Author: vboboe
Date: 2009-11-11 06:15
perhaps some temporary splinting, used only while practising, might help get over the first few months, as well as therapeutic exercises?
exercises would strengthen the thumb gradually over several months, so there's a 'meanwhile' period which temporary splinting might help
economic suggestion -- experiment with cutting short pieces of popsicle sticks to make little splints, round off the edges with a file, use cotton padding on skin side, bind with ouchless first aid tape, remove all when finished practising
Use two splints, above and below the thumb joint, so thumb-rest is resting on the splint, not the thumb itself
With a bit of designing, such as taping on the padding nicely, the splints could be made 'reusuable' and kept in a pocket or oboe kit until needed next time
As necessary, experiment with using long popsicle sticks, right into the web of thumb & palm and/or underneath into heel of thumb, whatever gives most support as comfortably as possible
a piece of hose pipe used as a sleeve over the thumb might work if it fits OK
a rubber cushion on the thumb-rest itself might also help as well, especially long term, because the joint's scar tissue might continue to be quite tender
even when exercises have strengthened the muscles
practise on a much lighter plastic beginners oboe, reduce the weight until exercises have improved the situation
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