Tendinitis

[Basswench]

OK guys I'm having surgery for DeQuervain's tendinitis in two weeks. I can't play in the meantime due to pain, unfortunately. How long would you recommend post-surgery until I try to (besides doctor's recommendations, of course)? Obviously, I'm anxious to get back to it ASAP but not at the risk of reinjury or worse.

Thanks
Starbuck

 

[owensea777]

I'm no doc but I'm a nurse-in-training, so...follow doctor's orders and when you're allowed to play...take a painkiller so that you go reeeaaaal sloooww. No need to strain your poor tendons right out of surgery. Take it easy, that has to hurt, man.

Do you think the tendinitis was brought on primarily because of your bass playing? If so (well, obviously), you should start retraining your technique/muscle memory.

 

[Basswench]

Not *primarily*, but started by playing a 5-string Ric with too small a neck for an extended practice period (over an hour). Got one shot, which was fine for over a year, until it recurred when I was playing a Game Boy. The second and third shots didn't take. So, again, no - it's not entirely playing except for when it *first* started. At this point, anything involving thumb moving hurts like hell, like typing now.

Anyway, that's the story. Thanks for the input so far.

Starbuck