 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LaurieBell
Date: 2023-12-10 15:51
Arthritis has taken its toll on my index fingers which now curve at the top (DIP) joint towards my thumb and also cause a good bit of pain after playing for an hour. It looks like the only corrective option is surgery to fuse that top joint.
Has anyone else had this problem and surgical procedure? And if so, were you able to resume playing the clarinet?
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FYI - I realize another option is purchase a closed-hole Plateau Clarinet; however, I'm not sure that would address the problem of my finger pain.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2023-12-10 22:18
LaurieBell wrote:
> Arthritis has taken its toll on my index fingers which now
> curve at the top (DIP) joint towards my thumb and also cause a
> good bit of pain after playing for an hour. It looks like the
> only corrective option is surgery to fuse that top joint.
>
> FYI - I realize another option is purchase a closed-hole
> Plateau Clarinet; however, I'm not sure that would address the
> problem of my finger pain.
I haven't had the surgery, but I'm not sure I understand why a surgeon would recommend the procedure if he/she didn't expect it to relieve your pain. That's a question you should ask the surgeon directly.
Karl
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Author: hans
Date: 2023-12-10 22:36
Laurie,
I have the same arthritis problem, with twisting and painful index finger joints. Fortunately I have saxophones and they are more forgiving with respect to accurate finger placement.
The Mayo Clinic offers some information that may be helpful here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777
Hans
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Author: MarkS
Date: 2023-12-11 15:37
I have arthritis in the distal joint of my left hand index finger. It is not yet to the point where it has a major impact on my clarinet playing--unless I do repetitive exercises that require the A4 key. At some point I may require that joint to be fused. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a hand specialist who specializes in the performing arts. That is what I did.
If you want to find out whether a plateau clarinet would be helpful, there is an inexpensive one for sale on Amazon. Presumably, this would be returnable. If you determine that you want to switch to plateau, there are additional options such as Uebel. Also, you could consult Lohff & Pfeiffer regarding possible modification to your existing clarinet, such as conversion to full or partial plateau. They do outstanding work.
Mark
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Author: DougR
Date: 2023-12-11 16:11
Well, you have my sympathies as someone who's developed arthritic hand and finger issues, although not specifically like yours. I'm familiar with the cycle of: visits to the orthopedist, cortisone injections, surgery that in my case involved a prolonged (and somewhat crippling, although only temporarily) cessation of playing, and then slowly & painfully attempting to bring my playing back post-surgically to an acceptable level, which is an ongoing (and frustrating!) venture involving exploring the range of adaptive thumb rests, pads and gels, R hand positions, and hand strengthening exercises (playing a lot of bass clarinet being one of the best avenues for that).
I don't have anything specific to offer other than sympathy and encouragement, because we're all different, YMMV, etc. One thing I probably should have tried for pain BEFORE getting surgery, is acupuncture and/or other holistic/non-surgical interventions to deal with pain.
I have kind of the opposite problem with my forefingers; when the forefinger of my r hand is curved in a playing position, my forefinger tip bumps into my middle finger, which makes covering 1st finger holes on flute and A clarinet particularly problematic. I'm kind of doing OK with that now, after re-jiggering my R hand position on clarinet and flute and re-learning finger placement.
Chris P had a couple of interesting posts up about how he engineered a covered-hole addition to just the 1st finger hole of a customer's clarinet; that might be good to look at.
So again best wishes. I would try to find a hand doc who routinely treats musicians, if you can (AND a 2nd opinion, always a good idea); there's an outstanding hand surgeon in NYC named Alton Barron, who has a foundation that treats musicians with muscle/skeletal problems, possibly worth traveling to see.
Good luck!
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Author: RKing
Date: 2023-12-11 19:14
I am sorry to hear about your pain. I have not had any finger joints fused, but I did have three of my wrist bones fused on my right hand a few years ago due to an accident that broke my wrist years before. The pain had become so bad I could not bear to hold the clarinet on my right thumb for more than a few minutes at a time and a neck strap only helped a little.
I went to a hand specialist and after looking at the x-rays, she stated that a couple of my bones were already trying to fuse themselves together and my best option was to finish the job. So I had the trapezoid and trapezium bones fused to the scaphoid with everything stapled together.
My doctor understood my love of music and urged me to play the clarinet as much as possible, even when I was in the cast. So I built a stand that fit between my legs and kept the weight of the clarinet off my thumb while I exercised my fingers.
The bottom line is it took about six months for me to get comfortable with the instrument again, but now - four years later - I am doing fine and have even been able to move back to the bass clarinet. Those who play the bass might understand the right wrist has to bend more to play it, so for me to go back to the bass was a happy day for me!
My advice is to find a hand specialist if possible and let the doctor know that you play the clarinet. If they are anything like my doctor, they will be happy to work with you and help you live a better life.
All the best!
Ron
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-12-11 22:46
LaurieBell wrote:
"Arthritis has taken its toll on my index fingers which now curve at the top (DIP) joint towards my thumb and also cause a good bit of pain after playing for an hour. It looks like the only corrective option is surgery to fuse that top joint.
... I realize another option is purchase a closed-hole Plateau Clarinet; however, I'm not sure that would address the problem of my finger pain."
I guess that if your index fingers are severely affected by arthritis, the other fingers are affected too.
Even if you underwent the index finger DIP fusion, later on you may face a similar problem with another finger (or two).
So, regardless of whether or not you have the surgery, I'd look at the plateau option.
Someone suggested to get it off Amazon. I am not sure if it would be a good idea because you'd get a cheaply made and not well-regulated instrument.
A Uebel plateau probably would be your best option if you can afford it.
However, I do see plateau clarinets popping up on eBay, most of them are plastic Vito but sometimes I see a wood Normandy or LeBlanc.
One of those probably would be your most advantageous option price/quality-wise.
I recommend looking at used plateau clarinets only because the cheap clarinets sold on Amazon need some work done before you can play them. Most (if not all) leak air and are not adjusted properly.
Old Normanies and LeBlancs are not too far behind Buffet or Selmer in workmanship quality (I am sure there are players who will say that they are as good as any Buffet or Selmer).
Good luck!
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Author: DougR
Date: 2023-12-12 00:50
I have seen plateau clarinets (mainly Noblet) at Clarinets Direct in the UK; right now I counted 14 or 15 of them (!!!) on the drop-down menu, a mix of Normandy, Noblet and Leblanc, one Selmer (K series from 1930), one no-name, and one or 2 other non-Leblanc horns. They're not particularly cheap, and some of the listings may be dupes, AND they're in the UK, but if I were looking for a plateau instrument I'd consider them (thought he Uebel may or may not be a better instrument).
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-12-12 02:35
I just looked at the Uebel plateau prices: $6,410.00 for a grenadilla one and $7,768.00 for the one made of Mopane wood. Plus the tax.
Seems 'a little' high to me esp. if I were not sure it would solve the problem...
Post Edited (2023-12-12 02:36)
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Author: kennaanna
Date: 2024-01-23 08:51
I'm sorry to hear about your struggle with arthritis affecting your fingers. It's unfortunate that you're facing pain and considering surgery.
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Author: polinkuer12
Date: 2024-02-17 12:47
Uebel plateau price: $6,410.00 for a grenade and $7,768.00 for a Mopane one is definitely a high price for me, and I think I won't buy it
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Author: celemtine
Date: 2024-08-20 10:44
I haven't had surgery, but I don't understand why a surgeon would recommend it if they don't expect it to relieve your pain. You should ask your surgeon this question directly.half body sexdoll
Post Edited (2024-09-05 06:53)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2024-08-22 06:42
My situation is somewhat different, but this might be of interest anyway: I had a bit of a home accident 15+ years ago which resulted in surgery to my right-hand index finger. I lost about 1/2" of length on that finger and the top joint is fused. It has not really affected my ability to play any of the woodwinds, although with some of my oboes and German- (Oehler-) system clarinets I've added short extensions to the corresponding keys to get them a bit closer to that fingertip.
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