I am an oboist and I am having an issue with my wrist.?

Question

My right hand gets sore, but my wrist just plain hurts. It stays sore for a while. I have gotten thumb crutches and thumb rest extenders, changed the way I play and for how long. I split up my practice times so I'm not playing all at once but I still have to play a lot in my day. I'm thinking of trying a wrist brace next because I'm developing some tendonitis. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

~Zoe

Answer 1

i play clarinet, and i have noticed that my left wrist starts to hurt really bad. sometimes it is persistent, and then just stops hurting.

i went to my doctor about this, and he told me i have a ganglyon cyst and these can be removed from draining or minor surgery. but also, these cysts go away by themselves, but may take a while. these are NOT dangerous or cancerous, they are minor problems, just a bit painful.

it has been proven that MOST ganglyon cysts occur in MUSICIANS! (mainy guitarists, clarinetists, oboists, and pianist) if you notice a bumb on your wrist, this could be a sign of a cyst. mine STILL hasn't gone away......but i'm afraid of surgery. lol.

i'm not saying this is what's wrong with you, but i'm saying this is a possibility.

so try to go see your dr. and maybe he'll tell you what i told you!

happy playing!

:)

Answer 2

Get it sorted now before it gets any worse - if you're developing tendonitis then something is obviously not right.  I'd go see your doctor - and take your oboe with you so that he/she can see the wrist position.  I wouldn't be trying wrist braces without specialist advice, either - they can make things worse as well as making them better; I know way too many musicians whose careers have been severely hindered through RSI and tendonitis.  An oboe player I knew was having shocking RSI problems, and it turned out to be because she had uneven hips - she was holding her shoulders oddly to compensate, and it was throwing her entire body out of whack.  She had special shoes made to even her hips up, and bam, all the problems went away.  Get some professional advice - maybe a physio would have some ideas as to why it's happening.

Answer 3

i've been playing piano for seven years, and clarinet just as long. and i developed carpal tunnel because my piano teacher never taught me the correct technique. i'm sure you're not using bad technique, but i would check with a doc and he may prescribe you with physical therapy. thats what i'm taking. it may not solve your problem but it will sure relieve the pain for a while. good luck!