The Steel Guitar Forum

I have developed tendonitis in my right hand. There is swelling and some tenderness at the area where my arm joins my hand on the right side (outside). I'm wearing a wrist splint to immobolize the wrist that my doctor provided.

Has anyone else had this happen in the same area? I'm wondering if this came from playing lapsteel or something else is the cause.

Thanks

-Bill

I had the problem Bill. Mine occurred because of using a computer keyboard for years with using a keyboard pad. My wrists were contacting the edge of the desk, and putting pressure on the nerves at the underside of the wrists. I wore the immobilizing glove, several of them. The most effective covered about half of the forearm, and I slept in it for about six months. During the day I used a wrist guard, and a keyboard pad. I had problems with my picking hand (left in my case), and bar hand. The condition has improved, but I still have occasional soreness, and wear the glove at times. If untreated you can suffer severe nerve damage. Examine what you do with your wrist that could cause it and take steps to correct it, and were the glove at night (the large one). I guess playing steel or lap could attribute to the problem, if you are resting your wrists on the edge of the instrument. Good luck.
Lefty

Hey Bill if you are experiencing any discomfort or soreness while you were playing before this happened; you might check those things that were doing that.
Now Doctor Ricky says "Ice" that for 20 minutes 4 times a day for 4 days and you will see it will leave you pal.
Been there many many times. Remember I was a Gymnast before this crazy steel guitar stuff and have had Tenitis; Tendonitis; bersitis; carpel tunnel; and many sprains, brakes and what not and Ice is the miracle drug here.
Let me know how it goes.
Ricky

Ricky, how does ice work its magic?

Bill,
You're in the computer biz, right? Your right hand is probably your mouse hand. Check the angle of your wrist. Correct it if it is to severe.

Hey Earnest; most all injuries are do to a tweeking of tendons and or legiments, from overuse or wrong(un-familiar)positions or stretched beyond capacity. When they are injured that way; they become inflamed(swollen)as a body protectant and have become restrictive in their motion; which is the pain that we feel.
Ice reduces and or eliminates inflamation/swelling, and gives the tendons/legiments the oportunity to gain free motion(which is the relief we want) than the person has the oportunity to gain strength and flexibility back in the area; which cannot happen when inflamed;> than healing can occur.
But you knew that Doug.
Ricky

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm trying everything!

-Bill

I have just started playing my newly obtained Ultratone Gibson Lap steel. I find my neck aching after playing since my neck is bent down to the left looking at the fret board. Do others experience this ache on the neck?

-Surinder Singh

Surinder, I get the neck ache too. Sometimes pretty bad. It helps to elevate the guitar on a table or stand, and standing up helps. When I play with the guitar on my lap, I tend to schlump over (that's Yiddish for bending over instead of keeping your back straight) and look down the whole time.

It's a real problem for me, and something I have to be aware of when I play.