Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Mr. Jelly · #1 09-26-2023, 08:01 AM

The short version is that I came up with carpal tunnel with my fretting hand overnight. No inclination of an issue to a swollen hand with three numb fingers. And pain, lots of pain. The bottom line at this point is that I am waiting for the call to set up a surgery date. It's been three months since this started.

After you healed from the surgery how have things worked out for those of you that have gone through this issue?

offkey · #2 09-27-2023, 06:41 AM

I had carpel tunnel surgery on my left hand years ago and got immediate relief. I should have done it sooner. I am now scheduled for the right hand. Recovery was very quick.

David Eastwood · #3 09-27-2023, 06:54 AM

I had both mine done a couple of years ago. Recovery was quick for me, also - in fact, guitar playing was encouraged as a good way to regain mobility.

I’m really glad I had it done. Mine was at the stage that the pain was keeping me awake at night.

Charmed Life Picks · #4 09-27-2023, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

The short version is that I came up with carpal tunnel with my fretting hand overnight. No inclination of an issue to a swollen hand with three numb fingers. And pain, lots of pain. The bottom line at this point is that I am waiting for the call to set up a surgery date. It's been three months since this started.

After you healed from the surgery how have things worked out for those of you that have gone through this issue?

Jelly, I had a friend in a similar situation to you -- happened virtually overnight. He's a guy in his mid sixties who's been playing his whole life. He writes and plays music here in the film and TV biz in L.A.

Just to give you another view, his recovery has been very slow. He's improving incrementally, doing PT, but still not able to play guitar. Not to be a downer. Everyone's journey is different.

scott memmer

Mr. Jelly · #5 11-07-2023, 08:31 AM

Yesterday I had surgery on my fretting hand. Hopefully I can start the healing process now. A year ago, I probably did the best show of my life. Now, after three plus months of not being able to play I can't remember being able to make those sounds I love on guitar. I still get that feeling of wanting to "do that" when I watch a video though.

David Eastwood · #6 11-07-2023, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

Yesterday I had surgery on my fretting hand. Hopefully I can start the healing process now. A year ago, I probably did the best show of my life. Now, after three plus months of not being able to play I can't remember being able to make those sounds I love on guitar. I still get that feeling of wanting to "do that" when I watch a video though.

I hope your recovery is smooth, swift and complete!

Guitars44me · #7 11-07-2023, 09:13 AM

I assume your doctor has referred you to a good physical therapist.

My left hand CT surgery was successful and my recovery was pretty fast. Now, over two years later, I am back to playing the 12 string. Although, if anything starts to hurt, I stop. Now.

I attribute a lot of this to the physical therapy, which I continue to do. Interestingly, my surgeon said my carpal tunnel was worse in my right hand, but it is not giving me trouble. I am right handed, so I fret with my left, and that was the one that was giving me serious grief to the point that I sold all my 12 Strings. And I got even more into the lap slide.

I found almost all the PT exercises were very similar to things. I’ve been doing all my life in yoga. But I didn’t do them often enough I guess…. I was doing the PT five or six times daily. I was seriously motivated!

Wishing you great success in your recovery, and hopefully you’ll get back to Music soon!

Cheers

Paul.