand.

If I turn slightly my wirst to the left it's easier to have my left thumb straight, but I feel like it's not my natural hand position and I tend to go back to the initial position.

After a while playing my hand start to hurt a little (as if it were tensed). I'm not a professional player and I don't play piano for a living, but I'd like to fix this problem with my left thumb. Any ideas? Anyone else with this problem? How did you solve?

By the way I'm right handed and I work with computers all day along (maybe I have this issue with my left thumb due to all day typing and bar space hitting?)

Thank you very much and regards.

[outin]

Hello everybody! 

I have a very similar problem with my left thumb. As you can see in the attached pictures, my left thumb tend to do a strange curve towards the inner part of the hand. The right hand however is fine and the thumb is straight. I have this issue overall when I'm playing notes that are one octave away and therefore I have to extend my hand.

If I turn slightly my wirst to the left it's easier to have my left thumb straight, but I feel like it's not my natural hand position and I tend to go back to the initial position.

After a while playing my hand start to hurt a little (as if it were tensed). I'm not a professional player and I don't play piano for a living, but I'd like to fix this problem with my left thumb. Any ideas? Anyone else with this problem? How did you solve?

By the way I'm right handed and I work with computers all day along (maybe I have this issue with my left thumb due to all day typing and bar space hitting?)

Thank you very much and regards.

What you have is a collapsing MCP joint. I have seen some exercises for that in a book but cannot remember which one right now. It's kind of the opposite problem to what I have. You should work on it, because it may cause joint problems later.