Double Bass Elbow Issues

[bassics1975]

It is true that as you age, you become more aware of creaking joints and other sounds that weren't there in your prime...I am no different.

I have been an orchestral player since my days in university and have applied a rather rigorous practice routine since. In recent weeks, I have noticed a crackling sensation (for lack of better words) in my left elbow when moving my arm up or down on the neck. It is most audible when the arm is flexed and the forarm is rotated back and forth. Once I have been playing for a good 15 minutes or so, it doesn't seem to be all that noticable. There is no joint pain (yet), just the annoying crackling. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this for themselves at any point and would be kind enough to share their experiences and strategies for dealing with this. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[theweed42]

It could be several things, and it's hard to say exactly what's going on without more information. I'll describe the two things that I think it might be.

If the joint makes a clicking sound when you rotate or extend your forearm, this is probably due to a tendon rubbing against the joint. This can happen if your muscles tighten, either due to age or lack of use. It goes away after you play for a bit because the muscle is warming up and loosening.

However, if the crackling sounds like Rice Krispies, then it probably means that the joint is changing. You might have some fluid or gas built up in there, or it might be the early stages of arthritis. Since there's no pain yet, you're in a good place. But consider this your "check engine" light. You should keep an eye on it. Go to the doctor if it progresses, especially if it becomes painful.

You may want to go see a doctor or a physical therapist anyway, for a specific diagnosis. They can give you nutritional, exercise and stretching recommendations that will really help. We often underestimate how much of a physical activity double bass is, and we don't really prepare for it as we should. The biggest thing in either case is to make sure you're stretching and warming up before you play. If you just dive into your hardest technical pieces, you're putting a ton of stress on your body. And as you age, you'll be less able to cope. Best to ease into it gradually, first by stretching, then playing some easy warmup exercises.

Hope this helps, and good luck. It's no fun to have a rebelling body.