Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
Posts: 1708
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA
Alza Pua Sprained Thumb
After a lot of alza pua practice, my thumb has felt sprained, and the bump at the base on the bone (near the web) is much bigger. Has anyone else experienced this?
I usually strain my thumb at the next joint up when practicing pulgar lines for a long time. But I feel it on top of the bump like you described. It can take a long period of rest (for me) before I can get back into the game without reactivating it.
Yes, Ethan; I have had the same problem exactly as you describe. I went to a highly recommended young hand surgeon and he said he could "just go in and clean things up." He also stated the full recovery could take up to three months. At that I asked if continued use would cause permanent danger. His "no" response was the clincher. I kept playing but did find relieve by soaking a cotton ball in a epsom salt solution and taping it to the joint every night. The pain and swelling decreased greatly in a few days. Since that time, about a two years ago, I have had no more problems except a little soreness if I play very hard for a long period. But, it never hurts to consult with a physician. Good Luck
Ah OK. The closest to that spot is the extensor pollicis longus tendon (long tendon of the thumb) and the sheath that envelopes both longus and brevis extensor tendons. I am assuming you can move you thumb, so you have not torn anything, it is just irritated.. The other thing that happens close to that region is "skier's/gamekeeper's thumb" where the ulnar collateral ligament gets injured/torn. That's the bone-to-bone connection at the MCP thumb joint on the side of the 'web'.
In any of these the general treatment seems to be rest it, take anti-inflammatories (like Advil), wait 4-6 weeks for it to heal. But of course do consult a physician if you can.
Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
the bump at the base on the bone (near the web) is much bigger. Has anyone else experienced this?
Sorry to hear that. If it is any consolation I traumatised my right thumb when I was hit and run on my bike many years ago. The lower base knuckle to which you, I believe, are referring to is still quite larger than my left thumb but it has never given me problems with pain. However I still blame that for my poor pulgar/alza pua. Gotta look for excuses anywhere I can.
Printable Version
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread