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Playing clarinet with rotator cuff injury

Author: jw747
Date: 2013-11-19 01:10

Hi everyone! I'm in my 20s and play clarinet in a community college concert band as a hobby. I haven't been able to play in about two months due to a rotator cuff injury, including multiple tears. Has anyone else dealt with this injury? Were you able to find modifications in order to continue playing or did you wait until the pain was under control? Thanks for your help!

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Re: Playing clarinet with rotator cuff injury

Author: kdk
Date: 2013-11-19 02:50

I had a small tear in my right rotator cuff several years ago, but it couldn't have been as severe as yours because I never stopped playing. Most of the pain came from trying to do anything that involved raising my right hand and arm above my shoulder. As long as I kept the arm down (easy especially because it was the bottom hand) clarinet wasn't a challenge at all.

Treatment was ibuprofen and several weeks of physical therapy. No surgery.

What pain are you having while you play? Is your orthopedist recommending surgery to repair the tears?

Karl

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Re: Playing clarinet with rotator cuff injury

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-11-19 03:16

I assume you're going to an occupational therapist for appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises.

If the problem is with your right shoulder, the free and inexpensive solutions are resting the bell on your knee and using a neck strap.

Unfortunately, the Fhred stand, which holds the entire weight of the instrument, is no longer made. A handy mechanic could make an equivalent from parts of various percussion stands. You might try Mike Benthin's MUTS. He doesn't have a web site, but he's a regular on the Klarinet list, and you can contact him at the phone number given at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=269920&t=269885. See also http://test.woodwind.org/Databases/lookup.php/Klarinet/2001/04/000665.txt. If he's no longer there, Mark or Glenn can call him and ask him to call you.

I think the W.R.I.S.T. support http://chicagoreedcompany.com/wrist.html is still available, but it's expensive.

Ken Shaw

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Re: Playing clarinet with rotator cuff injury

Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-11-19 12:29

As suggested, a make-your-own total support is feasible. Surgery is possible and statistically highly successful

richard smith

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Re: Playing clarinet with rotator cuff injury

Author: BartHx
Date: 2013-11-20 03:34

After surgery, I added a neck strap and arm sling and kept playing without too much problem.

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Re: Playing clarinet with rotator cuff injury

Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-11-20 03:55

I had rotator cuff surgery about 4 years ago. No complications and highly successful. Before the surgery I rested the bell on my knee, I don't need to do so now. Thinking back to when I was a competitive rifle shooter, I tried wearing a heavy jacket with sleeves that gave some support. It sort of worked in the winter, but wasn't really practical in summer.

Tony F.

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Re: Playing clarinet with rotator cuff injury

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-11-20 12:39

Tony F -

Been there, done that. The jackets work, but they have to be fitted like a lobster shell, so that you can barely breathe. At least mine had thick rubber elbow pads but no arm support. That came from the sling.

Come to think of it, a target-shooting-type rifle sling design might also work on clarinet, though a neck strap is much simpler.

Ken Shaw

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