Help! I've got tendonitis, bursitis, or carpal tunnel!

[CJK84]

I'm 40 - and I'm a bassist trying to become a drummer.

About 5 weeks ago I apparently injured my left wrist during a two week span in which I practiced the snare drum (and only the snare) quite a bit.

I thought I was using good technique and played at modest volumes. Also, I was highly concentrated on making every motion as economical as possible. I had the sticks rising and falling in a single plane - no wavering - and was quite picky about the height the tips of the sticks would reach between notes.

Perhaps my overemphasis on perfect technique actually caused me to tense and caused my left wrist to absorb more shock than it can handle. Also, I now realize that this approach (robotic perfection in motion) was probably highly repetitive for my muscles.

I also shoveled snow a lot during this time - maybe that contributed.

Anyway, I've had a dull ache in my left wrist for 5 weeks now. It's not constant, but comes and goes. Today (all damn day actually), my left hand and entire forearm are a bit numb and tingly.

What can I do?

It's almost certainly a repetitive-strain injury, but it's not going away - even though I'm letting my entire left arm simply hang at my side or resting on my lap at nearly all times.

Please help !!!!! I've got a gig in less than a month and since we play fewer than a dozen times a year I really want to be on stage.

[ExaltBass]

Go see your (a) Chiropractor! You may need several visits and do the exercises he says! I visited mine just before a recent gig and he made it possible for me to get through it. I have since worked with him to pull back to 'normal'.

[spindizzy]

Ok. First of all you are seeking info from bass players and not doctors so be careful who and what you listen to. My best recommendation, based on the fact that you have had symptoms for 5 weeks or more is go see your doctor.

I have considerable difficulty with bone and joint pain (I am 55 so it goes with the territory) as well as stiffness that gets particularly bad in the winter. My hands are very much affected by the cold and all of my problems are worst after cold exposure.

I take extra strength Tylenol twice every day as a rule to help with inflamation and stronger anti-inflamatories when symptoms are worse (doctor perscribed, see first suggestion). I massage my hands, wrists and forearms under warm water (not hot!) and warm up slowly taking breaks often to allow muscles and joints to rest. I am increasing mindful of how I use my hands, fingers, wrist and arms when not playing as much as I am when I am playing. I discovered a few years ago that the pain and stiffness in my thumbs was the result of how I held my steering wheel when I drove, not from playing. I must have been so use to having my left thumb pushing against the back of my neck I would hold the steering wheel the same way with just the fleshy part of the tip pushing oposite of my fingertips. This was putting extra stress on both my thumbs and my fingers resulting in pain when I played. Once I stopped holding the steering wheel of my car this way (gripping now with thumb and fingers wrapped around and the pressure on my palm) the pain went away and my thumbs don't hurt or get stiff like they used to.

Best advice for you though is a quick trip to the doc to rule out anything bad and for thier advice as to treatment.

Hope this helps...it sucks getting old.

[CJK84]

Guys, thanks for the advice.

I should've added that I haven't tried playing the drums with my left hand for 3 weeks (at first I thought the dull pain was simply a minor annoyance that would quickly go away so I continued playing).

I hate going to the doctor for anything, but I will if need be.

spindizzy, it's odd that you mentioned the steering wheel issue, because since becoming injured, I've tried to be as highly aware as possible of the tension in, and position, of my left hand in everything that I do - and the grip I use on the steering wheel is one of the first things I "studied".

Would placing my arm in a sling be helpful (to completely immobilze the arm)?

Does Tylenol address the injury? Or merely ease the pain?

[PrimusNut]

I have been having wrist pain in my left wrist while playing since about October of '06, and I am only 18. I injured my wrists (yes, both) in a fall when I was really young, way back when Bill Nye the Science Guy was cool! I must have been... 8? Anyway, back to the point. I have not seen a doctor. I adjusted my playing technique, mostly just my thumb position on the back of the neck, and moving my whole hand when playing a long stretch instead of just pivoting my thumb. Did you have any wrist injuries when you were younger? The strain of playing drums, AND bass could have made things worse if there was former injury. There were some days when my wrist would hurt while just holding it still, while sitting at the computer.. Which reminds me, the way I held my hands while typing also made the pain worse. Usually it is not just one thing that makes it hurt, but a number of things you do in everyday life all combined together.

I would say if it is bothering you a lot, and the pain is quite bad, see a doctor. Also, massaging it works a bit, as well as stretching before doing anything strenuous (sp?).

Wrist pain sucks, because you never know what it is until you see a doctor, and if you dont see a doctor, playing bass (or drums, or guitar) could just makes things a lot worse.

[PrimusNut]

Tylenol is an anti-inflammatory as well as a pain reliever.