 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jArius
Date: 2004-11-26 02:13
Remember me? I just bought a friggin' heavy wooden clarinet and my entire right arm would fall asleep when I was playing for any longer than five minutes. You were all concerned that I could have some serious condition (Repetitive Strain Injury was specifically mentioned) and should see a doctor.
Well, it's official: I have a pretty serious case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The funny thing is, my left hand is worse than my right (I guess that's no suprise since I'm left handed), but it's pretty pronounced in both hands.
The doctor prescribed an occupational therapist, and I have to wear wrist braces while sleeping. He also wants me to wear them while playing (yeah, right) and while performing dextrous activities (like computer games :( ) He says if it doesn't get any better in a month or so they'll probably have to operate.
Thank you for your warnings. I didn't think this could happen to someone who was only 21 years old, but apparently it can. If I hadn't been warned, I probably never would have noticed until both hands were completely usless. (Apparently the thumb muscle atrophies in the most extreme cases.)
If you have any advice, suggestions, sympathy, or anything like that, please post them. I also want to warn anyone, if they have any abnormal pain while playing, or (which is an indication of Carpal Tunnel) your hands or arms go numb while you're sleeping or performing delicate tasks, please, PLEASE go see a doctor. Again, thank you for your warnings.
Jeremy Bruins
Proud member of the too-much-time-on-my-hands club.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-11-26 08:30
I'm glad, that you've seen your doctor! The most important thing that you have to do is let the arm rest, not playing for a month is probably the best..... I know this is difficult, but really try to do this. And then go to the Fitness and mention your problem, strengthen your wrest, arm and shoulder will help to prevent your problem.....
Of course I'm not a doctor, I only speak out of experience.
Eddy
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Author: idahofats
Date: 2004-11-26 15:04
Your doctor may be ultra-competent and absolutely correct, but a cautionary tale: my sister had Carpal Tunnel surgery on both hands, and her problem did not get better. In her case, there is a malformation of the cervical vertebrae, and she opted against further surgery--she simply tolerates the pain.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-11-26 15:13
idahofats wrote:
> Your doctor may be ultra-competent and absolutely correct, but
> a cautionary tale: my sister had Carpal Tunnel surgery on both
> hands, and her problem did not get better.
I think any surgeon will give you the sucess statistics for any type of surgery - I don't know of any that's 100%.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2004-11-27 15:34
You are describing Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (google it) as your sister's problem.
One of my pet peeves is seeing patients who have undergone carpal tunnel procedures who have TOSyndrome has the real underlying cause of the distress...statistically females in their twenties are the most common.
Before surgery for carpal tunnel be certain of the diagnosis. Nerve conduction studies, C-spine films, and an exam that includes thoracic outlet evaluation (I will not elaborate or you will get a diatribe as long as the score to the Ring Cycle) are part of this.
(author is a surgeon who operates on Thoracic Outlet Obstructive Syndrome)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: idahofats
Date: 2004-11-27 21:50
Thank you very much, Alseq! I will pass the information on to my sister, who was in her thirties when the condition manifested itself. And I did not mean any disrespect to physicians in general when I posted, but wanted to warn jArius that there are other possible problems with similar effects.
By the bye, my sister is also a probable "Downwinder," who had her thyroid removed in her teens after horrific trouble with hyperthyroidism.
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Author: jArius
Date: 2004-11-29 03:04
OpusII wrote:
> not playing for a month is probably the best.....
Well, it's already been at least a month since I stopped playing, so I guess I can probably start up again if I wear my splints. I tried doing this just a few hours ago, and it seems to work okay. (Go figure.)
Jeremy Bruins
Proud member of the too-much-time-on-my-hands club.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2004-11-29 12:14
Besides hand positions, special thumbrests, supports, and or neck straps for the clarinet, check your hand positions on the computer. The computer is a major cause/contributor to hand/wrist/arm problems if you use it a lot. They key is to keep the wrist relatively straight when typing or using the mouse. A bent wrist can potentially lead to problems just like it can with the clarinet.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2004-11-29 12:16
Further comment. If you have your computer mouse set up for the left hand, that could be a reason why the left is worse than the right.
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-12-28 14:26
Remembering first one or two postings, I regret not having carefully read the above through.
I'm curious about the 'operations' mentioned above. The operation that the anaesthetist (forgive me if it's misspelled) had on me took only 15-20 minutes. I had to hold icicle tubes whole afternoon and night.
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-12-28 14:37
Having had the operation and becoming aware of all the others who have this condition I am left wondering what the real cause is and what people did years ago when we only knew what a "carp" was. I really find it hard to believe that working a mouse et al or supporting a clarinet is the primary cause of the problem.
Bob Draznik
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2004-12-28 14:45
Working a mouse has been a tremendous source of trouble for many people, and we all are certainly folks who work a mouse and type a lot. This is not something to be discounted. As I understand it, anything which requires your hands to be in a particular position for a length of time can be a problem.
We should be wary of "rediagnosing" a doctor's findings, just as in the past we have been advised against questioning a teacher's advice.
Sue
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