Sore Thumb

[Mark Story]

John,

By now you see that your problem with your hand is not completely unique, 
if still rare. I developed this problem after tuning 7 pianos in one day 
for a music festival-competition. Of course, the problem didn't just happen 
that day - it just took that long for me to take it seriously. After 
several MD consults and time to rest, it didn't go away. The second 
Orthopedic Surgeon said that I had to stop doing what I was doing or face 
fusion surgery (when all you have is a hammer, every thing looks like a 
nail). In any case, by that time it was obvious that what ever was wrong 
with my hand wasn't just a passing infirmity. My permanent solution was to 
learn to tune with an ETD and confine my testing to two hands. At the same 
time I fashioned a "bonker" to distribute the shock on my left hand, and to 
eventually include in it a note switch (for speed and convenience).

Since accommodating this problem reasonably satisfactorily, I have learned 
more about the problem. In my case, the problem was caused by my crashing 
tuning octaves on my poor little piggy hand, aggravated by a hereditary 
form of arthropathy (sorry mom). I read in a pianists' periodical that, 
this is not uncommon among pianists' hand problems. The particular victim 
in the hand is the navicular bone. The article said that there is a 50/1 
leverage on this little rectangular-shaped bone. As far as the arthopathy 
is concerned, I have developed other chronically sore joints, so that my 
left hand is no longer alone. If, like me, you want to stay away from 
regular use of NSAIDs and steroids, you can go the ergonomic route and make 
sure that you are using your body in the most natural, and least stressful 
way. If you scrutinize your routine with that in mind, it's surprising what 
obvious changes you can see need to be made. You could call it the "Al 
Method", or "Alexander Lite" - the Alexander Method without the new-age 
philosophy.

Mark Story. RPT
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, Washington


-----Original Message-----
From:	John Lillico, RPT [SMTP:staytuned@idirect.com]
Sent:	Monday, June 19, 2000 7:02 PM
To:	pianotech@ptg.org
Subject:	Sore Thumb

Dr. Ron and others,

I've developed a sore thumb this past week. The pain is at the base of my 
left thumb. Being a right-handed tuner it sure makes it difficult to check 
my work with tenths as the stretch is a bit much.

Has anyone in the 59 plus age group experienced this? Could it be 
arthritis?

I had a rotater problem in my right shoulder a year ago, but it seems to 
have mended on its own.

Don't tell me it's time to retire just yet. I won't even be out of debt 
until 65!!

John Lillico, RPT,
Oakville, Ontario