Shoulder issues

[Elizabeth]

Hi,
Does anyone continue to play acoustic who has compromised /injured/ unhealed rotater cuff on the left? Or who plays with a reverse shoulder replacement on the left side?
Thank you!

 

[Dingo40]

Hi Elizabeth.
I sympathise.
I have rheumatoid arthritis in my left shoulder (and various other joints) which flares up from time to time.
I can usually continue to play by minimising strain on the joint through playing seated and resting the instrument across my left thigh (keyboard right hand lower corner against the inside of the right hand thigh).
I open and shut the bellows in a V.
I don't suspend the bellows with my left arm, just allow them to dangle naturally ( very little strain/movement in
the left arm and shoulder).
I keep my left elbow tucked close into my side (as is comfortable).
This way I can play comfortably, literally for hours if needed, but usually for an hour or so .
Even if there should be some discomfort, I generally don't take/need painkillers.

 

[debra]

Dingo gave excellent advice on the right way to handle the accordion to minimize strain on the left shoulder. I can only add two things: avoid playing for a long time on a very heavy accordion like a Hohner Morino VI N (PA) or Artiste X (CBA), or even better, avoid playing a very heavy accordion, and secondly: do not overdo playing in one go, even with a not so heavy accordion. Our body is not made for a lot of repetitive identical motion, because that leads to RSI (repetitive strain injury). So play for up to one hour, then take a coffee or lunch break, then practice some more... and also don't go from nothing (ever played the accordion) to frantic practicing (eight hours a day)... Training muscles and joints should be built up slowly. I understand that especially new players are so enthusiastic they start practicing a lot, and then injure themselves.

 

[Elizabeth]

Hi Elizabeth.
I sympathise.
I have rheumatoid arthritis in my left shoulder (and various other joints) which flares up from time to time.
I can usually continue to play by minimising strain on the joint through playing seated and resting the instrument across my left thigh (keyboard right hand lower corner against the inside of the right hand thigh).
I open and shut the bellows in a V.
I don't suspend the bellows with my left arm, just allow them to dangle naturally ( very little strain/movement in
the left arm and shoulder).
I keep my left elbow tucked close into my side (as is comfortable).
This way I can play comfortably, literally for hours if needed, but usually for an hour or so .
Even if there should be some discomfort, I generally don't take/need painkillers.

Thank you so much Dingo! Its so nice and comforting too..to get an empathetic response and knowledgeable as well. I had a left shoulder replacement one year ago. At the one year check up on Monday, The doctor said the weak rotator cuff muscle does not seem like it had healed. He Recommended an ultrasound, and then we will proceed from there with options, two options of which are further surgeries. I have been playing on the shoulder for the past six months , but obviously not at the capacity of a healthy-shouldered person. He did not say to stop playing, of course I did ask. I will tend to your suggestions, and to Paul’s as well. Thanks so much.

 

[Elizabeth]

Dingo gave excellent advice on the right way to handle the accordion to minimize strain on the left shoulder. I can only add two things: avoid playing for a long time on a very heavy accordion like a Hohner Morino VI N (PA) or Artiste X (CBA), or even better, avoid playing a very heavy accordion, and secondly: do not overdo playing in one go, even with a not so heavy accordion. Our body is not made for a lot of repetitive identical motion, because that leads to RSI (repetitive strain injury). So play for up to one hour, then take a coffee or lunch break, then practice some more... and also don't go from nothing (ever played the accordion) to frantic practicing (eight hours a day)... Training muscles and joints should be built up slowly. I understand that especially new players are so enthusiastic they start practicing a lot, and then injure themselves.

Thank you Paul, for your excellent advice.
I have been playing on this painful shoulder for a long time, at least the last six months, the doctor told me on Monday, that the rotator cuff did not heal from the surgery that I had one year ago. he suggested an ultrasound, and then we will go from there to decide upon available options. One option is doing another replacement called a reverse. Where the ball and socket are reversed, which is why I originally asked if there were any players out there who have had a reverse. Meanwhile, he said I did not have to stop playing. And your advice and dingo’s advice are both so spot on and excellent. thanks so much.

 

[debra]

Thank you Paul, for your excellent advice.
I have been playing on this painful shoulder for a long time, at least the last six months, the doctor told me on Monday, that the rotator cuff did not heal from the surgery that I had one year ago. he suggested an ultrasound, and then we will go from there to decide upon available options. One option is doing another replacement called a reverse. Where the ball and socket are reversed, which is why I originally asked if there were any players out there who have had a reverse. Meanwhile, he said I did not have to stop playing. And your advice and dingo’s advice are both so spot on and excellent. thanks so much.

I do not have any friends who had a reverse. But one friend had a reduction of the collar bone done and that had remarkably good results. She can now play bellows shake like never before!