Violinist with Injured Left Wrist, Help needed to overcome injury Options

[Steamy]

Hi to everyone. I normally reside on the voice forum, but have a violin playing friend who has fractured his left wrist and it has mended rather badly. He now has limited flexibility and cannot play.
Does anyone have any tips or ways of working around this. I am able to manufacture any aids that he might need, but would like suggestions from anyone.

Your help needed to get my friend back to playing.

Thank you all

Steamy

[KTViola]

He's going to need professional medical/ physio advice on this. Do the doctors know how important his violin playing is? From reports from friends, they will usually work hard to help musicians back to mobility, particularly if their income relies upon it. Find out if there is professional physiotherapy available. Failing that, he could get in touch with BAPAM who again have a good reputation for looking after musicians.

[Steamy]

Thanks for your response KT. He has already been through the physio. and has been referred to me by his occupational therapist. I am involved with a charity that makes specialist equipment for disabled people, although for brevity I did not mention this in my first post.

We are going to try a chin rest adaptation which will put the rest about 65 mm out from the body of the violin and on the "wrong" side i.e. left of the instrument. This tilts the instrument around far enough to take the strain out of his left wrist, but also leaves enough room for the bow to miss his head (just). I'll leave another post when we know if it works. The clever bit is not damaging a good violin in the process!

Thanks for the info. on BAPAM - I will see if he is eligible. He was a professional musician, but is now retired; I don't know if he was in the MU.

Best wishes and thanks.

[Minstrel]

Been there...
I expect your friend may have explored this option already - but could his condition be helped by further surgery? It might be worth getting an opinion from another specialist/surgeon, especially as your friend is a former player and wishes to continue. Explaining your friend's musical background and needs to an experienced and undertanding hand specialist can make a huge difference to the potential outcome.
Very best wishes , M

[jojo]

Steamy, how far is he from London?
there is a clinic specialised in musicians where I am at St Thomas' in Central London.

They are a team of different doctors specialised in muscolo-skeletal problems with years of experience in helping all musicians.

Your friend can be referred by the GP.

I can pass you on the details for your friend to give to the GP, the GP can refer so long that your friend does not mind travelling there so can go even if from out of London.

[miffy]

I have heard very good things about the above clinic. They have helped some 'big names' in the performing and orchestral world. They work with musicians with musicians injuries, musicians with non-musical injuries, musicians with arthritis and other illnesses.
Your friend can be referred out of area for this.

[Steamy]

Thank you all again.
I am not sure if he would be prepared to travel for further surgery, but I can at least pass on the contacts etc. We are located in the Scottish Highlands, about 600 miles from London! and he is getting rather old. I know his wrist has already been re-set once, and he may be quite reluctant to go through it again.

Best wishs and thanks to you all.