When Your Wrists Let You Down

[sal4bass]

(Sorry for long post). I am frustrated. In the 80s and 90s I was a regularly working bassist in a variety of groups (classic rock, blues, country, and hard rock). Before that I played upright in school, my local symphony, and swing band. 12 years ago, my rock band began a recording session. Midway through the first night, my left wrist started to feel very weak. It became difficult to fret notes accurately even with low action and light gauge strings. I had no numbness or pain, just unexplained weakness. The next night within 30 minutes of playing, I suffered a painful sensation of "electrical shocks" run through my forearm and wrist and my ring and middle fingers were twitching involuntarily. I could not physically continue to play my instrument. 6 months later I still couldn't play for more than a night or two without weakness and numbness returning and throbbing wrist pain with swelling now accompanied the other sensations. I had to drop out of the groups I played with.

Doctors told me I suffered from chronic tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. They told me I most likely had a buildup of scar tissue in my tendons formed by years of playing bass. (I’ve playing since age 7 on upright bass. I have small wrists which I am sure contributed to the problem). Tests which showed my condition to be 7 out of 10 on the severity index. The specialist indicated he preferred not to operate as in some cases it makes the condition worse, and felt with strong anti-inflammation meds it would over time resolve itself. For the next 2 years I tried to rehab my wrists (wore wrist braces and took large amounts of anti-inflammation meds (which caused my ears to ring constantly). In the end I decided my music days were behind me and sold off much of my gear and stored the rest.

During this time my wife and I had a family. A couple of years ago my oldest began to play guitar and my youngest saxophone. They listened to my old band recordings and wanted to “jam” so I got out my gear and we played for fun at home. This led to the purchase of a digital recorder we use. I had no reoccurrence of problems. About a year ago my church found themselves in need of a bassist. I told them I could read music and agreed to fill in for a while, which turned into playing regularly. I love it! I even bought a couple of basses over the past year. I mostly play Fender Jazz Basses with low action and extra light strings (40-95) to keep things as easy on my wrists as possible. I also have a Peavey Cirrus 4 that is strung with DR Hi-Beams in extra light gauge (40-95). Again low tension strings and low action.

I stretch carefully and try to keep my posture and hand positions as correct as possible. But suddenly last week without warning the weakness and pain in my left wrist returned almost overnight. Within a couple of days it became severe. Now I am on Advil round the clock. I can still play but it hurts. I don’t want to have to quit playing music again – heck I just got my chops back.

Has anyone been down this road before with chronic tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome? If you could share your experiences and suggestions it would be an encouragement to me. I have an appointment with a specialist next week. This is really depressing.

[LowEnder2112]

aw man that sucks. hope i or my fellow bass players don't get that. it must be terrible.

[PocketGroove82]

Sal, I'm sorry to hear about your condition. I've never experienced chronic tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome, but I did have a bad bout with one of them when I was only 16, uneducated, inexperienced, and playing bass at a church 5 days a week.
It got to the point where my plucking hand fingers opened and closed slowly, like they were stuck in molasses. Thankfully, I was able to play through it and after a month it went away.
Anyways, I thought I would share a story with you.

I was playing at that same church on a Sunday morning and after the worship I put my bass down and cracked my knuckles. Something felt very wrong in my hand.
I was experiencing a throbbing pain that started in my middle finger knuckle and was traveling up my right forearm and into my bicept and shoulder. I thought I had inadvertantly broken my own finger.

The next thing I know, I'm in darkness and hearing people calling me back from the dead, speaking in tongues, praying, and rebuking Satan (that's the type of church I was raised in). Needless to say, I was FREAKED OUT. After about a minute of listening and thinking I was dead, I realized where I was and that I was scaring the crap out of the congregation, so I opened my eyes and, sure enough, I had passed out from the pain, cracked my head open on the sharp edge of my SWR amp, and been on the floor of the stage for about 2 minutes. Then the service continued on, but afterwards everyone was all over me asking questions.

The doc said it was a vasovagal reaction. Talk about a wild Sunday.
I hope your condition mends itself and then never gets in the way of your music.

When I had tendonitis of the knees, during basic training, all they could say was ice it 3 times a day (which was impossible at the time), take anti-imflammitories, and stretch it out. They called it "over use syndrome", but I know you have heard all this before. Get Better!


Matt

[sal4bass]

Originally Posted by LowEnder2112

aw man that sucks. hope i or my fellow bass players don't get that. it must be terrible.

Hi Mark. Yes, it is pretty frustrating. I was really hoping since I laid off playing for such a long time I could gradually work my way back up to speed without problems. That appeared to be the case until recently. I dunno, maybe I am just going to have to admit to myself my playing days are behind me. I'll wait to see what the specialist recommends. He has lots of experience working with these issues, so we'll see.

[sal4bass]

Originally Posted by PocketGroove82

Sal, I'm sorry to hear about your condition. I've never experienced chronic tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome, but I did have a bad bout with one of them when I was only 16, uneducated, inexperienced, and playing bass at a church 5 days a week.
It got to the point where my plucking hand fingers opened and closed slowly, like they were stuck in molasses. Thankfully, I was able to play through it and after a month it went away.
Anyways, I thought I would share a story with you.

I was playing at that same church on a Sunday morning and after the worship I put my bass down and cracked my knuckles. Something felt very wrong in my hand.
I was experiencing a throbbing pain that started in my middle finger knuckle and was traveling up my right forearm and into my bicept and shoulder. I thought I had inadvertantly broken my own finger.

The next thing I know, I'm in darkness and hearing people calling me back from the dead, speaking in tongues, praying, and rebuking Satan (that's the type of church I was raised in). Needless to say, I was FREAKED OUT. After about a minute of listening and thinking I was dead, I realized where I was and that I was scaring the crap out of the congregation, so I opened my eyes and, sure enough, I had passed out from the pain, cracked my head open on the sharp edge of my SWR amp, and been on the floor of the stage for about 2 minutes. Then the service continued on, but afterwards everyone was all over me asking questions.

The doc said it was a vasovagal reaction. Talk about a wild Sunday.
I hope your condition mends itself and then never gets in the way of your music.

When I had tendonitis of the knees, during basic training, all they could say was ice it 3 times a day (which was impossible at the time), take anti-imflammitories, and stretch it out. They called it "over use syndrome", but I know you have heard all this before. Get Better!


Matt

Thanks Matt. Wow, that was quite an experience you had! Amazing how if we get pressure on a nerve it can really ring our bell quickly.

I am praying that there will be some form of treatment that will be effective for me. You know as a bass player what a big part of our lives playing music is, and it is depressing to think these chronic wrist problems may prevent me from doing it anymore.

[ReBass]

I feel your pain, Sal. I've had some of the same symptoms for years. And I stopped playing for a few years, too, with the same results once I started again. My only real solution, short of stopping playing, is to play in small batches - no more than an hour or two at a time and I make a conscious effort not to "pull" too hard on the strings. I've also made myself warm up very slowly before playing too hard or too fast.

Good luck, and take it easy. If nothing else the pain has forced to realize (in a good way) that good bass playing isn't necessarily about playing at mach 5 for 3 hours straight.

[sal4bass]

Originally Posted by ReBass

I feel your pain, Sal. I've had some of the same symptoms for years. And I stopped playing for a few years, too, with the same results once I started again. My only real solution, short of stopping playing, is to play in small batches - no more than an hour or two at a time and I make a conscious effort not to "pull" too hard on the strings. I've also made myself warm up very slowly before playing too hard or too fast.

Good luck, and take it easy. If nothing else the pain has forced to realize (in a good way) that good bass playing isn't necessarily about playing at mach 5 for 3 hours straight.

Thanks ReBass. It sounds like your experience has been very similar to mine. Yep, I may need to really make my time with the instrument count and plan each note carefully. I'm hoping there may be some exercise options that will minimize the problems - time will tell. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[Fine Cut]

back when i was 15 playin in a punk cover band, i had over extension problems with my elbow from strumming too agressively with a pick...i quit for about 4 months, then started into funk, got away from the pick, and God's seen fit to allow me to keep playing. I'll be prayin for ya man. Who knows, maybe God'll use this to open another door that, dare i say it, will provide as much joy in ur life as playin ur bass does (if that's possible) ...hope all turns out well

[jschwalls]

man, I feel your agony... I had some problems years ago, and went to a doctor ASAP...My fingers were locking-up and my forearms would swell and have an incredible amount of pain. He helped me to fix what was developing... over the past few years I have noticed a BIG reduction in speed and agility on the bass... I have always played my basses with 45-105 strings and medium action.. I just hated the low action myself... Well, I have always enjoyed SPEED, playing fast and accurate was what I enjoyed the most... I guess with age everthing kinda slows down a bit.. or so I thought.. Last year I decided that I wanted to play guitar, for fun not on a gig... So I did... The extreme lightness of tension and string gauges have allowed me to play fast again... So I kinda found a way to still do what I enjoy on an instrument, but it's just on a guitar... I still gig with my bass about 3-4 times a week.. But I have lowered my strings a bit.. When Sunday's roll around I can feel it though..

I am gonna play as long as I can...good Lord willing.

Jon

[Valerus]

My wrists are letting me down...and I just turned NINETEEN!!

[sal4bass]

Originally Posted by Fine Cut

back when i was 15 playin in a punk cover band, i had over extension problems with my elbow from strumming too agressively with a pick...i quit for about 4 months, then started into funk, got away from the pick, and God's seen fit to allow me to keep playing. I'll be prayin for ya man. Who knows, maybe God'll use this to open another door that, dare i say it, will provide as much joy in ur life as playin ur bass does (if that's possible) ...hope all turns out well

I'm glad you found a way around the problem Fine Cut. And you are correct, it won't be the end of the world is I can't play anymore, but I am hoping to find a way to continue. I'll see what the Doc says next week and go from there. If my playing days are done, then I'll know the Lord has other plans for me at this time.

[sal4bass]

Originally Posted by jschwalls

man, I feel your agony... I had some problems years ago, and went to a doctor ASAP...My fingers were locking-up and my forearms would swell and have an incredible amount of pain. He helped me to fix what was developing... over the past few years I have noticed a BIG reduction in speed and agility on the bass... I have always played my basses with 45-105 strings and medium action.. I just hated the low action myself... Well, I have always enjoyed SPEED, playing fast and accurate was what I enjoyed the most... I guess with age everthing kinda slows down a bit.. or so I thought.. Last year I decided that I wanted to play guitar, for fun not on a gig... So I did... The extreme lightness of tension and string gauges have allowed me to play fast again... So I kinda found a way to still do what I enjoy on an instrument, but it's just on a guitar... I still gig with my bass about 3-4 times a week.. But I have lowered my strings a bit.. When Sunday's roll around I can feel it though..

I am gonna play as long as I can...good Lord willing.

Jon

Jon, Thanks for the kind words. It appears I am not alone with this issue. That is great that you have been able to transition over to guitar without discomfort - music is music! I have a Strat and play some guitar myself. I've found the lower string tension does definitely help, but bar chords still create pain.

It appears to me I have two issues. The swelling is caused by the tendonitis and the carpal tunnel issues show up when the swelling puts pressure on the median nerve, especially when I bend my wrist. Even though the doctor recommended not having the surgery when this first occurred years ago, perhaps the surgery will improve the condition now?

I dunno as I have read online that some people get almost complete relief from the surgery and others see only limited improvement. It appears to vary from person to person.

[sal4bass]

Originally Posted by Valerus

My wrists are letting me down...and I just turned NINETEEN!!

Will, go see a doctor!

You are probably still early in the process. Don't ignore it and allow scar tissue build up in your tendons or carpal tunnel develop. There are meds and therapy procedures to largely eliminate the problem IF it is caught early. With proper intervention you should be able to enjoy a full playing career.

Without addressing the issue, you may end up just like me or worse.

[PWRL]

I've been dealing with tendonitis for about a year or so. I usually take three Advil before I play, both rehearsal and shows.
I've read up quite a bit on it and it seems that anti-inflammatories like Advil, laying off when you don't have to play and doing the proper exercises seem to be about all one can do to prevent or stave off tendonitis, unless you're into the whole nutritional supplement thing, which can sometimes work and sometimes not.
I don't know. It sucks, pretty much.
One of the things I wound up doing to compensate was to buy a little Epiphone EB-0. I call it my "crutch bass".

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by sal4bass

Will, go see a doctor!

You are probably still early in the process. Don't ignore it and allow scar tissue build up in your tendons or carpal tunnel develop. There are meds and therapy procedures to largely eliminate the problem IF it is caught early. With proper intervention you should be able to enjoy a full playing career.

Without addressing the issue, you may end up just like me or worse.

In my left wrist, I have DeQuervain's Syndrome, which is caused from overuse. A tendon in my wrist inflammates and it hurts to use.
I have a treatment for it, so it's alright.

Then my right wrist started hurting.

So I've been laying off playing the bass for over like 30 minutes recently, to let them heal.

I even bought and ergonomic keyboard, as to relieve some pressure from typing.

Thanks for the concern man.

[nsmar4211]

I wear wrist bands even when not playing now, as soon as the slightest twinge comes up I slap em on. Always wear em while practicing/playing/typing on computer. I went to the local mall, into a Claire's (kinda a kid jewelry store), found tons of different ones for $5 each. Got about 8 of em all over the place for when it sneaks up on me. Used the actual ACE brand ones, but it was so bulky it put my hand at a bad angle when typing.

Tendonitis sucks.....carpal tunnel too. If you use a keyboard or mouse a lot, it'll trigger it too

Go advil! whooo!

[sal4bass]

Originally Posted by nsmar4211

I wear wrist bands even when not playing now, as soon as the slightest twinge comes up I slap em on. Always wear em while practicing/playing/typing on computer. I went to the local mall, into a Claire's (kinda a kid jewelry store), found tons of different ones for $5 each. Got about 8 of em all over the place for when it sneaks up on me. Used the actual ACE brand ones, but it was so bulky it put my hand at a bad angle when typing.

Tendonitis sucks.....carpal tunnel too. If you use a keyboard or mouse a lot, it'll trigger it too

Go advil! whooo!

Never tried a wrist band. I might need to check those out. Do you wear them on your forearm or wrist area?

[steve66]

Just a thought. How about those magnetic bracelets. My father in law swears by them.

[nsmar4211]

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...n/100_8687.jpg

You can see where/what I'm wearing in that pic ( don't ask about the face I'm making). Make sure it's tight enough to put a little bit of pressure on, the fabric type ones seem to work better than the terry cloth ones and aren't as hot. I had to get the ones from the tween section for a good fit- The one on my right wrist has happy bunny on it...... One day I'll remember to grab two of the same but oh well!

My bass teacher has one of those brace wrap things that he wears at times, looks just like a wrist band but neoprene, however he wears his almost up to his elbow on his forearm. Depends on which tendons are causing the issue perhaps? Or whether it's tendonitis or carpal tunnel?

So far, wearing the wrist things has prevented any major flareups (had a horrible bout with it when I first started playing, couldn't move my arm for 2 days... yeouch...). That and just laying off if I feel it flaring up and I can lay off for a day or two.


I dunno about the magnetic bracelets-gotta think having magnets near electronics isn't going to be good? Might also cause noise issues considering the magnets would be within inches of a pickup? Maybe for when you're not playing...

[Valerus]

Nice idea!