Loose ligaments
Loose ligaments are what I have. Well, that’s no surprise to me, my thumbs are double-jointed and I’ve always been able to stretch my fingers back farther than most people. Apparently, though, these loose ligaments may make me more suseptible to repetitive strain injuries. Lucky me.
Anyway, it’s been interesting seeing a doctor and occupational therapist about this stuff, especially since both specialize in treating musicians! Now I know that I need a higher shoulder rest. And there’s something I can do to help my perpetually-collapsing fourth finger of my left hand.
The occupational therapist gave me one of these Oval-8 ring splints to try out. I thought it wasn’t really going to do much, but after practicing a little bit while wearing it, I did notice a little less discomfort with certain fourth-finger stretches. The ring was definitely giving support to my finger. The only problem is that the plastic ring is a little bulky, and did brush up against my third finger some, which was slightly distracting.
Also mentioned were these Silver Ring Splints, which are definitely nicer looking than the plastic version, and maybe less bulky, as well. Maybe if, after trying the plastic version some more, I think it helps, I’ll get the silver kind. The doctor I saw said his daughter wears these while playing violin.
At any rate, the too-low shoulder rest and the hyperextending pinky finger weren’t the things that have been bothering me lately. For my wrists, I’ll be having some ultrasound sessions (didn’t seem to help much when I had tendonitis in my shoulder in college, but I’ll give it a shot anyway), I’ll continue wearing wrist braces while typing (have to buy the left brace first), and I’ll start wearing things while I sleep that will keep my elbows straight. Apparently there’s a nerve or two going through my elbow that are getting a bit squished or something. It’s too bad, too, because I’m most comfortable sleeping with my elbows bent. Oh, and I have some stretches to do, and I also need to take a break every twenty minutes at work. It sounds good in theory, but it translates to at least 24 breaks a day, which seems a little much!
March 8th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Why hello! I have loose ligiments as well and I was wondering if your joints crack? mine do like there is no tommarrow. My worst spots are my wrists, thumbs, knees and ankles. I hurt so much everyday and I’m only 15. Well, it’s nice to know someone is going through the same things I am! talk to ya layter
March 9th, 2006 at 12:01 am
Hi Heather,
Well, I don’t have too much of a problem with joints cracking - mostly it’s
just my toes! Sometimes it feels like my hips don’t fit quite right, if I’m
doing some sort of exercise. But it doesn’t usually hurt. I’m sorry it does
for you. Do you have Ehlers-Danlos?
April 18th, 2006 at 12:35 am
I’m from Argentina, I dont really know if I’ve have Hypermobility or not, I dont pass the test but almost! I mean I almost can touch my forearm with my tumb, and I can walk like Chaplin, the worst thing ALL my joints cracks all the time. Sometimes it hurts the hand a little bit
July 27th, 2006 at 8:03 am
in the (nice) picture your finger is still overstreched
the splint doesn’t seem to work
You should ask someone to adapt the splint and have it more flexed
This can be done with a headgun
good luck
David
November 17th, 2006 at 2:40 am
i have been readin up on prolotherpy. because i have loose-ish ligaments they are not completly loose , but when ever i go to the physiotheripist or knee specailist they say “wow thats unusually loose ” . prolotherpy can and will help with loose ligaments read up on it for your self
November 21st, 2006 at 3:18 pm
hi… i have an injury and i went to my docotor and they said that my whole body has loose ligaments and i feel like i am the only person that has it in my school and i feel like people look at me differently like i am a weirdo or something. I am very flexible and i can do most things that other people can’t do…i can touch my thumb to my forearm i can put both my legs over my head in a pretzle. I just don’t think that that is normal…please help
November 21st, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Hi Corie,
You know, I think just about everyone has something about themselves that’s “not normal”, whether it’s something obvious or not. I know kids in school can be insensitive or mean (I hated middle school because it seemed like everyone was always picking on other people), but in the case of having loose ligaments, I suspect it’s something that you’re a lot more aware of than anyone else is. That is, unless you sit like a pretzel every day in class.
November 29th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
hey… I’m a musician and i have have really loose wrists. they pop in and out of place dozens of times each day. This only started happening after I started practicing piano, drums and mallets really heavily. There’s no pain involved, but I’m worried about Arthritis and other long term effects of this condition because I plan on majoring in music in college. My wrist joints also crack a lot, but right now lots of practicing and use of the muslces around the affected area seems to stablilize the joint slightly, but it still moves in and out of place effortlessly. any advice? thanks
December 12th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
Hi there,
I was just doing a search on ‘loose’ ligiments and found your page. I have been suffering for the last year and a half (since my first child was born) from intense siatic pain (I take major pain killers each night just to try and sleep through the night). I finally had an MRI done, and just before getting my results I was having intense pain in my hands for weeks (I had experienced the pain before but never for that length of time). I was worried it would be arthritis. When I went to get my results from the MRI, I was told I had two herniated discs and unstable spine due to ligament issues. He then examined my hands and confirmed the ‘loose ligament’ diagnoses.
If any of you know of treatments that have helped you to lessen the pain I would love to know what works for you.
Thanks!