Rotator cuff issues/injuries

tptplayer · Veteran Member Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 292

Having been through a spinal fusion surgery as well as having rotator cuffs too badly damaged for surgery to be advisable (yes, too many second opinions concurred) I'm interested in finding out just how many of us have some rotator cuff or spinal problems that we suspect MIGHT be trumpet related. I have played for a living my entire life, playing trumpet sometimes 8 hours a day in studio sessions, many 3 hour rehearsals followed by concerts,etc. I have suspicions that there be correlations to holding the horn and injury, but no proof.
Any ideas/comments/thoughts?

Matthew Anklan · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 4:21 am Post subject:

I do... Left shoulder. I'm going to try massage therapy.
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c cup · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:48 am Post subject:

Good question. I have been playing for 40 years. Professionally for a lot of that time so lots of hours on the horn. I have had bad bone spurs in both shoulders and stage four arthritis in one. That started when I was 40. There is no explanation from the Docs as to why. I also play a lot of bass and used to play a lot of upright bass. The docs say they see a lot of this problem in swimmers and tennis players so I think people that put stress on their shoulders might be prone to this problem.

DB

oxleyk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 4180

When I play my trumpet during community band rehearsal I get an uncomfortable burning sensation around my left shoulder blade and upper back. It's probably a pinched nerve. When I play my cornet, no pain. Another reason cornets are better.

Kent

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

These injuries are common with professional musicians. String players get chronic tendonitis, Wind players get problems from holding the weight of their instruments in static positions. If you are young and haven't yet developed problems, you need to start a stretching regimen to forstall injuries.

There is a "beyond massage" therapy call Structural Energetic Therapy which addresses these kinds of problems. Good to try before painkillers and surgery. I recommend it.

trombahonker · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:08 am Post subject:

I have a bit of popping in my cuff that is definitely trumpet related - the times I've taken off from playing, it distinctly improves.

Take a look around at other trumpet players and notice how the poor form and posture many people have. Loads of tension, oddly placed hands/wrists, shoulders hunched forward, back bent. It's not a surprise many players have issues.

It's the same response for those who talk about how playing can damage your throat, or lips, or anything. Sure, it's a localized sport and demands great attention to one's body to avoid physical traumas.

~Aaron
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chuck in ny · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: injuries

d.kocurek · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject:

Six years back I experienced a pretty painful case of bursitis in my shoulder. I couldn't play for months. If you don't know about it, look it up...a lot of people mistake bursitis for a rotator cuff injury and in reality it can be more painful, but way less long term. Anyway, to the point...

Once I recovered from my bursitis (simply,rest) I found that the best way to keep my problems away is exercise. Swimming, lifting weights, anything to make sure that lifting the trumpet is not the only thing your shoulders do. Otherwise it's quite likely you'll get a repetitive stress injury. I know this seems silly and obvious, but regular, smart exercise will not only decrease your risk of this, but it will also help in many other ways: breath support, alignment, and most importantly (IMHO) body awareness. If you know what a healthy body is supposed to feel like, you're acutely aware of when it doesn't feel right. This could help nip any injury before it starts.

To the OP: my apologies to hear that you're having difficulties...I'm sending my best to you for the speediest recovery imaginable! I hope you're doing some good Range of Motion exercises and maybe some strengthening of your Anterior Deltoids. If I can help in any way let me know.

Cheers,

Dan

trumpetDS · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

I had a bad rotator cuff which I had surgery on which fixed it. Oddly enough, it did not bother me when playing trumpet. My good should did bother me while playing. While in therapy for my bad shoulder, I asked about my good one and was told I had bursus? not bursitis. Anyway, one thing that helped in my recovery was the Schulman System. I know they aren't made anymore, but I see them for sale used every once in a while.

razeontherock · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject:

Not sure if I still have a used Schulman system to sell or not, but I am sure about an exercise I've used to strengthen rotator cuffs past the point of possible injury. (Beginning with being injury prone)

It's an awkward motion, that never feels like it's working the needed area, but it works. Start out VERY light weights, like maybe a 1 lb soup can, and be sure of proper form. Right hand crossing the body so it rests a little below left hip, elbow stays pinned against the body, hand winds up at right shoulder. Range of motion has the hand stay as close to the body as possible.

Start slowly, but the idea is to do 20 reps as quickly as possible. Obviously, the speed part needs to be omitted by the OP for quite some time ...

The most weight I've ever done this with, is 5 lbs. Think of it more as a warm-up, than an actual work out ...

MacMichael · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 646

Those injuries especially of the left shoulder are mostly due to bad posture,
which is something I was not really able to get to terms with when I was a teenager. Hence my trombone playing has led to some serious shoulder issues, rotator cuff and also supraspinatus tendon issues. After more than 30 years, therapy is difficult. It is just like Kent said:

jhatpro · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:18 am Post subject:

A week ago I over-pounded a tennis overhead and am still hurting bad with what's been diagnosed as acute shoulder tendonitis.

Naproxen, heat patches, cold packs, hydro therapy, heating pads - the only thing that's reduced the pain is Salonpas analgesic patches - they're terrific!

Even so, I can hold my cornet in decent playing position for only a few minutes so my practice days consist of about dozen very short sessions.
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garrett901 · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 1:48 am Post subject:

Yep ! Lt Shoulder Rotator Cuff tear... P.T. --- Now downgraded to an "impingement" Fight with it all the time!

My biggest worry however is the Stenosis of my cervical spine between C-3 and C-4

!!!

That is a result of 20 years working "heavy" aircraft. Constant "looking up" is what the V.A. Doc tells me.
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Richard III · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:38 am Post subject:

pepperdean · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 5:49 am Post subject:

I, too, have had problems with the left shoulder for many years. It has been addressed with differing types of physical therapy with little or no improvement. There were times when i couldn't reach back and retrieve my wallet from my back pocket. I still cannot fully extend my arm above my head.

What worked to help me was the advice of a chiropractor who recommended some resistance exercises and stretching. For the stretching, I put a small pulley above a doorway. I sit in a chair with my back to the pulley and, alternately, pull down on each arm, stretching the other above my head. Progress is slow but steadily improving after years of struggle.

Alan

John Mohan · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:46 am Post subject:

I remember there being some sort of harness/support system for the trumpet - I think perhaps it was called the Schuman system? While I would not normally recommend such a thing, it might help in your case if it takes some of the work away from your arm.

Or, you could always use the "hang the trumpet from a string and use no pressure" approach...

I wish you well and hope for the best for you!

John

P.S. Ha! I found it:

http://www.chasesanborn.com/otherproducts/shulman/
[url]

http://www.trumpetmaster.com/vb/f214/shulman-system-trumpet-sale-65072.html[/url]

P.P.S. Oh crap. In googling to find info and availability for the Shulman thing, I was led to... this thread topic where it's already been mentioned. Oh well, maybe my trumpetmaster link will prove helpful.

jhatpro · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:48 am Post subject:

Here's some good advice:

http://www.activeptandsports.com/docs/rcI.pdf
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

chuck in ny · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 5:12 pm Post subject:

totally agree with chiropractor richard's advice. i have two hobbies involving static holding, rifle shooting and trumpet. same deal. the rifles can be heavy and the correct position is one way right to the nids.
if i didn't do arm exercises with a sweeping range of movement, my muscles would grow and kink in an odd way. it's frightening to even think about it.
to this purpose moderate weight dumbbells do just fine and i no longer belong to the gym which was mostly a financial issue.
the toll and price of not taking care of yourself far outweighs the small trouble of exercise, diet, sauna, massage, and so forth.
i feel for you guys who hurt. chuck

trumpetDS · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 7:40 am Post subject:

Several years ago, I had rotator cuff surgery for my right shoulder from a sports injury. While in PT, I asked the therapist about the pain in my left shoulder which I felt was trumpet related. He said that the static not movement of my left shoulder was probably causing slight bursitis. He recommended moving my shoulder slightly while playing, just every so often. I have to say it has helped quite a bit.

BTW- After my rotator cuff surgery, I had a gig a week later. I wasn't sure how I could make it through the gig. The Schulman system really helped me through my rehab.

RussellDDixon · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 8:05 am Post subject:

Ice for twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off along with Ibuprofen does wonders for the back and shoulders. As a competitive powerlifter of 35 years (and of course trumpet enthusiast) I have had shoulder and back issues.

Ultra-Sound and Massage Therapy are also wonderful treatments if the issue is more bothersome. Usually ice and rest has fixed most of my issues.
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