Tendonitis

October 26, 2006 at 9:36 PM

I went to the specialist today and I don't have nerve damage or anything torn, but I do have tendonitis in the hand between the 3rd and 4th fingers. She gave me some samples of Celebrex for it, and recommended hand warmers before I play.

When I got home there was a message offering me two last minute jobs, tomorrow. I need them, but am going to pass. First of all, with limited practice, I am worried about the Symphony music. Second, why risk it? Sounds like a long day in the midst of a long string of working weekends anyway.

I hate to say no, but I think it the smartest, at this point. I'm still at 25-35 min. practice sessions, broken up. All because of a few minutes. Although, from what I know of tendonitis, it is a repeated mvt. injury? Or can it be more like a sprain? I should have asked.

Being a good girl and not typing very much. So this is all I will write today. Hope everyone is having a good week.

Sals,
JW

From Tom Holzman
Posted on October 27, 2006 at 2:03 AM

I am not sure I understand your distinction between a repetitive movement injury and a sprain. The tendon is what attaches the muscle to the bone. Tendonitis is what happens when you strain your tendon. You usually strain your tendon because your muscle is not strong enough to do what you ask of it or because you strain your tendon some other way. Normally with rest, ice anti-inflammatories, etc., it will go away. Sometimes, it doesn't; I have chronic elbow tenonosis in both arms which I have reduced to the level of a minor nuisance using weights to strenghten the muscles. I hope this explanation helps a bit. Medical professionals in this forum will undoubtedly add their $0.02. Good luck, and I hope it goes away soon.

From jennifer steinfeldt warren
Posted on October 27, 2006 at 4:30 AM

Thank you, Tom. I read a bit about it, because I realized I was uneducated about the anatomy of the hand, though at one time I really knew it well (through a very good art study). Anyway. Since it is isolated to the hand/finger space, I think maybe it is inflammation of the "sheath" around the tendon, causing the tendon to respond with it's own pain. It was hard to decipher, though, because most things I found involving that part of the hand was called 'trigger finger', and tendonitis was in the wrist and thumb joint. However, my problem is with the area around the hand between the 3rd/4th finger knuckles/hand bones (forgot the termonology already!). So I think you are right, it is a strength issue.

The reading stated that tendonitis is caused by overuse, strenuous exercise, and repetitive tasks. Carpel Tunnel travels, tendonitis doesn't? I really didn't find good sources, I think. I'll look into it again tomorrow.

I guess playing the violin can be considered strenuous exercise. Though, I tend to think if it is strenuous, I need to evaluate my technique.

I spoke to another violinist at the concert and she iced her arms after the performance. That Gershwin overture and ending...

I am going to start a thread on composers who write for string instruments using the piano as a guide...Beautiful music, but not so sensitive to our instrument.

From jennifer steinfeldt warren
Posted on October 27, 2006 at 4:38 AM

My dad had tendonitis in his elbows, too. He was a professional paino technician/tuner as well as violist/violinist. I can't imagine how you'd have to condition yourself for that. I tried piano tuning one summer, and it can be TERRIBLE on your wrists/arms/back.

Are string instruments more injury-prone to play than others?

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Tendonitis

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