For many guitarists, arthritis is the ultimate nightmare. The condition, which breaks down the cartilage that cushions joints, can cause pain, stiffness, and loss of movement in the hands and wrists—an especially cruel fate for musicians whose craft relies on dexterity. Yet for **Jake E. Lee**, the legendary former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, arthritis has become less of an ending and more of a challenge—a chance to reinvent how he approaches the instrument that defined his career.
In a candid interview with *Guitar World*, Lee opened up about how the degenerative condition has impacted his right wrist. “The cartilage is basically gone,” he explained. “I can’t feel it; it’s bone on bone. I’ve had to adjust my playing style to where I’m using mostly the elbow on the right hand, trying to use as much elbow movement as I can, while keeping the wrist movement down to a minimum.” The only surgical option, doctors told him, was to fuse the bones together, effectively locking his wrist in place—something Lee wasn’t willing to accept.
Instead, he’s adapted his style, learning to accommodate his body’s limitations while finding creative freedom in the process. “It’s made it interesting,” he said. “In a way, it’s like learning to play guitar again, even though I know how to play it. I’m having fun. Mentally—and as far as theory—I know exactly what to do, but I have to teach my left and right hands to accommodate me.”
Lee’s reinvention hasn’t stopped with technique. He’s also made adjustments to his gear to ease the strain on his hands. Once a fan of heavy picks, he now opts for lighter ones, which encourage a softer touch. Similarly, he’s switched to **seven-gauge strings**, much thinner than the standard sets used by most rock players. “It forced me to have a lighter touch with my right hand, and that’s been interesting,” he noted. “My left hand is also a little bit weak, so lately I’ve been playing with sevens to force myself to have a lighter touch.”
Far from being a compromise, this change places him in legendary company. “It’s interesting because Billy Gibbons uses sevens, and that’s what Tony Iommi and Brian May use, I think, and they don’t have a problem with getting a good tone.” The parallels with Iommi are particularly striking. After a factory accident cost him the tips of two fingers, Iommi relied on custom modifications—including lighter strings—to continue his career and eventually pioneer heavy metal with Black Sabbath.
Lee, too, sees inspiration in turning adversity into a new way of playing. Despite dealing with multiple physical challenges—including back problems and even recovering from gunshot wounds sustained in 2024—he remains remarkably upbeat. “The pain isn’t really my top concern,” he admitted with a wry smile. “I’ve had back issues forever, and wrist pain isn’t anything compared to that.”
What stands out most is Lee’s attitude: instead of mourning what arthritis has taken from him, he celebrates the opportunity to rediscover his instrument. “I can’t feel it. It’s bone on bone,” he reiterated. “But in a way, that’s given me the chance to start fresh, to rethink how I play, and to enjoy the process of adapting. It’s like being a student again, only with decades of experience behind me.”
For fans, Lee’s resilience is a reminder that artistry isn’t always about flawless execution—it’s about adaptability, passion, and the will to keep creating, no matter the obstacles. And for Lee himself, the journey continues, with a lighter touch, a new technique, and the same fire that’s driven his career from the very beginning.
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