Klarinet Archive - Posting 000936.txt from 2000/07

From: Nancy Buckman <znjb@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Adjustable thumb rest for Eb clarinet
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 07:12:07 -0400

I have recurring carpal tunnel syndrome, for which I have sought treatment
many times from different providers. I have adjustable thumb rests on all of
my instruments. I have had surgery once on each hand. My left hand is
starting to numb-up again.
Before my surgery, I had worked with a P.T. and an occupational therapist.
I got measurable relief from both of them for quite sometime, but
eventually, in my case, I had to have surgery. I was told before surgery
that the problem could possibly return.

It has been about six years since the procedure was done and soon I will
have to start with the P.T again. A couple of years down the road, I will
probably have to undergo the procedure again. It's no big deal - more of a
nuiscance than anything else. The whole thing (both hands at the same time)
took about 20 min. and was done under local anesthesia. It isn't an office
visit type of surgery, though. You go into the hospital as an outpatient.
I view the whole situation as a casualty of the job. If I quit playing, I
wouldn't have the problem.

I was not able to hold anything in my hands for about ten days, even though
I was told it would take 8 or 9 weeks before I would be capable of
supporting the weight of the clarinet again. After the initial few days I
began trying to just curve my hand enough to grasp the clarinet and each day
as I was able to do a little more, I decreased the amount of time it took to
recover. It was about three weeks and I was playing with the clarinet
balanced on my knees for some of the time. My suggestion would be to take
the least resrictive course of action to facilitate playing and go from
there. If the problem gets worse you can always try the next step. Hope
this helps a little.

Nancy (zippy toilet chunks!)

The PT was the
>answer for me, and yes, my insurance covered it.
>
>Good luck.
>
>David
>(a.k.a. gidget rhinobuns...thanks Lacy!!)
>
>David Niethamer
>Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
>dnietham@-----.edu
>http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/
>
>
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>
Nancy Buckman
Pasadena, Maryland, USA
znjb@-----.net

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