
Blog
Learnings, teachings and tips & tricks for musicians with any problems with their Hands
Advice on how performers may be able to access funding for private healthcare
Mark talking to Martin Ranscombe ahead of our Webinar on Tuesday 10th December 2024 with BAPAM and the RSM
Just playing with DeepSeek…
Not bad for first go
Asked it to write a blog post for me about POCUS for a musicians’ hand clinic
**Introducing Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Game-Changer for Musicians’ Hand Health**
As a hand surgeon with a deep passion for helping musicians, I understand the unique demands placed on your hands, wrists, and fingers. Whether you’re a violinist, pianist, guitarist, or drummer, your hands are your most valuable tools—and keeping them in peak condition is essential to your craft. That’s why I’m excited to introduce a relatively new service that’s transforming the way we diagnose and treat hand injuries: **point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)**.
### What is Point-of-Care Ultrasound?
Point-of-care ultrasound is a cutting-edge imaging technology that allows me to perform real-time, high-resolution scans right in the clinic. Unlike traditional imaging methods, which often require scheduling appointments at external facilities, POCUS provides immediate insights into the structures of your hand, wrist, and fingers. This means faster diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and quicker recovery times.
### Why is POCUS Ideal for Musicians?
Musicians often experience repetitive strain injuries, tendonitis, nerve compression, or other soft tissue issues that can be difficult to pinpoint with standard imaging. POCUS offers several advantages:
- **Precision:** It provides detailed images of tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels, helping me identify even subtle abnormalities.
- **Convenience:** No need for separate imaging appointments—everything is done during your visit.
- **Dynamic Imaging:** I can observe your hands and fingers in motion, which is especially helpful for understanding how your condition affects your playing.
- **Non-Invasive and Safe:** Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, making it a safe option for repeated use.
### How Can POCUS Help You?
If you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, or weakness in your hands or wrists, POCUS can help us get to the root of the problem quickly. For example, it can detect conditions like:
- Tendon tears or inflammation
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Ganglion cysts
- Joint abnormalities
With this information, we can tailor a treatment plan that gets you back to playing your instrument as soon as possible.
### A Commitment to Your Craft
As a hand surgeon who works closely with musicians, I know how important it is to protect your hands and keep them in optimal condition. By incorporating POCUS into my practice, I’m able to offer you the most advanced, efficient, and patient-centered care available.
If you’re curious about how point-of-care ultrasound can help you, or if you’re experiencing any hand or wrist issues, don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we’ll ensure your hands are ready to hit every note with precision and passion.
Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re using technology to support the health and artistry of musicians like you!
— [Your Name], MD
Hand Surgeon & Advocate for Musicians’ Health
Mr Mark Phillips MA (Cantab), MBBChir, FRCS (Tr & Orth)
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon | London Sports Orthopaedics
Musicians Hand Clinical Webinar
Here is a lunchtime Zoominar I gave a few years ago, organised by Mary Wolff-Ingham, our marketing manager at London Sports Orthopaedics.
We had an audience of 30+ mixed professionals, mostly, but not just from around the UK; a great combination of hand therapists, doctors, musicians, musical educators and others. I talked for about half an hour on my learning over the last 5 years. And we had a great interactive session for about 25 minutes. And no major tech fails. Thank you, Zoom!