I have a question for all the hand therapists out there. My 12 year old daughter has been playing the clarinet for 1 year and has now switched to an alto clarinet (essentially the same hand holds). In the last year she had developed bilateral DeQuervain's twice.
To give you a little history, I had bilateral DeQuervain's release shortly after she was born 12 years ago. Since I had been pregnant, there was essentially no treatment for it and the case was so severe, my thumbs were non-functional. Surgery was the only option. After the surgery, the surgeon said that I had an anatomical abnormality--2 sheaths instead of one. My sister and aunt both have severe DeQuervain's but won't get it fixed. This is clearly a family trait. When she flares up, I splint her with a thumb spica, start anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) and she reduces (or stops) playing if possible. This seems to relieve the pain. I have already tried to change the way she holds the instrument, but in my limited knowledge of an alto clarinet, I can't see any way to accomplish this. The school year is only 3 weeks old and she's already had to start wearing the splint 3 or 4 times per week. She independently puts it on at night because it makes her thumbs feel better. She's just in 7th grade and we have years to go in band. What I'm wondering is if there is anything else I can do? Are there stretches or an exercise program that I can start her on. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Hands are just out of my realm of knowledge. Judy Hamby, MHS, OTR/L, BCPR . -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
