Recovering from injury

[flashcat]

Have any of you heard about how long it would take a pianist to recover from a broken right leg. Arms and hands are fine, but the right leg, knee and ankle are all in a cast. Doctors are estimating about 3 months before performing in public (or even driving a car) is an option. Is pedaling with the left foot a do-able option?

Thank you for any advice you might give.

[invictious]

It would twist your spine at a stressful angle, even though it may not feel stressful at first. If you can just shift your piano chair..but that also makes piano playing uncomfortable..

What is it these days, even feet are important pianists too..not just fingers.

[richard black]

Is pedaling with the left foot a do-able option?

Most certainly it is, in fact you'll thank yourself for developing the skill (it won't take long) as it means you can relieve the stress in your right leg in long practice sessions! I do it from time to time. Of course, I suppose you'll be restricted to grand pianos only - can't imagine where you'd put the cast in front of an upright. Commiserations on the injury, by the way.

[dan101]

Your doctor's estimate sounds about right. Six weeks in a cast, followed by a month or so of strengthening is, in my experience, an average recovery time. I hope you feel better soon.

[pianistimo]

Not sure if this is absolutely good advice, but i cut off my own cast to under the knee at four weeks and dealt with the pain.  I didn't want my knee to get all stiff.  it was REALLY painful for a few days and then all of a sudden - the pain lifted for my knee and i started doing my own therapy.  The risk to all this is that you might fall and injure yourself again.  I was super careful and didn't go very many places (although i think i tripped over something - but it got my knee more functional because it could only bend about 1/4 of the way at first).  The cast I had was thigh high, too.

I sat on a chair and did these knee bending exercises over and over.  Just little bits at first and then more and more.  Then, as soon as I got my cast off - i started walking around a lot.  Then cycling.  Now, it's really ok unless it's about to rain.  It's like a barometer.

Pedaling is something that comes back to you - so it's not something to get excessively worried about.  I agree with invictious about spinal problems however.  You don't want to twist too much.  I had a piano bench to the side - and put my leg at a 45 degree angle at first and didn't pedal at all.  Then, when the cast came off - pedalling was sore and difficult.  It does get better.

[flashcat]

Thank you so much for all the helpful replies! 

[chopinmozart7]

i broke my leg many years ago,but i was able to play the piano very early, without using the pedals . hehe

[flashcat]

i broke my leg many years ago,but i was able to play the piano very early, without using the pedals . hehe

An all stacatto Debussy recital. Now there's a fun idea.