Index Finger Pain In Palm

I have been having index finger pain in the metacarpal portion of my palm for about two months now. I saw two hand physios right away, one put it in a splint for 3 weeks but told me I could keep playing and lifting weights (im a personal trainer) it did not lesson up. Next my doctor began giving me trigger point injections in the palm and finger, I have now had 4, not much difference, he also gave me diclofenac gel to apply. I saw a physio twice that did shockwave therapy and laser therapy two times now. I am waiting to see a specialist finally, but could be a long while. I have heard that the fascia is tight or that it is from compression, nobody has given me a "this is what it is" diagnosis. I had an x-ray done, nothing, no pain to the touch, no clicking or locking, can't immediately bring on pain, just over time.[br][br]It gets worse throughout the day, lessons with heat for a bit I think. Is gone by morning when I wake up. My old splint, along with very cold water, has been giving me pins and needles in the backside of my finger, thinking my splint was too tight. I made my own splint from tape and have noticed a decrease today. I was thinking carpal tunnel but the doctor said he doesn't think so. I am beginning to think it is flexor tendinitis, anyone have experience with this? I have shows coming up, and I can play guitar without pain, but seems the pain increases the next few days after. Any tips or info is greatly appreciated.

Is this your fretting hand? if so try to replace all barchords with easier versions or if there is an other guitarplayer in your band then let him play the rhythm parts and you could play the leads which is way less stressing for the fretting hand.

Not possible, it is in my fretting hand, I play very fast speed metal, think Megadeth etc, I have my parts layed out.

I hate to say it but I don't have a choice anymore. I pushed through learning guitar for years and then I started having pain like you describe. I quit guitar for years. Then I got a gifted Physical Theripist. She got me back to the point where I could play, but I can no longer push my self to make progress. Instead, I have had to adapt to not pushing beyond that my hand will allow, without bitching at me for days after I put my ax down. As a result I have also had to realize that my condition makes me usless as a band mate. I am just to unreliable to keep up with the work needed to learn parts and be able to deliver on a given date for a gig. Trust me this is a real bummer you really want to avoid.

The reason I am writing this is to implore you to be careful how you push yourself to learn and practice. If you find a Medical Professional who you click with, stick with what they tell you to do. Also, look at how you hold your wrist. I found great relief in working to keep my wrist straight most of the time I am playing. I still bend it from time to time when I need to pull a thumb chord or a mute, but the rest of the time I focus on keeping it straight. But that is me you may have other problems to deal with.

Having a good PT involved in my guitar playing has many benifits. However the best thing I got out of it was having a parternership involving a RATIONAL ADULT. When I played guitar I was always too focused on getting better at all cost. I made a point of letting my PT know that I counted on her as my official RATIONAL ADULT. It was up to her to set limits. It was up to me to respect those limits. As such she was always looking at how far I should push to learn or practice. Unlike me she was focused on how far my wrist could actually go, without dammage, in any given week.

If you get a PT who wants to sit on the other side of the room from you and talk about exercise. Go find another PT, until you find one who is hands on and skilled at making your pain go away.

If you hand is sore after playing and it lasts for days... YOU SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT HOW YOU PUSH YOURSELF. Learning when to stop playing was difficult, but absolutly critical for allowing me to continue playing guitar... a pursuit I have enjoyed for 50 years. In closing I would offer this advice. Be careful and get a good PROFESSIONAL ADULT on your team.