Left thumb tendonitis

[EdZ]

Vickie:

I am a 55-year old with two serious addictions -- golf and classical/flamenco guitar. I'm the kind of guy who can play 18 holes of golf, hit balls for another 2 hours, and then play the guitar for two more hours. For my day job, I work at a computer most of the day. All of those activities put large amounts of stress on the hands (especially classical guitar, which gets played a lot more in the winter). Though I can't golf here in the winter, I hit lots of balls indoors off mats (more stress).

Our golf season is just starting here in NY and for the past month I've been struggling with tendonitis in my left thumb -- some of the pain is near the thumb joint and some on the fleshy pad in the palm close to the wrist (but not actually the wrist). Just woke up with it one morning. The orthopod x-rayed the hand and found nothing, so we're assuming it's tendonitis. I'm sure I have a classic case of repetitive overuse (knew it might happen sooner or later).

I've been icing it (almost everyday), and taking lots (too much in my mind) of ibuprofen. I've stopped playing the guitar and have not yet played golf this spring, although I'll admit to hitting a few wedges and 7-irons in the school yard next door.

Ironically, I have NO pain when I hit. In fact, only a few movements of the thumb hurt, but then it's a very sharp pain; every other motion is fine. The few times I've hit a few balls, the next day the thumb is a little sore.

I'm quite disappointed that the problem still lingers after 30 days. It's a little better, but not much. Can this kind of problem take a lot longer to heal? Maybe I should take a long break?

I'm supposed to go to S.C. in a week for 4 rounds of golf. I don't want to bail out on the trip, so in desperation, I have an appointment 2 days before my departure to get a cortisone shot if needed (ouch!).

Any advice you could provide would be appreciated, whether pertaining to rehab, or exercises to prevent this from happening in the future (if that's possible). Not being able to play the guitar or golf has proven to be quite a life adjustment, although my family members probably think it's for the better!

Bruce

Playing that much guitar, I would assume your technique is pretty solid - certainly a must for good flamenco - but I can attest that in my earlier days of playing guitar, the left thumb wrist position being even just a little 'off' of ideal can really stress the thumb.