Fingertip and DIP joint pain?

[rebus0]

Hi,

I'm new here and have been browsing recently trying to find threads discussing similar issues to what I am experiencing, but have found limited information, and so wanted to make a post to ask others' thoughts. I have loved the detailed responses and advice, both here and on PianoWorld, in the threads I did read. Thanks for visiting and I welcome any feedback.

I have been experiencing new pain in the fingertips and DIP joints (more pronounced in the index and middle fingers on my right hand, but occurring in multiple joints - the middle finger on my left hand to some extent, and depending on what I am practicing, my right pinky and ring fingers). The pain in the fingertips feels like bruising, whereas the DIP joint pain feels more arthritic and worsened with lateral instability. This has been going on for about a month and I believe it is correlated with both my learning a piece which is fairly demanding for me (Christopher O'Riley's arrangement of "I Can't" by Radiohead - intensely beautiful but requiring a good amount of spread of hand/fingers and some lateral strain of the joints due to the speed), the arrival of my new digital piano (Roland GP6, previously playing Roland FP10), and probably exacerbated at work where I am using a mouse and keyboard. I have noticed that when I occasionally collapse my joints while playing, this seems to worsen the issue and in learning about crimp injuries in rock climbing, I believe this tendency is at least partly contributing as well; I have been revisiting my technique with that aspect, and using tape to stabilize the more problematic joints when not playing. Other context would include a fall on my outstretched right hand while cycling a couple years ago, which took some time to heal and I feel sometimes my right wrist is less mobile than my left.

I've been playing classical for most of my life, and have not experienced this type of pain, at least not to this extent - even with pieces like Prokofiev's Toccata op.11. I just saw a doctor and had XRs done, so hoping for a direction there.

Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear if anyone has experienced something similar, or thoughts/potential solutions.

[lostinidlewonder]

You simply should not be playing if it is the playing causing this injury, you will do yourself no service. Wait for your fingers to heal and then try again. You likely have over practiced and pushed through pain barriers. You should always stop if you feel sore or tired, it's very common sense but still pianists will ignore it and then suffer in the long term, just not worth it.