Klarinet Archive - Posting 000059.txt from 1999/11

From: "Dodgshun family" <dodgshun@-----.nz>
Subj: Re: [kl] clarinet thumb support and hand problems addendum
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 03:31:49 -0500

> >I can't answer the original question at this time as I am only a
> >beginner, but I would like to add a question of my own to this thread.
> >After many years of downhill skiing my thumbs have taken a lot of abuse
> >from the constant pounding of the poles, and having the straps wrapped
> >around the palm and thumb. Needless to say, when I try to practice for
> >any extended length of time I have a fair amount of pain in the joint at
> >the base of my thumb. Although it has been many years since I last went
> >skiing the pain is still there, although thankfully not as severe as it
> >was. Any hints or suggestions to this problem would be appreciated.
> >
> I suffered a skiing injury to the thumb from pole straps myself some years
> ago - ripped the tendon right off the bone at the base of my thumb. The
> injury is referred to as "gamekeeper's thumb," apparently a reference to a
> repetitive stress injury gamekeepers were prone to. Fortunately, I hurt
my
> LEFT thumb and, while it is still noticeably weaker than the right, was
> strong enough for clarinet playing, and even piano, almost as soon as the
> cast came off. It would have been another matter entirely had it been the
> RIGHT thumb!
>
> I would recommend using a neckstrap. I have been using a Claricord
lately,
> which, being elastic, takes SOME of the weight off the thumb without
taking
> away all of your flexibility. Firmer support is available with some other
> straps.

I sprained my right thumb snowboarding a few months ago; while it wasn't a
serious injury it still played havoc with my clarinet playing for a while.
When I got back into playing again I took it slowly and built it up
gradually. Strengthening exercises from a physio may help. Also, it might
be worth looking into a Kooiman thumbrest - weight goes on a different
place.
Of course, once my thumb had come right I managed to dislocate my RH little
finger at the base (another snowboarding crash - the last run of an
otherwise perfect day!) and that's still not 100%, despite the injury
happening about nine weeks ago. I can't straighten my finger and the
knuckle (not even the joint I dislocated) is still slightly swollen.
Doesn't affect my playing any more, but it made it difficult for a while.
The happy side of that crash was that if I hadn't been wearing rollerblade
wrist guards, I would have had a broken wrist to contend with! Am I glad
about that!

Anna

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