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Tendonitis

18K views 76 replies 33 participants last post by  seant 
#1 ·
Man, I've been spending alot of time on the computer. With Finale working on soem books and then working on my website. My right wrist and forearm feel really soar. Not likea sharp pain but a dull ache. It seems to ache all the time even when I'm trying to fall asleep. Is this tendonitis or something? Should I stay off the computer..... anyone have any knowledge in this area. It's even hard for me to type this. Thanks, Steve
 
#27 ·
I don't know if what I am currently going through relates to the above. I've played sax and flute full time for many years without any problems. Six or so weeks ago I started noticing a twitch in my right hand index finger and a tendency for it to wander involuntary from over the F key. I ignored it though complained to my wife that I couldn't coordinate my right hand properly. Finally two weeks ago at a session I couldn't depress the keys properly and my thumb and index finger were squeezing so hard involuntary against the horn. then my index finger started to curl in to my palm. I can't play at all now with this hand. today I went to the doctors . I have a spinal xray appointment tomorrow and more blood tests. i'm also trying to get to see a chiropracter but with the holidays it's difficult just now. I use a laptop and have never been much of a typist using one or two fingers foolishly. my doctor didn't think it was RSI as i have plenty of strength in my hand but when I apply it to the horn or flute it becomes very weak and curls in. the finger aches too. i have layed off the computor for at least a week with no improvement. fortunately although I'm full time in music my income mostly comes from writing. i'm very worried about this so any insight would be helpful.
excuse the typing i'm using a pencil.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Conditon good (rather tolerable, as I'm just now suffering of a nasty flu...:)

Anyway, had these symptoms. My age, of course...(now 68)
Still, I recovered very well by increasing my physical activity. In plain talk, I acquired light ( and upgraded to gradually heavier) hand weights ("dumbells").

Most of the my problems vanished after a half year - or so - activity.

I admit, it's really ridiculous. You know, I'm an old dog. Been around since the the end of 50's. Yeah.

But, as much as as I hated physical exercises, all my life. Taking up these - simple and easy - exercises, has greatly helped my playing.

It has made it possible!
 
#30 · (Edited)
And may I say: If you overwork on someting, it's very propable you end on overdoing it.

So give it time.
Try to resist the temptation of "having it all, at once, here and now".
And if you're practicing a lot, try to keep in mind:
These things need time to ripen. It's more than your fingers, it's between your years. Your brain. Are you ready for it?
Think of it.
And more you think of it, easier it becomes.
 
#32 ·
Always see a doctor with overuse injuries. Ask me sometime about my jaw problems...
 
#33 ·
Michael Ward said:
blood tests showed ESR which is enthrocyte sedimentation rate and an indication of inflammation. Hopefully this (and my doctor thinks so) is what has disabled my hand. I am on a course of anti inflammatory drugs and may have to see a specialist. I'm hopefull it will clear up soon and I can get back to playing with two hands...cheers
Many of us that work in medical laboratories wish docters would stop ordering the ESR. It's the least diagonostic test you could possibly run on a patient. Thousands of things can lead to an elevation in your ESR. Often times patients with RA have long term elevations so the doctor can use the test to check the effectivness of drug therapy, but outside of that docters use the test to begin their fishing expeditions when they have no clue what is wrong with their patients.

Since you've been playing for years and you didn't mention that you were cruching more hours than usual then more than likely you're not pushing past your physical limits and damaging yourself. Then again people go years in an occupation and then suddenly develop nerve problems.

Hows your overall health as far as weight, energy levels, and additional stress, and age.

You see more RSI in patients that are typically over weight and out of shape, have poor diets, smoke/drink.

Of course tendonitis is a whole other game, as its a permanent injury that effects everyone from the most seasoned athlete to the out of shape. In addition tendonitis can happen in a matter of seconds if you've overloaded to the working tendon.
 
#35 ·
It's a tough game diagnosing these kinds of problems and treating them.

Musicians and anyone that depends on their bodies to work want a fast cure so they can get back to work. Of course it can take months/years of rest before the healing process has time to truly work. Patience is a must for any musician so they don't return too quick and cause permanent injury.

If I were you I'd take a few months off from playing and then slowly rehab your way back into the game.
 
#36 ·
Michael

As you are in UK, check out this: http://www.bapam.org.uk/

It is a charitable organisation that holds lists of medical specialists around the country who specialise in medical problems related to performing arts

Chris
(Dr - GP special interest sports med...)
 
#37 ·
I wore a brace on my right wrist for 4 years - and was supposed to be wearing one on my left -but I refused. I had tendonitis from bad ergos using the computer starting when I was like 16 at work.

The brace was supposed to help by minimizing the use of the wrist - but since my job didn't change and nothing else changed (diet etc.) my wrist didn't get better either.

To make a long story short - went to one of those alt. health naturopathic docs - he said repetative stress was a problem and these were his recommendations:

1. improve ergos - if the wrists hurt you are doing something wrong - give them a rest - I switched to a trackball and moved it to my left hand - almost no wrist movement now - and a trackball is much faster than a mouse once you are used to it (I'm still on a pc all day)
2. improve water intake - should have at least 2quarts of water a day (not soda - not tea - water!)
3. take additional vitamin b6 & b12 - improves immune system and helps body heal itself
4. eliminate caffine - caffine suppresses your immune system - ie healing ability, it's a diuretic (makes you dehydrated), and uses up the vitamin B in your system - so there isn't enough left over for your immune system
(it was tough to let go of my coffee though...)

It really did help - after a while wrist didn't hurt as much so put brace away - 2 years later threw it out. I play bari and tenor probl 10 hours a week and no wrist problems any more. Now if my wrists bother me I pay attention and change my motion - because I'm doing something to aggrevate it (like a normal person). My wrists used to hurt 24-7 - enough to wake me up at night.
It may take a month or two to notice a difference using this (and tylonol when you need it) - but taking care of your wrists is important - and this is a good long term solution that worked in spades for me.
Good luck.
John
 
#39 ·
Michael

If it started from a time when you fell on your outstretched hand, I hope who you see considers an old fractured scaphoid in the list of possible problems. Hope you get this sorted out soon!
 
#41 ·
Michael,

Not based in London, I am on South coast.

It will be interesting to hear what the specialist says.

Chris
 
#43 ·
Well, I'm still having issues. Lately, both farearms hurt and it hurts to even pick up a book. My wife who is a nurse didn't think it was tendonitis before but now she thinks it is. I think I might have to take a break from this computer for awhile.I've tried all sorts of mouses and devices, positions..... It just seems to be getting worse. I'll see a doctor this week. Steve
 
#45 ·
The main value of wrist splints is that it makes you look crippled and people stop asking you to do stuff, so you rest. Also, they make doing stuff awkward so you rest.

If you rest long enough, the chronic inflammation gets a chance to ease off, and then you can s-l-o-w-l-y begin to do a bit at a time, stopping if pain recurs.

It's already lasted over 8 months, so as an unpaid, unsolicited medical opinion I would argue it's time to invest in recovery rather than hoping against hope that the thing will just stop. It always gets better, but it can get a lot worse first. That'll be $500 please (though as you so kindly give me such a bargain with the II-V-I exercises I'll waive the charge!).
 
#47 ·
I find that a high resolution mouse set at a high speed helps me. I'm a web developer, and gamer, so I am ALWAYS on the computer. I use a Logitech MX518 mouse, set to max speed. I move approximately 1/2 inch to get the cursor from one side of my screen to the other. Takes a bit to get used to the sensitivity, but it makes it such that you don't have to move nearly as much as an average mouse. Also make sure the mouse is sliding freely (most fabric mouse-pads will slow your mouse down creating resistance you have to push against... good for accuracy, but more demanding on your wrist. I use a hard smooth mouse-pad.)

Good luck with the soreness, however... if it really is tendinitis you've got a bit of recovery ahead of you.
 
#48 ·
I've managed it for over 10 years.
There is no "cure" but you can manage it correctly and keep the imflammation low or gone, and your hands can be fine.
Over use or wrong use and it will return. Heath is saying the same thing.
I don't know the medical details completely but there is some sort of inflamation chemical signal your body learns for this "itis".

Mine was diagnosed as tendonitits. I had nerve conduction tests done and the doctor told me that wearing the braces at night is probably what has prevented nerve damage.
Avoid surgery. Everyone I know how has had it has had symptoms reappear.
For me what works is:
Get a "natural keyboard" and track ball.
Do not use a regular mouse and keyboard.
You can even try a "foot mouse". They do exist.

When the wrists are bent the carpal tunnel size decreases. This causes friction on the tendons. This causes swelling which presses on the nerves which causes the burning, stinging, numbness, twitching.
Get some wrist braces to keep your wrists flat at night.

Regular icing when inflamed is the best. Freeze the wrists using an ice pack, (a bag of frozen vegetables works) be careful not to burn the skin. But get the wrists nice and numb. It's sort of painful at times but go through it thill they numb out. Then rest. You have to manage this. It will only get worse if you keep doing what you are doing that is causing the problem right?
You must be your own doctor, the only thing MD's seem to have to offer is
braces, ice, rest, drugs, injections, surgery. Try to avoid the last two.

Rest when you can. Do not shake your hands to try to get them to "relax" or exercise, or over stretch them when inflamed. It will only make it worse.
 
#49 ·
If you are having issues with one wrist be sure to put braces on both wrists. If you "immobilize" one wrist you will end up over using the other wrist leading to 2 bad wrists instead of the original one. In addition to people not asking you to do things you will remember that you are not operating at your peak and take it easy so you recover faster.
 
#51 ·
I had a problem with the tendons in my arm a couple of years ago. I had really bad pain on the side opposite my elbow. It got so bad I couldn't even shake hands with people without wincing. It even hurt to staple my student's papers together, so I got an electric stapler. The problem disappaeared two weeks later.

Moral--if it hurts--STOP.
 
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