Carpal tunnel strikes

[BrassSection]

Week ago Sunday used trumpet for 1 song, trombone for 2, and last song started on euph and used trumpet for big ending. About an hour later my right hand felt like it went between 2 gears and my fingers looked like sausages. Come on, I wasn’t playing that hard! Playing things over in my mind what happened. Hmmm, Sat I was using string trimmer about 3 hours, after last refueling forgot my anti vibration gloves. Nah, symptoms too long after that. Took it easy for the week, grandson stepped up for me. Friday came and I realized no way I could play trumpet or euph Sunday. Hand feeling little better by Sat, figured I could play trombone and French horn. Worked fine, grandson covered trumpet, and I could run the slide like normal, and left hand valves were handy.

Diagnosis came, I had gotten my carpal tunnel all riled up weed eating. Hand about 85% better now, thinking by next Sunday all horns will be an option again. Multiple horns do come in handy!

Bottom line, be careful with my body!

[Kbiggs]

Rest, gentle stretching, ice, NSAIDS can all help. You might also consider playing trumpet and trombone left-handed—it would almost impossible to play horn or euphonium left-handed!—but that could give your right wrist a rest.

[Doug Elliott]

Any prolonged vibration can do that to your hand. Mine came from building my house, using a framing nailer and screw gun. 15 years later I still feel it - or rather lost some feeling in my right hand.

[BrassSection]

Any prolonged vibration can do that to your hand. Mine came from building my house, using a framing nailer and screw gun. 15 years later I still feel it - or rather lost some feeling in my right hand.

Don’t remember building our place, it’s from the 1830s. But since we bought it in the 90s I’ve done a LOT of work in it! Plus with farming it and keeping the outside nice I burn lots of fuel mowing and trimming. Go thru about 15 gallons a summer just for the trimmer.

Have wrist brace now, feeling much better, all horns an option now. Actually had a left hand trumpet, pinky hook was on bell side. Made it a bit of a stretch for grandson and others to play, had hook moved to right side. French horn valves are left handed, horn was easy to play.