Ugh - tendonitis?

April 23, 2009 at 11:53 AM

I mentioned annoying tendonitis-like symptoms a couple of weeks ago in my blog. They flared up right before my viola recital. I thought they were due to computer work. My work laptop setup is not very good. So I've been concentrating on trying to fix that--I got a nice ergonomic keyboard for it (rather than the small laptop keyboard) to try out.

But then last night at orchestra rehearsal, in which I'm playing viola, I noticed something worrisome. Every time I lifted my viola up under my chin, my left forearm would hurt a little bit, radiating from the wrist to the elbow. There was a passage I was fingering with a 4th finger extension on the G string. That hurt a little bit too. My teacher warned me about those. I refingered it in 2nd position so I don't have to extend.

I talked to one of my friends in the 1st violin section during the break. She's had a lot of tendonitis experience (I have not, except for the end of my PhD thesis, when I was pipetting too much). She suggested I might want to stop playing viola for a while. She also suggested taking some anti-inflammatories overnight. I did that last night and my arms feel better now.

The discussion I had with my teacher was a little worrisome, too. She has a viola student who had to stop playing altogether for a few months because of tendonitis.

I have a concert this Sunday. It would still be good, musically, if I practiced the music a bit more, but maybe I won't. I am not sure what to do.

I use a computer for a living, but I may have to minimize typing for a while, too. That would be better than minimizing practicing . . .

From al ku
Posted on April 23, 2009 at 12:21 PM

karen, as i mentioned before, i have no idea how you can manage with so many things on the plate! :)

concur that your computer setup HAS TO BE the most optimal. often, under the stress at work, we don't feel the discomfort until later, thus the term cumulative trauma.

tendonitis can be from many different areas in the forearm/wrist, may want to check it out with a pro if symptoms persist. to undo damage can take a very long time so try not to cross too many thresholds,,,

try find some down time where you don't use your arms and hands. i know that is tough, but your body needs a break:)

can you put a sign in your office for your coworkers: SHHHHH,,,my body is talking to me. :)

From Dottie Case
Posted on April 23, 2009 at 2:28 PM

Ha! Tendonitis due to too much pipetting!! I've heard of tennis elbow, violin elbow, and now pipette arm. Obviously scientist-speak...:)

I guess overuse injuries can surface from the most obscure activities, if done immoderately. I usually have trouble with my arms when I'm playing a lot of piano (octaves, esp. such as Beethoven Pathetique 1st. mvmt), especially when I'm also typing a lot at the same time. I've noticed that there are certain everyday things I can't do anymore, because it makes them flare up. Odd things....like tear bread for turkey dressing, use a paint roller or use scissors a lot.

My Dr.'s advice to me was to 'honor my symptoms'. By that, he meant don't overuse, keep anti-inflammatory drugs in me, rest and ice. I used arm braces for a while too....it did help. Not lovely, but useful.

Good luck.

From Bart Meijer
Posted on April 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM

Karen,

Basically, I can only sympathize. I do.

In some cases tendinitis may occur as a symptom of general surménage, and I wondered if that might apply to you. You are the one to know, obviously.

Get well, asap, please?

Bart

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on April 23, 2009 at 7:40 PM

amti-inflammatories and ice + a few days off is one of the most powerful receipie and everything goes away. (this is often recommended by doctors) Of course, it might be a bad habbit but not always. Mine were related with bad posture at my first school. I had a rest and a too long neck for it and all the problems that go with this!!! You can always try this if you haven't already. (I know it's a classical advice!) Ice is no fun to put, especially on shoulders when it drips on your back... but it is so effective!

Good luck!

Anne-Marie

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on April 23, 2009 at 10:34 PM

Greetings,

Ray wrote abotu a powerful cure (for him at least) from a vetinary surgeon. You might wnat to follow that up. (No, if you misse dit, I am not joking)

Cheers,

Buri

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