Tendonitis

[Blue]

I'm really getting depressed about this, seriously. All of a sudden, when I pick up the stick, I'll play for 5 minutes, and then bam... I can start to FEEL my tendons in my left wrist rubbing against the sheath or whatever, and then it starts to hurt acutely, this sharp, uncomfortable pain, so I have to stop. This JUST started last night. All it took was 10 minutes on the pad. This happened last fall. I had MRI's, and they said Tendonitis, or tendonisis, or something. Then it went away until now. What the Heck?!!!!!!!!! Is my technique bad? Obviously, you can't answer that... just a thought. I'm constantly trying to maintain a comfortable technique. How is it that these guys play for 60 years and don't develop problems. I've been practicing for under a year and already... I'm livid right now. I can't even work. I feel like breaking something.
And only my left wrist... and they look exactly the same when I play... my right and left. could it be that I drank a lot this weekend, and I'm malnourished. Should i eat better, take glucosamine, Vitamin B6, something...? Sleep more? More calcium? Any suggestions on how to help this and to deal with it? I'm very serious about drumming and this is very upsetting to me.
Thanks for any advice you can give me, I really appreciate it!
Curtis

[GRUNTERSDAD]

ARE YOU USING TRADITIONAL OR MATCHED, ARE YOU PLAYING TOO HARD, DOES YOUR WORK CAUSE SOME STRAIN THAT ONLY SEEMS TO BOTHER YOU WHEN YOU DRUM. TRY TO ISOLATE, WHEN ITS SEEMS TO OCCUR. ALSO TENDONITIS CAN COME AND GO DEPENDING ON YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE.

[Blue]

I play matched, yes I do play too hard. don't have a stressful job, although I'm do experience a lot of general anxiety. I do not exercise. Ironically, I played soccer yesterday, which was the first exercise I've gotten in weeks, which, during the game, was the first time I noticed my wrist aching, then when I got home on the pad is when it happened.
My friend said glucosamine was good, but I"ve heard bad things about it. Also, i'm taking a break for a day or two, see if it gets better.
Thanks for the reply

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I basically meant your exercise routine as far as how you use your hands at work, etc.
How old are you and could it now be arthritis?? When you had your MRI what treatment did the Doc recommend. Maybe go back to that treatment, maybe try warming up your hands in hot water before you play. After thirty years of not playing I have bruised my thumb on the left hand when I used the traditional grip, at both places where the stick lies in the crotch of my left hand, so I went to matched til it heals...Could be many things. Good luck

[pingride]

I get tendonitis in my right wrist after I broke a bone in my hand which rubs a tendon or something. I was told to wear a support but that seems to make it worse.
One thing I find makes it better is after I play I put ice on it for ten minutes, then off ten minutes and on again for 10 minutes. that seems to help a bit, and also stretching my wrist well before I play. you could try deep freeze gel too. hope it helps.

[jpekarek]

Same problem here. What I do is stretch my arms for a minute before I play. I stretch my arms straight back behind me with my fingers pointed up, like a police hold or something. That stretches the muscle across the top of my lower arm. I then hold my arm out in front and pull back on the finger tips with the other hand. That stretches the muscle on the bottom.

For me, stretching like that really helps.

[pingride]

I just found the tablets I got prescribed for it, they are Voltarol (brand name) diclofenac sodium. They were quite good so you could try them. tendonitis is on the list of conditions they are used for.

[Chip]

I've been playing for three, I've never had wrist pains, although the muscle between the thumb and first finger has gotten awfully sore from overly tight grip.
How much do you play from your wrists? Do you choke the rebound of the stick?

I can tell how much you would get depressed about it man. I missed a few days practice due to noise, and general business (not work business, just busy doing other things) and I can't play as I normally can, it's shitting me badly, and I keep playing the same stupid patterns. I can only but imagine your situation.

The only thing I can suggest is to try and use your fingers more instead of wrists if you play with your wrists. Don't play if it hurts though.

[cheen]

I had the same problem about a month after I started drumming, 8 months ago, then it went away after I took some lessons and improved my technique, but it came back a few weeks ago even though my technique is much better now. I went to my doc and he told me basically what has already been said here, imobilize the area with a wrist splint when you're not playing(especially when sleeping cause you can stress the area without noticing in your sleep) and ice it. Also, I was told to use anti-inflammatory medicine, such as Advil, so now I keep some Advils in my stick bag so if I feel the tendonitis coming on during a band practice I can pop one and reduce the pain/swelling and then just ice it when I get home. Hope this helps man, I know exactly how you feel.

[Beat Spector]

i'm afraid this may very well be your technique.
Altough no, we can't see it from up here.
In fact, it can be a million reasons I guess...go see a professional maybe? (drummer i mean) If it's not your technique then...well i donno.

[morristyson]

I also have tendonitis in my left wrist. It starts hurting 5-10 minutes into playing and doesn't go away. I've always just suffered through it and treated it with Motrin. But recently, I adjusted the angle of my snare. I used to have my snare angled towards me, and now I've flattened it out. It helped by lessening the shock I absorbed. Then, I switched sticks. I switched from the Zildjian Dip (cheap wood) to the VF Zoro Signature which is longer and better quality wood. Since I've made those two changes, I've had minimal pain in my wrist.
mo

[Cabazon]

It's possible that lots of time using a keyboard and mouse can contribute as well.

[Blue]

Hey, thanks everyone. I appreciate your help. I realized what it is, and its a technique problem, and I knew that, I just didn't want to address it. With my left hand, I don't allow rebound for some reason. Basically, I don't know how to play loud correctly, and I bear too much of hte concussion on my joints. I don't raise my stick higher to play loud, instead I was hitting harder from a lower height, and not allowing it to raise back up... VERY hard on the wrists. I know that's what it is. I tried to bring the stick up higher for louder strokes, and it works, and it feels fine. I HOPE its that simply, maybe not. I have to practice my basic strokes again. Thanks again. Does anyone have any practice tips for correct technique?

[groovemaster_flex]

have u checked out Derrick Pope's moeller video? he shows u how to do a free stroke, lots of rebound, lots of sound =). im sure there are a lot of posts about this, just try searching "Free Stroke". Check out www.vicfirth.com as well.

[balboa]

technique is the key to longevity. when u play as fast as u can, your grip should be loose enough so that someone could pull the sticks from your hands. concentration on proper technique is a must. a loose and relaxed face, body and most importantly hands and wrists are vital to pain free and exceptional drumming. remember to remain fluid and relaxed and dont do anything that hurts u

[King Of Drums]

I can almost guarantee your problem is based on technique/how you play. I've had similar problems in the past but none have happened recently. I would recommend warming up before you play. Stretch for about 15 mins. I stretch all major muscles used in drumming including leg muscles before i play just to guarantee I won't injure myself. I'm positive this has helped me play with absolutely no pain. You should probably practice playing a bit lighter too. If you continue playing really hard do it with proper technique or you will injure yourself.

[dairyairman]

lately i've had some problems with tendonitis in the rotator cuff of my right shoulder caused by drumming. for a while there it was looking like i'd need to stop playing altogether, but i've managed to reduce the pain by concentrating on relaxing at all times, not swinging wildly, moving my ride cymbal lower and closer, and not playing so much. but of all those i think relaxing has helped me the most.

[nebula821]

My biggest fear is having some sort of issue that prevents me from playing drums, that would SUCK!

[WarrenM]

Yes, I have a mild case of RSI from years of computer work and I can say that the primary thing that has helped me is relaxation. Tension is the enemy of RSI related problems. A relaxed posture will allow you to work/play for hours rather than minutes.

[Zumba_Zumba]

It would be the biggest fear for any of us. Unfortunately these things happen. Almost all of these threads about tendonitis or tenodesis in the hands scream too tight of a grip. Seriously, try larger sticks. Yes they are heavier, but the larger diameter will allow your grip to relax naturally. This can help for any problems in the elbow too. The most important thing: rest and ice often. Warm up and do NOT overstretch (just until you feel a very gentle pull) otherwise the tendonitis will get worse.

[voldak]

I have an issue similar to this. It happens in my lower arm though (between wrist and elbow). When I play death metal music (lots of quick blast beats, that I play with french grip, finger control) I notice that the day after i have quite a bit of pain my right arm. It is about half way up, almost exactly between wrist and elbow. When this pain happens I always try to take it easy for the rest of the day. It always goes away and never comes back until i overpush myself. I've been trying to get into the Moeller method for my blasts, but I don't like the uneven sound of the accents/unaccented notes...sorry for the rant.

[bojangleman]

yep...i got the same thing in my elbow...it sucks...ive had it for a year...just lots of ice on it and lay the sticks down for a week or so....its hard but it will help..


Alex

[old rocker]

Hi People

I just read all of this thread. I was told by my doctor I have a De Quervains sprain in my right hand. (Tendons rub against sheath causing pain and swelling). It took six weeks to heal. Threee weeks with a 24 hour thumb splint, then using the splint when sleeping for three weeks. Also he gave me a shot of cortizone. Anyways I am healed now but I am sure it will come back as soon as I resume all my drumming and weight lifting activities. There is an operation where they cut a slit in the sheath to relieve the rubbing. Has anyone done this and does it fix the problem completely. I am thinking about doing it.

Old Rocker

[WarrenM]

Has anyone done this and does it fix the problem completely. I am thinking about doing it.
Everything I've read about RSI related injuries is that surgery is a temporary fix. You'll feel great for awhile and then the pain will return. Look into stretching, relaxation and massage to release tension - yoga is a great help with RSI because of the unnatural positions you put your body into. It loosens everything up.

Surgery should be your absolute last option.

[gmrakich]

Based on what I have read and what I know from my own experience, I would say technique is more than likely at the root of your problem. There are warm up and stretching that you can do along with technique adjustment that I'm sure would help you out. PM if you want to know them...it will take a long time to write them out and don't want to take up space if you have alreay taken steps.

[enforcerdrummer]

About 2 weeks ago I have been feeling pain in my right hand. My drum teacher told me to buy arnica cream, and after a few days of using it, I realized the cream wasn't helping. So last week I made an appointment with my doctor. I have Tendonitis. My drum playing really isn't affected. Typing on the other hand is another story. It's hard to type this. Instead of using all my fingers, I've been using my right index finger mostly.

So here is what I did. I went out to CVS and bought a futuro support glove. http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=83099&catid=10279&brand=7758&trx=BS-7758&trxp1=HPFP&trxp2=0&trxp3=83099&btrx=BS-7758 Futuro makes several different models and there are others like this that can help. I'm going to buy another one cause I'm not happy with this one. If you get it wear it all day. Except of course when you shower or have to wash your hands.
He also gave me a prescription of NAPROXEN 500mg. Take 1 tablet twice a day. So if I type or play piano. Pain in the right hand. So I'm limiting the typing (except for this post).
Good luck!

[WarrenM]

Look into other opinions. Seriously. My doctor gave me a 2 minute exam and declared I had carpal tunnel syndrome. She told me I'd have to wear a brace on my arm 24/7 and take pills for the rest of my life to reduce the swelling.

I did some research on my own and it became clear that what I actually have is a case of RSI, which can be managed with frequent breaks at work and stretching exercises. Oh, and no arm brace or pills are necessary.

Doctors are very quick to jump to conclusions as soon as they hear you use a computer regularly. Do some research from some other sources before accepting the brace. Just a heads up.

[Zumba_Zumba]

[QUOTE=WarrenM;350590]

I did some research on my own and it became clear that what I actually have is a case of RSI, which can be managed with frequent breaks at work and stretching exercises. Oh, and no arm brace or pills are necessary.
QUOTE]


WarrenM is correct in urging a more conservative approach before surgery. To clear up a few things:
Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) is a general term that includes such disorders as carpal and de quervain's. Any of these can be treated with breaks and GENTLE stretching (too much = more damage). The pills were most likely to decrease pain and swelling. Naproxen (Aleve) is similar to ibuprofen. Decreasing swelling can help relieve symptoms and possibly (although not always) increase the rate of recovery. There is research out there that suggests cortisone injections are detrimental to the joints.

It sucks, but rest, rest, rest....