Klarinet Archive - Posting 000511.txt from 2003/01

From: Karl Krelove <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Thumb Pain
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 16:53:49 -0500

It wasn't exactly the same thing, but the basic problem was similar. I had a
bout with "trigger thumb" about a year and a half ago. The mechanics of the
situation were probably different from yours, but it was a case of very
serious inflammation of the tendon at the base of my thumb. Pain, swelling,
stiffness, etc.... Ice was of no help, nor were rest nor over-the-counter
pain killers. I played for almost three months with it (I let it go
untreated for about 6 weeks, hoping it would clear itself up, but instead it
got worse), but it was very painful and I couldn't do much else with the
hand (my left, fortunately). What cleared it up were two injections of
cortisone about 6 weeks apart. If that hadn't worked there was a surgical
correction, which may very well not be available to you if the actual site
of the inflammation is different.

Your case may be very different.

Good luck with it.

Karl Krelove

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Audrey Travis [mailto:vsofan@-----.ca]
> Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 9:39 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] Thumb Pain
>
>
> I wonder if some of the list members with experience might comment on my
> situation. I have thumb pain (at the point base of my right thumb,
> where it meets the hand) when I grip things. It is also noticeably
> swollen at that spot (on the inside, towards the web between the thumb
> and the index finger). The pain occurs when I play clarinet since the
> thumb opposes (resists) what the right hand fingers are doing. The
> weight of the clarinet is not at issue here - I've always played with
> the bell on my knees and have recently tested this issue several times.
> Pain is now happening whe I grip a pen/pencil and write for only a few
> moments. A physiotherapist said I have tendonitis in my thumb and
> reccomended no playing, icing the area and taking Ibuprofen. Didn't
> help. The following week it was worse. I had tried not to use my
> thumb, but that was next to impossible. Then he made a splint for my
> thumb and said to wear it for two days (daytime only), then only as
> needed, but the problem is still there. I think the splint is making it
> worse. I see him again on Wednesday and would love to have some ideas
> from you to take with me. I get to try playing (with the splint)
> tomorrow night, but I'm not optimistic. At this point, he's ruled out
> joint problems, but I'm wondering if I should go see my doctor...
>
> Can anyone shed some light on this gripping (no pun intended) problem?
>
> TIA!
>
> Audrey
>
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>

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