Musicians' medicine: musculoskeletal problems in string players

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Music Medicine

Background:

• Musicians, particularly string players, face a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (73.4%-87.7%).
• Specific postures and repetitive upper extremity movements in playing string instruments contribute to these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the anatomical positions and movements of the upper extremities in string players.
• To review common orthopedic disorders specific to string players.
• To discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of these musician-specific conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on musculoskeletal problems in musicians.
• Analysis of upper extremity biomechanics in string playing (instrument holding, fingering, bowing).
• Identification and discussion of prevalent orthopedic disorders.

Main Results:

• String players exhibit unique upper extremity postures and movements (e.g., fingering, bowing, vibrato).
• Commonly reviewed orthopedic disorders include overuse syndrome, muscle-tendon syndrome, focal dystonia, hypermobility syndrome, and compressive neuropathy.
• These conditions are directly linked to the demands of musical performance.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the specific biomechanics of string playing is crucial for identifying and managing musician injuries.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for addressing orthopedic disorders in string players.
• Further research into prevention and rehabilitation strategies is warranted.