Repetitively gripping drum sticks or striking a drum with our hands can lead to a number of injuries to the fingers, joints, tendons and muscles within the hand which can eventually lead to arthritis. Drummers and hand percussionists can develop pain in the palm of their hands or within the small joints of the fingers, which can be debilitating. The position with which we hold our sticks, traditional versus match grip, can also predispose us to stress across various joints and tendons of the fingers, which can lead to pain, tendinitis, joint capsule laxity, and eventually arthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in our joints wears down. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, though it most commonly affects the small joints in our hands, hips, knees and spine. Osteoarthritis typically affects just one joint, though in some cases, such as with finger arthritis, several joints can be affected.
Any joints in the fingers can be affected, however the most common portion of the hand affected is at the base of the thumb, known as the metacarpal phalangeal joint or basal joint.
Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms include pain in a joint during or after use, or after a period of inactivity, tenderness in the joint when light pressure is applied, joint stiffness that may be most noticeable after periods of inactivity, loss of flexibility limiting the ability to grip, a “rice krispy” or grating sensation when the joint moves, bone spurs causing hard bumps around the affected joints and swelling in the fingers of the hand.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage cushion at the ends of bones in our joints deteriorates. The smooth friction free surface of the cartilage becomes rough, causing irritation. Eventually the cartilage wears down completely, resulting in bone rubbing on bone and causing the ends of the bones to become damaged and painful.
When this develops in a drummer it should not be ignored and requires quick evaluation to prevent further deterioration of the joints and hand. Diagnostically, x-rays are the hallmark of the evaluation process.
Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms, as well as the clinical impairment that these symptoms can lead too. Once the diagnosis is made, non-surgical treatment begins including anti-inflammatory medications, ice, bracing, occupational therapy and possibly injections with corticosteroid medications. However, when pain becomes very severe, or does not respond to conservative measures surgical treatment may become necessary.
As musicians we rely on their hands to perform, it is imperative that we care for our hands and treat even the most minor of injuries aggressively. When a problem develops, or is identified, quick effective evaluation and treatment can help minimize the lasting affects of these injuries.