Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[punkykatt]

Hello all, Have any of you fine gentalmen been cursed with CTS? I had a nerve test done on both arms. They found I have CTS in both hands, the left hand being the worst. They sent me to a sports specialest (surgeon). He wants to cut as soon as possible. He told me I can start playing guitar right after the surgery. Can I believe him? My band is booked pretty solid  between now and the first of the year.  Have any of you had this surgery done or know someone who has and how long it takes to effectively play the guitar again?. Any help is much appreciated.  Thanks in advance .  Punky

[tubesornothing]

You bet, CTS and Chronic Tennis Elbow. I have gotten it from a combination of rock climbing, computer work and guitar playing.  When it first showed up a few years back, I went to a sports physiotherapist.  He gave me very simple exercises to do.  It took about 3 months - but it worked.  Now, when it pops up, I start back on the exercises and it goes away usually in a few weeks.  (I am suppose to do the exercises all the time  )

Surgeons are trained to fix things by cutting.  Perhaps before getting your arm cut up, see some other specialists, like physio, massage and or a kinesiologist.  See what they have to offer.

[punkykatt]

tubesornothing.  Thank you ,thank you, thank you.  Exercises, Im more into that than getting cut. (not actually the cut but the chance of loosing that special something in my left hand) Are the exercises general that anyone can do? If you have any info you can share I would be very greatful.  Punky :icon_salut:

[tubesornothing]

Hey Punky.  The exercises are simple, but I have a few buddies with CTS (climbers and guitar players!) and all of us were given different exercises specific to our injury. A good sports-physiotherapist should be able to set you up properly.

They do take quite a while to have an effect though (first time for me was three months). So you need to be consistent and patient.

[punkykatt]

Thanks for all your help tubesornothing. I kinda figuired they might be different for each individual case. I will start scouting around for a  physiotherapists or a kinesiologist.  Thanks again.  Punky

[2twang2]

I would for sure try non-invasive routes first. And while I've never done it, I have friends who have had good results with accupuncture for a wide range of problems. After my doc said there wasn't anything he could do about the arthritis in my left thumb, I asked him about accupuncture and said give it a try.

In the meantime, you might get a little relief from Aspercreme (easy to find, non-prescription) or Topricin (a not so easy to find, non-prescription cream, expensive).

[Heinz]

A friend of mine had the surgery done on both hands, one at a time. Each took about four weeks to return to normal.
He said he couldn't do much during that period, but I'm not sure if this was due to the surgery or just a long recovery from the serious disorder he had accumulated before.
However, the surgery itself was minimal (a tiny cut on each hand) and the result is perfect. No more pain or impairment, probably permanently.

Judging from his reports I doubt that you can play guitar right after the surgery. I'd prefer a non-invasive method as well or at least give it a try. If it doesn't work at all you can still resort to the surgery.

[punkykatt]

Thanks guys for the great suggestions. I will definetly look into all other options before going under the knife. My main goal right now is to get through all these up coming gigs without doing any more damage.  My wife just informed me there is a nero surgeon in town that plays guitar!!!! Cant wait to get his opinion on my situation.