Trumpet Elbow!
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I've been dealing with some tendonitis issues (with the inner side of my elbow) that gets aggravated when I play. I've been trying to support it by resting my elbow on the armrest of a chair (while playing) but it still gets fairly painful. The longer I play , the worse it gets.
Anybody here ever have to deal with that type of thing? Looking for some advice or techniques... maybe some sort of brace thing??
Playing one handed is cute for a few minutes but that gets old in a hurry!!
Thanks...MH
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While I haven’t had this myself, I have worked with people who did. It’s basically Tennis Elbow, and you should see your doctor and possibly physical therapist to take care of it. A lot of people get relief with ice and/or compression braces, so that could be part of the treatment.
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@mrhappy said in Trumpet Elbow!:
I've been trying to support it by resting my elbow on the armrest of a chair (while playing) but it still gets fairly painful. The longer I play , the worse it gets.
Don't rest your elbow on the armrest of the chair. When I was in graduate school I had a heck of a time with aching elbows. A physician said I had "Student's Elbow". It's known as Olecranon Bursitis and I ended up with it due to hours at the library and studying at my desk. I was told to use an anti inflammatory and avoid leaning on my elbows. With that said, avoid direct pressure on the effected area. I guess Mom was right when she would say "Sit up straight and don't slouch"
Here's the big take away- Use common sense. Don't depend on a blog or an internet site for a cure if your elbows are giving you fits. Go to a Doc-In-A-Box and have a physician look at it. -
@Dr-Mark said in Trumpet Elbow!:
Don't depend on a blog or an internet site for a cure if your elbows are giving you fits. Go to a Doc-In-A-Box and have a physician look at it.
Amen!
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No disagreement from me with the advice above concerning seeking qualified medical assistance. I would like to share the following, though. My right shoulder is messed up. From time to time I will do something to stir up my shoulder and/or arm. I find a little relief from trumpet playing discomfort during these times by simply switching to cornet for a while. The subtle differences in limb angles seem to make a difference. Of course, YMMV!
Jim
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My elbow sometimes hurts after playing for an extended period of time, but it always goes away by the next day or so.
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Thanks for the replies... Making a doc appt this week (for an unrelated prob) so I'll just pile this on!
I've had various tendonitis problems in the past and it will eventually go away, however I've had it last for a few years!
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@Comeback said in [Trumpet Elbow!] I find a little relief from trumpet playing discomfort during these times by simply switching to cornet
I've tried this but it makes it worse for me... Once I get close to a 90 degree elbow bend it aggravates it and due to the cornet being shorter, the elbow bend is a more severe angle.
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@mrhappy said in Trumpet Elbow!:
@Comeback said in [Trumpet Elbow!] I find a little relief from trumpet playing discomfort during these times by simply switching to cornet
I've tried this but it makes it worse for me... Once I get close to a 90 degree elbow bend it aggravates it and due to the cornet being shorter, the elbow bend is a more severe angle.
Mr.happy. A couple of questions.
- Is there swelling or warmth in the right elbow?
- Does any associated pain radiate (travel) down into the hand or wrist, OR alternatively, does pain radiate from the hand/wrist to the elbow?
An exam would be very helpful, but this is hard to do over the internet. This could be an Olecranon Bursitis or Tennis Elbow. I have also seen Carpel Tunnel syndrome "reverse" radiate up the arm into the elbow. Performing an exam and rotating the elbow joint or wrist by applying pressure points at various tendon insertions would be helpful. Also feeling the joint for swelling or warmth would more specifically focus an inflammatory condition such as Bursitis or Arthritis. Do make sure you address this with you physician and make sure they perform a good concentrated exam to the shoulder, elbow and wrist on the right extremity. Do let me know what they find. Thanks so much for bringing this excellent case to our attention.
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@mrhappy said in Trumpet Elbow!:
Making a doc appt this week (for an unrelated prob) so I'll just pile this on!
Now that's smart. two diagnoses for the price of one! I like the way you think.
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@Dr-Mark said in Trumpet Elbow!:
@mrhappy said in Trumpet Elbow!:
Making a doc appt this week (for an unrelated prob) so I'll just pile this on!
Now that's smart. two diagnoses for the price of one!
Not really. With the CPT coding system, the more we add on to the HPI billing component, the more we get reimbursed. An additional complaint can raise the reimbursement from a Level 3 to a Level 4... ChaChing! In the end the patient will get what they pay for.
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@Dr-GO said in [Trumpet Elbow!] An additional complaint can raise the reimbursement from a Level 3 to a Level 4
Holy cow!! If I raise ALL of my complaints the level would go to Defcon 5!!! Haha!
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@mrhappy said in Trumpet Elbow!:
Holy cow!! If I raise ALL of my complaints the level would go to Defcon 5!!! Haha!
You should talk. Ever see the Robin Williams' skit where he refers to Mr. Happy?
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@Dr-GO said in [Trumpet Elbow!]
1. Is there swelling or warmth in the right elbow?
Right elbow seems normal
2. Does any associated pain radiate (travel) down into the hand or wrist ?>
It does seem to radiate somewhat...down to 'inner forearm' and up toward bicep
Performing an exam and rotating the elbow joint would be helpful.
You hit THAT one on the head as that would cause an 'ouch'!
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@Kehaulani said in Trumpet Elbow!:
@mrhappy said in Trumpet Elbow!:
Holy cow!! If I raise ALL of my complaints the level would go to Defcon 5!!! Haha!
You should talk. Ever see the Robin Williams' skit where he refers to Mr. Happy?
MY 'Mr. Happy' is a 'Super Hero' character that I invented when I worked a retail job. Just when I got to the point where I was about to reach over the counter and grab someone by the throat, I would summon 'Mr. Happy'... He would swoop in with his Super Hero cape (adorned with a large "H" of coarse!), quell my violent thoughts and kill them with kindness!!! He has saved me from being incarcerated many times over!!! Haha!
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@Dr-GO said in Trumpet Elbow!:
Not really. With the CPT coding system, the more we add on to the HPI billing component, the more we get reimbursed. An additional complaint can raise the reimbursement from a Level 3 to a Level 4... ChaChing! In the end the patient will get what they pay for.
The more you know
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There is a similar question on TH right now. You might want to read that one for a different take on the subject.
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@mrhappy said in Trumpet Elbow!:
Anybody here ever have to deal with that type of thing? Looking for some advice or techniques... maybe some sort of brace thing??
Thanks...MHFor all brass players, the prevalence rate of Trumpet Elbow is around 5%. Here is a table from the medical literature the puts this in perspective of other muscle injuries:
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Here is a link to exercises to rehab nerve injuries involving the arm:
http://www.askdoctorjo.com/content/neural-glides-ulnar-median-radial-nerves -
Treatment Option Comparisons for Trumpet Elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
