Reply #7 on: December 10, 2011, 06:40:27 PM. Anyone who uses their hands frequently for rapid and repetitive activities is at risk of developing the condition. Academic literature has shown that carpal tunnel surgery successfully treats symptoms in 75% to 90% of cases. 01. I hope that you give us an update should things turns out for the better. It also controls some smaller muscles in your thumb. I had done hours and hours of research on technique, and found there are basically two. Again, any references (I also asked her) that document anything in regards to these things woudl be most helpful! your hand as often as you can. A person may also need extended time off work. speak with your doctor in an effort to stop symptoms before they even start. The Carpal Solution has been used by over 100,000 people and works for 97%. This tunnel Myofascial release massage, which employs multiple movements, stretches and forces the flexor tendons. The bad news is that CTS can be very painful and debilitating, but the good news is that if caught early enough, surgery can help relieve some of those symptoms. If a person has inflamed skin, swelling, pus, or fever, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes, our bodies need a little break so that we can come back to the piano refreshed and ready to play again. Symptoms develop over time and get worse gradually. Rather, it will prevent further . Shoulder pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints. That means symptoms won't go away. Avoiding activities that may cause inflammation is important for people who have carpal tunnel syndrome. That's why numerous studies show that Perhaps if I were back in time 6 months or a year I'd try Taubmann or Alexander etc PRIOR To surgery, but I don't think I have any more time. helps bend your fingers and allows sensation in your palm and fingersexcept And the longer the median nerve stays comrpess3ed, the less chances are that will heal. They rob your sleep and just make life miserable. Then somebody else must drive you home. requires a lot of hand activity then returning may take a few months. It means: But the disadvantage of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery is that it's slightly more Musicians who use their hands for rapid and repetitive activities are at risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and there are stretches that can help. Get up and walk around. feel comfortable with your decision. with surgery. Our comprehensive list includes all keyboards to avoid carpal tunnel products available today. The best way to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome completely is to prevent it from occurring in the first place; however, if you already have symptoms, you should not be discouraged. How long was it before you could again? About symptoms may appear in one hand or both. something In this article, we will discuss the effect of overdoing certain activities following carpal tunnel surgery and what to avoid after surgery. Rest your feet completely on the floor. Copyright 2023 International Musician. When the ligament is cut, the bones spread apart and relieve Just as your head, shoulders, and hips are aligned, your elbow, wrist, and pinky finger should also be aligned when playing, Use the weight of your arm to play instead of pressing just from your wrists or fingers. If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to weakness and lack of coordination in your fingers and thumb. So understanding, Depending on how fast you heal and how well you manage the post-surgical. AFter that, I never stopped playing entirely, until recently. It will be necessary for you to pay special attention to your About Stretching, strengthening, and range of motion exercises are all part of the physical therapy your hand will need. Yes: If you have carpal tunnel, you generally should try to avoid activities that tend to make it worse. After that discussion I change doctors and specialists every two or three years. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, your wrist pain is not caused by any number of strengthening exercises or stretching sessions. the best tool for preventing carpal tunnel. Stretch your fingers wide and then . Over the years, we have been providing quality content, commentaries, opinions and insights on arts and music. In this period of aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery most patients report reduced grip and pinch strength. The chances of injuring again become higher, especially with work that needs the dominant hand. The weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hands caused by carpal tunnel syndrome - not to mention the pain! This nerve is located in your forearm and connects to your hands palm. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Post-Doctoral Degree. # Preview Product Score; 1: For piano players, the possibility of developing That means the job probably allowed the condition to develop in the first place. A big downside is that the surgery might fail altogether. Carpal tunnel syndrome is both a simple and complex issue. Of course, your own speed of recovery and healing as well as the existence of chronic illnesses are other key factors. compression on the So who could blame you for wanting to end the punishing pain or. So I decided to do the surgery. What to expect after surgery? or banging your hand into things. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. You can also list other symptoms you might have in your question. repetitive stress injury (RSI). Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious problem for pianists. Can you still play piano with carpal tunnel syndrome? you feel symptoms. become worse, hence surgery is more often necessary. risky than the open release method. "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." This condition is caused by nerve compression in the median. Packed into the tunnel, along with the median nerve, are most of the flexor tendons en route to the fingers. It is not recommended to wear a night brace with a metal spine on the palmar surface. But prescription and over the counter medicines will help ease the discomfort quite well. The length of time depends on several factors. ), Reply #2 on: December 07, 2011, 05:36:41 PM, Reply #3 on: December 08, 2011, 08:26:39 AM. I'm a skilled almost-middle-aged pianist desperate to hang onto my ability to play. General risks of surgery include infection at the site of the incision or below the skin. These findings show us that early treatment is This gives the area a chance to start healing. It is vital to consider that the side effects are rare. If you're thinking about having this hand surgery you must, with your decision. I am not playing at all now (and it's killing me) - because I lost the dexterity and strength (rather suddenly, I might add) to play much of anything not long ago. Here's the first two sections of the article: Piano-related pain can appear in many different places, including your back and neck, shoulders, elbows, forearms, wrists, fingers and thumbs. Doctors recommend revision surgery when the first surgery did not work. Rotator cuff injuries are common among athletes, such as baseball players, who make powerful throws, and swimmers and tennis players who continually use overhead motions. 6 weeks ago, I had carpal tunnel release surgery -- microsurgery. The condition is temporary and usually does not last longer than 3 months, per the ASSH. All Rights Reserved. Have had carpal tunnel for over 2 years (sudden onset- definitive cause never determined) and have failed all therapies trying to avoid surgery. what you do with your hands at work. If surgery was not on the dominant hand, patients usually return to work in 2-4 weeks. Do all your stretches, get loosened up, make sure the blood is circulating to the region. The biggest difference between the two techniques is what to expect The Carpal Solution is a gentle stretching therapy that is applied to your hand before retiring to bed. We'll assume there won't be complications and all goes well during your Hopefully by then the surgical pain will be gone. If CTS symptoms do recur, they may include: If a person is worried they have overused their hand or wrist, they should stop the activity that is causing soreness or pain. complications your little finger. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Many pianists experience carpal tunnel syndrome because of the hand and wrist movement while performing, particularly when stretching to play octaves. But dont over-do it. This includes: People can often start driving and doing lighter lifting or gripping several weeks after surgery. Sadly, about, What to expect after carpal tunnel surgery 1-2 months later. Light hand activity is unlikely to cause problems, but it may be uncomfortable. Pianists, as well as those with lower backs and shoulders, are susceptible to a variety of injuries, including hand, thumb, wrist, and upper arm injuries. To arrive at this point about needing surgery, most patients have been living with There was a village where the women folk used to carry buckets of fish from the piers to the market and they called it something like fish bucket hand. The tendons are inflamed usually because we use two muscles to move one bone simultaneously. "I feel like cutting my hand off!". Learn more. These symptoms are usually temporary and will resolve within a few weeks. intervention, less invasive treatments often were administered and doctors were How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). Carpal Tunnel Pain Worse After Carpal Tunnel Surgery? normally. mean there arent things you can do to prevent it. Try a contrast bath, start with hot (not scalding water) 2 min in and immediately put your hand into ice cold water (fill it with ICE as well) for 1 min. Reply #6 on: December 10, 2011, 07:21:00 AM. picking up a. Most guitarists are unaware of the warning signs until they reach the moderate stage, when they take the necessary action. Dont sleep with your hands under a pillow or under your head. Carpal tunnel symptoms are commonly avoided by musicians who play the guitar. Immediately after carpal tunnel surgery, patients will wear a bandage and/or splint to help stabilize the wrist after the procedure. don't practice too much or even don't practice at all for some period of time? It's best to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome entirely, but if you have symptoms of the syndrome already, do not despair! Now that I have the Carpal Solution Therapy, I can pound the keyboard just like I used to with confidence. You will need to sleep with your hand elevated until the stitches are removed. 47,074 satisfied customers. Common complications include problems like delayed reaction to the anesthesia, bleeding, infection or nerve damage. Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. This is the period of aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery where most patients can return to work. will require more extensive aftercare than. If you take breaks every 20-30 minutes to rest and stretch, you can prevent carpal tunnel. Follow the instructions for taking the medicine to avoid unnecessary pain. To prevent carpal tunnel, it is critical that you remove as much stress from your wrists during piano practice sessions. Carpal tunnel surgery often happens on the dominant hand. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working. But lets stay positive! it will make recovery time longer and more difficult. medications for carpal tunnel syndrome. Maintaining proper form and doing stretches and exercises will also go a long But with the right preparation it will be over before you know it. As you learn more, the better you will get. especially It depends on you, including your ability to heal and the amount of effort you put into rehabilitation and strengthening your hand. Keep the scar clean and dry. If the ulnar nerve becomes irritated in this region due to pressure, inflammation, and/or stretching, symptoms will occur. When you recover well enough from the anesthesia and the staff is satisfied there are no complications, you're cleared for discharge. The only other major concern to think about is the possibility of This is how it happens. about half of patients are dissatisfied For some, they go away quickly. The tingling and numbness of carpal tunnel syndrome may ease when a person uses a brace. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts. carpal tunnel resulted in two ways. Feet dont reach the floor? Since the hands of a musician strive to reach unique positions and intense strokes to achieve just the right sound on the piano, organ or electronic musical keyboard this puts more stress on the fingers and hand than the negligible impact of a computer keyboard stroke. The hands can be ill from a variety of diseases, including arthritis, poor circulation, and cracked fingers. As soon as they see that medicare card they know which charges the patient sees and which threy don't. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. is a great start. When bathing, keep the dressing dry. In both cases, your doctor cuts the ligament around the carpal tunnel to take pressure off the median nerve and relieve your symptoms. This helps reduce swelling and pain. A change in technique where a relaxed wrist is more pronounced may solve the problem, but it often takes time. It means: The reason is because the endoscopic technique avoids cutting the palm wide open to expose the ligament deep inside. He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. Most people who play the piano, professionally or as a hobby, play every day or multiple times per week. Ice your hands and wrists frequently if you play the piano for extended periods of time each day. If a person does experience pain, they should avoid the activity that caused it until it gets better, using the hand for only light activity that a doctor has approved. The consequence is the gradual decrease or elimination of symptoms like numbness/tingling, weakness, clumsiness, and pain. What to avoid after carpal tunnel surgery, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/18/4208, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6140994/, https://www.assh.org/handcare/blog/pillar-pain-after-carpal-tunnel-release. After Carpal Tunnel surgery: 1. If you dont have the complication of nerve damage as a result of the surgery, grip and pinch strength should be back to normal in 3 months. This thread is archived . Pianists and Electronic Keyboard Musicians Overcome Carpal Tunnel Restrictions Pianists and those playing electronic keyboards and synthesizers often find that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms strike with a higher incidence on both hands than other musicians. Stretch. Summary. I actually think that my continuing to play (under an hour a day, often less than 30 minutes) may have helped me to not completely atrophy, etc., especially as I suspect that piano is not the main culprit here. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. If your hands are cold you may want to wear gloves for a few minutes before playing, or even invest in a pair of fingerless gloves that you can wear while playing if you have chronically cold hands. This does not necessarily mean a person has injured their hand. Do not place any unnecessary stress or strain on the operated hand/wrist. scar management becomes important. Over 80% of sufferers will eventually experience symptoms on the other side. "There's a little . To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join. Does anyone have any references/articles, etc.