Rotator Cuff

My left shoulder has been diagnosed with some tissue tearing in the rotator cuff. I play my horn, Farkas H281, each day for about one hour. I'm 61 years old. I played in middle school and decided to get back into playing about 4 years ago. Could my horn playing have caused this problem? Is there any advise from those of you who have experience something similar? I get so much pleasure from playing my horn that I cannot imagine giving it up!!

Thank you for any comments you may have.

Ruth

Sorry to hear of your discomfort. I'm not a qualified physician, so cannot answer your query directly. However, it occurs to me that you could try taking the weight of the horn off your shoulder, at least partially.

If you're sitting to play you can rest the bell on your right thigh. I don't actually recommend this from the point of view of sound projection, and it will still leave your left shoulder to support a good deal of the horn's weight.

A better solution is the horn support stick, which is available in a variety of designs, the Hornstick, the PipStick and the Ergobrass being three. At least two of them can be used while standing to play. Google them to find out more. Using something like this would at least give your shoulder a chance to recover.

Your reply is a significant help to me, Chris. I will be ordering a hornstick and expect it to greatly relieve my shoulder. I can't thank you enough. Quality of life!!!!

I had rotator cuff problems in the 90s from doing too much computer work. It got to the point I couldn't shift my car or raise my arm. I saw a personal trainer who gave me exercises that strengthened the muscles and everything was fine for 20 years... until I fell and dislocated my right shoulder and cracked the head of the humerus this summer. My shoulder has come back more quickly than the therapist expected. I attribute that to having done exercises for the shoulder for 20 years. I am not 100% yet, and the shoulder bothers me if I play a couple of hours, but in October it bothered if I played 10 minutes.

The exercises involve stretching the muscles of the rotator cuff, followed by lifting some light weights -3,5,8 and sometimes 10 lb dumbbells. The exercises take about half an hour. I started every day for the first year, but after that it was 3-4 times a week. Just find a good fitness trainer and they will get you started. After the first year I just did the exercises at home.

MANY thanks! I have been to a physical therapist. I wasn't so sure the exercises were helping. I will now take them more seriously and watch for progress. Thrilled to hear that this problem is surmountable for at least some! Recommitment!