Viohazard fell very heavily out of a car onto his outstretched right arm. X-ray doesn't show anything, but apparently some minor fractures up near the elbow (just where he's having pain, a little down from the elbow) *don't* show up well on x-ray. The type of pain he's having make me very suspicious, but there no orthopaedics staff on duty in any local hospital at that time of night, so nothing more to do till tomorrow.

I'm getting the impression that they're not going to be worried because the effect on freedom of movement (esp rotation) is usually minor, but of course, "minor" for everyday activities is not necessarily "minor" for playing violin, or even guitar.

Viohazard is left-handed, so his right arm is weaker anyway. So I'd appreciate any advice, particularly on whether resting ian arm injury longer than usual or alternatively getting it moving earlier than usual has been helpful for stringed instrument players.

The local orthopaedics clinic set son Airman's hand after it was broken by a school bully earlier this year, but it has set just slightly crooked and he cannot make a tight fist any more. I'd like to avoid repeating this kind of scenario for Viohazard...so please forgive me for sounding overanxious!

Hi, I am no expert but it sounds like a greenstick fracture which is like little hairline fractures, these are actually very common in children and sometimes even go unnoticed and do not usually present any huge problems later. I believe the treatment is resting it, maybe a painkiller but also maintain gentle exercise, but my advise would be to contact the Xray department to clarify how best to treat it or alternativly contact NHS Direct 0845 4647 who will gladly provide advice regarding your concerns

Ow. Not so fun

Possibly it was Paganini who suggested 40 days of "silent" (no bowing) practice. There was something about it on Radio 3 not so long ago. 40 days is a long time, but if he reckons silent practice is a good idea, I can't see that is would hurt! Oh and get out the aural tests and theory. I reckon fracturing my arm would be the only way I would ever do them.

As regards mending quickly, let it rest. Don't encourage any unnecesarry wrist/hand/arm action. Make sure it's well protected at school. That's where all injuries seem to develop, due to those unavoidable knocks and bumps. It's better to be overly cautious for a week than to not be able to play violin for a month...

Just a thought that if you have a professional orchestra reasonably nearby, someone there might be able to tell you if they tend to use a particular orthopaedics expert for such questions. If they do, it might not cost much (or anything) for an initial chat on the phone to them.

Sorry for the incoherent last posting! It turned out that Viohazard sprained both his shoulder and some muscle in his forearm fairly near the elbow...but no fracture. The double sprain was what was causing the puzzling range of pain.

It's settled down considerably, but he's not playing, and instead has been working on a song. (That is, his uncle sent him a tape of something that sounds like a calf stuck down a well, and Viohazard is ....er..."editing" it and adding harmony).

Thanks for the "silent practice" idea - his new teacher handed him a Bach sonata and told him to master it in two weeks, so he's got plenty of scope for improving his musicreading skills with silent practice!

So far he's resting it, and I hope he doesn't have pain in the elbow area when he starts playing again.

So sorry to hear the news, all ears. Hope he recovers sooner.