HELP constant wrist pain doctors cant figure it out

[Immigrant]

Originally Posted by Internet Police

I was wondering when that would come...

OP should stop jerking it so often. Problem solved.

I was referring to too much time with the X-Box!

[Pilgrim]

The answer is simple, but extremely inconvenient: stop doing whatever you're doing that creates or exacerbates the problem.

Tendon problems can easily become chronic and last for years! You don't want that. I had an Achilles tendon problem that lasted 10 years and took almost 2 years to get rid of after I started treating it properly. NOT fun.

If it's bass playing, take a break. maybe for 2+ months. If it's computer work, move the mouse to the left side and learn to use it there - or get a Kensington trackball that can work on either side of the keyboard: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...G&Q=&A=details

See an ergonomic specialist or physical therapist, or both - they need to assess the activities you do and what's causing the problem.

Believe me, it IS worth stopping what you're doing that causes this.

[zhollywood]

Make sure to warm up as well. Don't go nuts as soon as you pick up a bass.
Ever since I was a teen, if I started without properly warming up, my right hand would lock up and my tendons would tighten. This would cause my fingers to bend completely down and lock up with increasing pressure. I would literally have to pry my fingers upwards. It was scary. Turns out all I needed to do was warm up more.
It could've easily turned into a severe tendon issue though.

[TIMDETROIT]

As a 61yo player, may I offer my 2 cents...try Ibuprofen/Motrin 800 prescription-strength an hour before you play. It works for my elbow. Good luck.

[Dean N]

NSAIDs before playing? Totally disagree. Bad idea. Pain is there for a reason. Masking the pain so you can continue to do the activity that's likely causing the problem is pretty foolish. Do you put a piece of masking tape over the "check oil" light when it shows up on your dashboard and keep on driving like nothing's happened?

Pilgrim's advice in #24 is spot on. Unfortunately. Also, ice the area (not gelpacks, icepacks, bags of peas, etc... ice cubes) for 20-30 minutes, multiple times daily, regardless of whether or not it's hurting at the time, for at least 2 weeks. This is the second most important thing you can do for yourself.

And get yourself a "cock-up" brace, and use esp. when sleeping if you suspect you put your wrist in any weird position during sleep. These are mainly for CTS, and although you may not have CTS, it'll put your wrist in a safe, neutral position.

And if I had an MD asking for a video to help out, I'd be all over it. Sratas, you should be commended for being so willing to help out like this.

[Alex1984]

Originally Posted by zhollywood

Make sure to warm up as well. Don't go nuts as soon as you pick up a bass.
Ever since I was a teen, if I started without properly warming up, my right hand would lock up and my tendons would tighten. This would cause my fingers to bend completely down and lock up with increasing pressure. I would literally have to pry my fingers upwards. It was scary. Turns out all I needed to do was warm up more.
It could've easily turned into a severe tendon issue though.

I've had this happen to me occasionally.

[Presto2112]

It didn't go away today, so it's not just after I play or use the computer, I'm going to see if they can do some kind of scan while moving my wrist to see if doctors can see anything hitting (like bones on other bones or tendons and stuff like that) and see if there is any interference anywhere.

[Presto2112]

my old bass teacher jake kot of kot basses co. told me about this bass player doctor in Los Angeles that tried to help him with his finger problems but was unsuccessful but said he is really good, does anyone know his name?

[Tunaman]

As a physical therapist, I'm going with the guys who told you about your elbow sleeping.

That would cause cubital tunnel syndrome under your elbow. I used to sleep like that but also study with my elbow bent while leaning on it. Once I got rid of those 2 things it was golden.

The trick while sleeping is to put an elbow pad like for skateboarding on backwards which prevents you from bending at night. It will take a few days \ weeks for it to calm down. It wouldn't hurt to sleep with a wrist brace on as well, not super tight though

[Presto2112]

got a keyboard with a track ball, played closer to the heart instead of la villa strangiato haha, i cut my ring finger on the strings so thats going to prevent playing. im in the school band and i was excused for playing basically all year because of the same problem. I dont want to do that again because it affects my grade, could it be my rickenbacker the way my arm is rest on it? Thoughts?

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by Presto2112

got a keyboard with a track ball, played closer to the heart instead of la villa strangiato haha, i cut my ring finger on the strings so thats going to prevent playing. im in the school band and i was excused for playing basically all year because of the same problem. I dont want to do that again because it affects my grade, could it be my rickenbacker the way my arm is rest on it? Thoughts?

that sharp edge of the rick can definitely not be helping...

Float your arm over the edge, you shouldn't be putting any pressure there...

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Dean N

NSAIDs before playing? Totally disagree. Bad idea. Pain is there for a reason. Masking the pain so you can continue to do the activity that's likely causing the problem is pretty foolish. Do you put a piece of masking tape over the "check oil" light when it shows up on your dashboard and keep on driving like nothing's happened?

Since I'm age 62, I thought I'd follow up on this. For a young player, Dean's advice may be good. For those of us with a lot of miles, there are any number of activities which I take NSAIDs before pursuing...because there will be a price to pay afterwards. I've learned when my body is going to complain about what I've done - so I get out in front of the problem.

[Knavery]

As mentioned by others, this could be related to other things like bad posture when sleeping or even working.

I had a similar situation where I seemed to get what is referred to as mouse elbow. It's similar to tennis elbow, but is caused from using a computer all day with bad posture. I thought it was due to playing bass wrong and playing too many video games.

What I found out was that I had my mouse pad too close to the edge of the desk so my wrist was lying right on the edge with my arm just dangling off. So, I got a bigger desk and moved my mouse pad way back so that my arm lies comfortably on the desk while I work. The pain in my elbow and wrist went away after just a month or so. This was after I'd done some research of course. Sometimes you may not even be aware of what you're doing into you really look. And it creeps up on you as you get older.

Hopefully you have something similar that can be fixed by a behavioral correction. But reach out to the doc in Italy that offered his help. That's a great place to start.

[Steveaux]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

TalkBass is the best place to turn when the doctors are stumped.

That's exactly what I was thinkin'.

[Tupac]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

You hold your bass too high and your wrist is at an angle when you are playing most likely... When your wrist is angled over like that your tendons rub against the inside and cause pain. I figured this out when I was very young (13/14) because I developed a ganglion cyst from it. They wanted to do surgery I said no way... Went to a DR that specialized in musicians and athletes... He watched me play my bass and immediately knew what the problem was...

After adjusting my playing habits the problem went away on its own...

You want your right wrist to be like this:

Don't forgot to raise your forearm off the bass to keep it straight. Too often I see people trying to copy the jazz cats with their wrists hanging off the top of the bass at a 90 degree angle.

Originally Posted by Immigrant

You're a teenager, presumably right handed, and your right wrist hurts. That's totally normal.

Are you sure there isn't any activities you may be participating in that you wouldn't be comfortable telling your doctor (or THIS online forum) about?

Huh, it appears that OP played Shake Hands With Beef a little too many times...

[darkstorm]

Are you by chance having fingers open rather then curled in when sleeping? That could be it if so. No reason hands under pillow should cause problem. I do that all the time. I agree with others see another doctor, maybe hand specialist. Hope you get it figured out and fixed.

[thunderbird66]

Raise or lower your strap. When i first switched over to tbirds i had alot of pain in my elbow to my wrist. Adjusting your strap/bass height can be a huge deal to your playing

[Ric5]

I have a similar problem on my left hand. For me it is tendonitis.

Get some Arnica gel and rub it on your arm between the wrist and elbow. It will reduce inflamation of the tendons.

Also try skullcap. It is a natural anti-infalmmitory. You can get it at any health food store. Take a few every day to relieve inflamation.

[Strat-Mangler]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

TalkBass is the best place to turn when the doctors are stumped.

Plenty of doctors won't take the time to figure root causes out. It can't hurt to get ideas such as how the OP is sleeping, playing bass, etc. All things the doctor might not have thought of.

Comments like yours are entirely unhelpful. You might as well not post at all.

[machine gewehr]

When I was a teenager my right leg used to hurt and it would go completely numb from time to time. Sometimes, suddenly, I would kiss the floor while walking for no reason at all.

I've seen many doctors, x-rays, MRIs etc. etc. and it was concluded that, during puberty-teenhood some people would have pains like this. There was no explanation, no treatment.

It stopped when I left teenhood just like the doctor said it would.

Your body is growing, it is a very abnormal time for your body. Even if you don't notice, some part of your wrist may be growing faster than it should.

Just saying, it could be nothing at all or it could be something more serious. Best of luck to you.