Booger McGee - Posted - 11/07/2009:  17:05:07

Last Saturday I helped take down a garden shed belonging to my wife's friend's husband. In exchange for the labor, I got to keep the salvageable 2X4s (to build raised beds for our garden). The plan was for my wife to drop me off, run errands, and then pick me up several hours later.

When I got there, I found that the shed was MUCH larger than I had pictured AND the fellow had only a regular hammer and a short-handled sledge. But we went to work and had the shed down and stripped in a couple of hours.

The rest of that day, I felt fine. The following day, my right forearm hurt a little. By Monday, however, it felt as if it were on fire. Apparently I've developed some tendonitis and, as a result, I haven't been able to play banjo all week.

I'm certainly not looking for pity--there have been several members of this community who have faced far more serious injuries and challenges. I just wanted to relate that it's taken being sidelined for me to truly realize how important playing the banjo has become in my life. I first started playing at the end of May and have practiced (nearly) every day since then.

For the meantime, I'm resting, icing, taking plenty of ibiuprophen, and dreaming of being able to play the banjo again.

Booger

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 11/07/2009:  17:48:25

... a time to build up, a time to tear down, a time to chill out...

I'll never play like Earl Scruggs or sing like Luciano Pavarotti, but I'll pick better than Luciano and sing tenor better than Earl
deligo ergo renideo,
Bob Cameron

Ottawa - Posted - 11/07/2009:  17:49:05

Take it easy and I'll pick a Booger for yah, I mean I'll pick one for yah, Booger! Seriously, rest up. Tendonitis is horrible. I used to get it playing tennis all the time- bad technique.

Steven

stevel - Posted - 11/07/2009:  20:55:10

i know what you mean. i crushed one of my fingers on my left hand this past spring. took about 3 months to heal so that it didn't hurt when i played. as painful as it is (not playing while it heals), you'll appreciate it so much more when you're up and playing again.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 11/07/2009:  21:14:22

Take your downtime. Read about banjos, listen to banjo music, check out banjo websites. Maybe even do something that doesn't involve banjos -- but remember what happened last time -- better to stick with banjos.


http://www.rocketsciencebanjo.com
Rocket Science Banjo - Advanced Clawhammer Techniques for beginners and long time players alike. Plus videos and 25-40 EZ Clawhammer Tunes.
& check out "How To Mold A Mighty Pinky" at:
http://www.pricklypearmusic.net
banjo brad's great banjo site

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 11/08/2009:  00:07:31

If it keeps up, consider some physical therapy.
I was having some tennis elbow problems that I had
let get out of control, and a few sessions of PT with
the prescribed stretching techniques helped resolve the
problem. Additionally, the stretches I was shown are good
maintenance techniques.

Good Luck.

R.D. Lunceford- "Missourian in Exile"
Model 1865 Bowlin Fretless Banjo
****************************************************
"Drink from the Musselfork once, and you'll
always come back." -Dr. Bondurant Hughes, 1917

Banjo75 - Posted - 11/08/2009:  12:30:01

I agree with Woodchuck. Take the time to listen to banjo music and read up on it. Attack it from a different angle. You'll be up and playing before you know it.

............................................................
I have sung in hobo jungles, and I have sung for the Rockefellers, and I am proud that I have never refused to sing for anybody. - Pete Seeger

barbbanjo - Posted - 11/08/2009:  17:54:45

Howdy! I agree with Banjo75 who agrees with Woodchuck - fulfill your banjo lust in other ways! I think the Bill Monroe video is at the library and maybe even some other videos. Plus books and CDs etc. I wonder how long it will last? Know that we are all thinking of you if you don't make it to jam. I'm sending you a note about this coming Thursday so check your email!

BRUNO25 - Posted - 11/10/2009:  15:57:17

Hey Booger! Rough news, Man! I am a farrier (horseshoer) by day. I generally swing a hammer quite a bit. Ever once in a while I will really trash my arm. Sounds like the same thing you've got goin' on.

A lot of times I will feel it up near the elbow, just below the joint. That's usually in the beginning of the injury. But later it seems to descend into the forearm in the form of really hard, tender strands of muscle.

One of my clients is a massage therapist. She does deep tissue work, and does it well. She saved me last year. I wasn't sure if I could keep shoeing horses or playing banjo. I still do both, all the time.

If rest doesn't solve the problem for you, I would highly recommend finding someone who does good deep tissue massage. It might take two or three appointments, and it will be SOOO painful. But in the end you'll feel almost like new.

Good Luck!
John