By Dave on Sunday, June 04, 2000 - 09:35 pm:

I am 35 and have had (by the measure of this board)mild hyper-mobile kneecaps since 8 years old. Four months ago I was playing my mandolin and thought I has sprained my left thumb. This rapidly developed over the next week into tendon problems. Everything was calming down with physio when tendons started blazing again and my wrist did not want to ulnar deviate without pain. I have now seen the area hand specialist who gave me a steriod injection into the ulna side of the wrist and diagnosed "you have a hypermobile wrist and such people get these sort of complaints, just carry on and do the things you like doing". My wrist is once more increasingly painful, the little finger tingling (as before) and tendons starting to complain. Two weeks ago I just went for it and tried swimming. A day later Iplayed the mando for at least 1 hour. Result - next morning all had cleared up! Now its back and I wonder - does anyone know of any exercises for the wrist NOT using the fingers? I reckon from reading your board that muscle and ligament condition is critical to proper joint action (I keep my knees toned and it helps) and I need to build up my wrist muscles. I dont trust the physios around here to really understand the condition as they are really used to treating sporting injuries. Oh, and thanks for the board, I have found it stimulating, encouraging and informative. Dave

By Sue C. on Sunday, June 04, 2000 - 09:36 pm:

My general practitioner suggested a set of seemingly benign wrist/arm exercises for me. I'll try to describe it. About 10 reps of each with 1-2 pound weights in each, then go on to the next motion:
palms up, curl your wrists up
palms down, curl your wrists up
palms down, twist wrists from that position to one where palms are facing up
repeat #1 with motion from elbows coming up toward your face
repeat with arms out to the sides, bent at the elbows, motion coming as hands to shoulders

I hope this helps you!

Good luck with the mandolin. I've found that I can't play stringed instruments at all because of my limp, hyperextending fingers. (Although I'm pretty good at woodwinds & some brass instruments.)

By Sallie on Friday, October 20, 2000 - 04:54 am:

Be careful of what exercises you get given to do, one psychio I had gave me exercises to do that harmed me because she did not understand HMS.

By R Neil on Wednesday, November 01, 2000 - 11:53 am:

This is a message for Sue C. My name is Rachel N. I have hypermobility and have been wondering myself about wrist exercises as my wrist are hypermobile and my thumb joint tends to dislocate.

I will try your recommended exercises. Thanks.

By Agnes on Wednesday, November 01, 2000 - 07:38 pm:

wrist exercises----just happened into this board. I am hypermobile and experience a lot of the symptoms everyone describes----the tensing of muscles and fear of falling are my biggest.

Am a pianist so have very good hands which are hypermobile but still have good strength for playing.

I do these to help with flexibility and strenght. Put hands in the prayer position and push against each other. Now, drop hands straight down---in reverse prayer position, and push against each other. Don't strain----be gentle with yourself.

Also, I do a lot of stretching with hands to keep them mobile. Also, playing the piano with wrists in correct supported position strengthens the wrist.

Yoga also has a wrist strengthening exercise on all fours on the floor---too hard to describe but similar in approach. Seek out a yoga practitioner and ask----they should be able to help.

By gholi khan on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 04:12 pm:

hi!there...
I discovering a web with my complex need!I couldn't find anything about wrist exercises for pianist.
I'm practicing hard for championship [although I haven't had any teacher].SO may wiste don't do well!
please,I want some useful exercises as soon as possible.
thanks
*S O S*