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Re: RSI and Tendonitis

Author: oboi
Date: 2012-04-26 08:29

I had to deal with some extreme pain at the beginning of the year as I had over a month of no oboe playing and came back to an intense number of rehearsals and a new EH that I had to get adjusted to and learn how to play. Your doctor probably knows little so a specialist would be best. I still have recurring pain but at least I don't feel like my wrist is about to explode each time I pick up the oboe or horn. I have yet to get tested for carpal tunnel but will be. It took gradual conditioning of my hands again even for a single month of non-playing.

What had extremely helped me was finally getting my thumb in a comfortable position on the horn. When I first bought it, it had a fixed thumbrest. Short of finding an adjustable rest (of which there doesn't seem to be any that fit the existing holes), I bought a thumb cushion and taped it to the bottom of the rest. Before that, my thumb would be found under the rest which meant I tended to "drop" the horn lots and put lots of strain on my thumb to keep my hand in a stable position (I couldn't reach the 5th finger keys if I used the rest). Also, the FHRED has been extreme help. The only issue is making sure it is stable on the chair you are using and it doesn't slip. Your sitting position will have to accommodate it and you may need a non-slip pad on some chairs. I tried for kicks to play the EH standing up this week with a neck strap. Lasted about 5 minutes before I couldn't stand the pressure on my right hand. I'd only attempt that again if I had to do a solo standing up.

I sometimes have pain with the oboe but normally it dissipates after a day or two. If I get strain while playing I rest the bell a bit on my leg while playing (bad I know but what can you do?). I also rarely hold onto the instrument during extended rests/tacets, or at least don't let the instrument rest with my RH still holding it. My RH is off the instrument right away. It goes on the stand frequently or gets held by the LH. I also have a thumb cushion on the oboe. I notice right away that it becomes uncomfortable without it. Oddly, I think my sitting position has an effect on my wrists as well.... whether I sit near the edge or adjust the height of my chair. It makes me hold the instrument differently. I'd only use a FHRED for oboe if I was desperate as it forces you to be quite immobile (not too bad on the horn but problematic for oboe).

I have some sort of prescription balm for another issue which is a sort of muscle relaxant they give to athletes. Sometimes I use it on my wrist and hands and it helps a bit. If you have to do lots of practicing, have lots of breaks and if possible, as soon as you feel pain, stop. I'm not as young as you but young enough to be fairly concerned about pain and how it could possibly get worse in the future if I don't take preventative measures now. My day job is 100% computer work and so I have looked into office ergonomics as if my hand is wracked by work I don't stand a chance when I stress it more with oboe playing.

Now I don't recommend you swap instruments just because, but IMO, some oboes are MUCH heavier than others. Because of my wrist/thumb issues, that actually is a factor that I will consider when I buy a new instrument.

I know other oboists that have used some sort of splint. Not sure which kind they are. My doctor told me to get a splint to make your wrist straight and immobile but I don't see how I could play with it on. So her recommendation was to wear it before and after. Have not tried that yet, though.

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