Dave Mustaine of Megadeth has disclosed the condition affecting his hands, prompting his decision to embark on a farewell tour before retirement.

The thrash metal icons confirmed their upcoming self-titled album and its accompanying world tour will be their last back in August. They have since released three tracks from the album: “Tipping Point,” “I Don’t Care,” and “Let There Be Shred.”

Mustaine has shared some insights about his decision to retire after this final tour, elaborating on the specifics of the health issue affecting him during a recent interview with MariskalRockTV.

What Condition Is Affecting Dave Mustaine’s Hands?

While working on Megadeth in the studio, Mustaine experienced significant pain in his hands. He informed the band’s management about his struggles, which led to discussions about retirement.

“I just said one day to my management, ‘You know, I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna be able to do this.’ I didn’t say, ‘Hey, I wanna retire right now’,” he recalled.

The rocker demonstrated to the interviewer a condition known as Dupuytren’s contracture, which causes a thick cord of tissue in the palm that bends one or more fingers toward the center of the hand [via Mayo Clinic].

Dupuytren’s contracture is more prevalent in men than women and typically occurs after the age of 50. The condition progressively worsens over time, with treatments available only to alleviate symptoms and slow its progression.

The Mayo Clinic notes studies indicating a correlation between this condition and individuals who use “vibrating tools” in their professions.

READ MORE: Megadeth Cover Metallica Song Dave Mustaine Co-Wrote on Final Album

“It’s gonna make my finger come down like this,” Mustaine explained. “It’s already started, where it’s kind of bunching up a little bit. And then if you look at the tips of my fingers, they’re severely arthritic. So all those bumps make it really painful to play.”

Mustaine intends to undergo surgery to correct the condition at some point but wants to avoid any setbacks before Megadeth’s final tour begins.

“If I wait until my hands are causing a problem and I try it and it doesn’t work, well then I’ve toured everywhere, I’ve said farewell everybody and am not leaving stuff unsaid or unfinished.”

See the whole clip below.

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine Reveals Condition Affecting His Hands

When Does Megadeth’s Farewell Tour Start?

Megadeth will be out on Jan. 23, 2026, and the band’s This Was Our Life farewell tour kicks off a few weeks later on Feb. 15 in Canada. They will perform in various locations across North America, South America, and Europe throughout 2026, with some dates alongside Iron Maiden.

Mustaine mentioned to Kerrang! in November that Megadeth’s final tour is expected to span over the next three to five years, providing multiple opportunities for fans to catch them in or near their cities.

Check their website for all dates and ticket details.

In addition to Megadeth’s farewell, see more of next year’s highly anticipated tours listed below!