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Re: Right thumb CMC arthritis

Author: richardstone
Date: 2020-07-17 01:23

I have had right thumb arthritis pain for about 6 years and 3 years ago was forced to quit playing violin because the pain was so bad. I played in two regional symphonies. I decided I would learn to play the clarinet but did not take long for the pain to develop in the left thumb. Tried all of the thumb rest solutions. The Kooiman rest helped a lot but the pain continued to get worse. Finally went to the ortho. doctor yesterday. He took ex-rays and said bone on bone for both thumbs. He offered the surgery but suggested I try cortisone in both thumbs along with thumb splints. The cortisone has started to work after one day and the thumb splints allow me to play the clarinet just fine. They do not impede finger placement or hand movement and I could still use the Kooiman rest. The splints are called MetaGrip Thumb CMC Orthosis and come in several sizes for each hand. They were covered by insurance because they are a prescription. Don't know if they can be purchased on the Internet. I am sold after one playing session and see this as a way to continue playing along with pushing off an eventual surgery along with its several month recovery.
Hope this helps
Richard

richarddstone@mac.com

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