 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Betty
Date: 2004-09-23 13:44
'A summer of concerts and heavy practices...every night of the week playing. ...I just finished 2 months of wearing a really irritating confining splint...I wasnt supposed to be doing any playing, but hey...when ya gotta play, ya gotta play!! Anyhoo, now the splint is off, hand therapy is done, pain is still present...Dr sez: cortisone or operation (Neither is option for me) I am going to just 'work thru it' ...so is anyone else going thru DeQuarvain's? Are you using some type of splint for support while playing? The one I use is too restrictive in the wrist...I need something to provide more support in the thumb area so it isnt pulled back so much from the weight of the instrument.
I DO wear a neck strap also, and probably own a half dozen other various splints and hand/wrist supports but havent found the right one yet for playing......Anybody?
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Author: sbbishop
Date: 2004-09-23 15:16
Betty,
I am a little puzzled.
Why would you ignore the doctor's instructions? The first step in treatment for this is not doing what caused it in the first place. If you aren't willing to do the obvious(i.e. follow your doctor's guide lines for care and treatment). Why ask us?? There is no 'magic pill' available for this.
My only advice would be to do what the doctor advises, and to discuss with the doctor if altering the placement of your thumb rest might help the situation.
Post Edited (2004-09-23 15:19)
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-09-23 16:36
"discuss with the doctor if altering the placement of your thumb rest might help the situation."
Cogent thought---However:
1. What "kind" of Dr. do you have? Does he play any musical instrument that requires repetive hand movements? Does he know what the heck he is talking about re: possible movement of your thumb rest and the related stresses it may or may not relieve?
2. Depending on the type of DR., I would suggest that you play this one very carefully. I have RA and my own options are limited (as is my playing). Do not "try to work through it"--In the long run that is more stressful than putting it aside for a while and studying theory or something.
Bob A
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Author: Betty
Date: 2004-09-23 16:54
My Dr is the type that treats sports injuries. The injury was caused by a fall last year..no broken bones...I am NOT ignoring the Drs advise/treatments...the surgery/cortisone is a suggestion given that only has about a 30% success rate in taking care of the pain. What I want to know is if anyone else is dealing with this type of pain and if they have found a support band that is helping them to keep playing. *I layed off the playing for about a month and then HAD to play due to PAID dinner theatre/concert obligations..and that included practices! Doc sez I can/will play again, but NOT without pain..he does NOT play an instrument (he sez) so he is stumped as to what type of support to advise. NOT looking for a 'magic pill'...I only asked because I know others with this type of injury DO keep playing..I was hoping there was someone HERE.
Betty
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-23 17:06
Get the Cortisone shot and go from there.
Get one of the BG neckstraps and play with from now on. It will help you to support the Clarinet and relax your hand at the same time.
I've had Dequervains Syndrome (not from Clarinet at all - from a Car Accident) - it can take quite some time to heal.
If you rush it than plan on having it for several years instead of several months. Make progress in terms of 2-3 months at a time, not weeks.
ps - the shot didn't hurt one bit and helped a LOT.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-09-24 00:00
Funny, my cortisone shot hurt like hell and didn't help a bit. {Sadder and poorer}.
Bob A
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-24 00:12
Bob A - take Bob D's advice 
I totally wasn't a believer of them either. It really didn't hurt one bit for me and this was the 2nd time I had it (one in 1989 and one in 2002). 2 Different hand Surgeons and neither one hurt at all.
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Author: Andrewcn
Date: 2004-09-26 04:50
*first post yay*
I had a problem with my hand - getting a fair bit of pain when I was playing, and tried a neckstrap all of that but none of it really worked.
Found an Aussie device (gotta support the locals ) that is called a pan support which seems to be doing the job at the moment. theres a bit of info (piccies and such) on the website which pretty much shows how it works.
Catch
Andrew
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Author: Kev
Date: 2004-09-26 05:07
I don't know if this would help, but you might want to look at the thumbrests that Ton Kooiman makes. Their top model costs something like $150 but they have a similar one for $20. It's really helped me a lot.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-09-26 21:19
Betty --
Have you tried the "fhred" support? My stand mate used one last summer (the lower-cost version), and she found it a lifesaver. Do a Google search and you will find it.
Susan
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-26 22:50
Koomian one for $20 is plastic. I know a player who likes it a lot.
Post Edited (2004-09-26 22:50)
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Author: Andrewcn
Date: 2004-09-29 00:07
I looked at the one that sits on the seat, and thought it would be a bit cumbersome. For a start, the one I use can be used standing up.
If you are a serious about continuing playing then I recommend you check it out.
Do a google search on pan clarinet and it should be there.
Comes recommended from me
Catch
Andrew.
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