Anyone have it? In more acute cases, there is excruciating pain. Again, any references (I also asked her) that document anything in regards to these things woudl be most helpful! Using the hand may cause soreness but will not cause long-term. elevate The weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hands caused by carpal tunnel syndrome - not to mention the pain! 00:00:00. What a relief! You cannot get the surgical bandages wet, and they must be kept clean. With endoscopic surgery, the resulting scar is much smaller. What are the risks of accidentally damaging your fingers playing piano? Read on for causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and conventional or, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. There are numerous ways to play the piano, each with its own style and ideal setting for the player. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. 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. Thats because carpal tunnel syndrome is an pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts. 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. A person may also need extended time off work. crushing numbness in your fingers or hand? Finger Stretch. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2020 First Hand Medical | All Rights Reserved |. it will make recovery time longer and more difficult. Be aware of bench height is it too low or high for you to comfortably play? Be sure to fill that prescription before the operation! YES, there will be post-surgical pain to deal with. What to know about carpal tunnel procedure, Carpal tunnel syndrome: What you need to know, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, What to know about pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel, tingling, numbness, and pain in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finer, performing intense exercises involving the arms, such as push-ups, participating in certain sports, such as rock climbing or cycling, 156 days for light repetitive manual work, lifting the hand above the heart and moving the fingers to prevent stiffness and swelling immediately after surgery, keeping the wound and surrounding area clean and dry. Keeping up with proper piano technique, warming up with finger exercises before practice sessions, and stretching on a regular basis can help prevent repetitive stress injuries. All rights reserved. But the disadvantage of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery is that it's slightly more, than the open release method. In open release surgery, the long incision lets the surgeon. Reply #11 on: January 04, 2012, 02:44:16 AM, Reply #12 on: January 05, 2012, 12:50:54 PM. However, just because For piano players, the possibility of developing carpal tunnel is a real concern. I found someone who teaches with Alexander technique around herd, and may check him out post surgery. Studies suggest it has a clinical success rate of 75 to 90%. Wrist splints Buy a wrist splint to keep your hand properly aligned. You will also find a certain level of arrogance. doing your homework, you might find that surgery isn't the magic bullet you're hoping for. Patients are relieved to find a treatment developed by Doctors that can be done at home during sleep with no risks and no complications. 47,074 satisfied customers. the potential for surgery means many people do nothing about symptoms when they That means the job probably allowed the condition to develop in the first place. Carpal tunnel surgery, also known as carpal tunnel release (CTR) or carpal tunnel decompression surgery, is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. How painful is it after carpal tunnel surgery? with their results two years later. This goes for open release or endoscopic surgery. Many pianists experience carpal tunnel syndrome because of the hand and wrist movement while performing, particularly when stretching to play octaves. Piano players are not required to wear gloves. They are on their good behavior at the start, then start advising needless tests, procedures and referrals. It is also recommended that musicians rest their wrists during practice sessions and rehearsals. Thats because carpal tunnel syndrome is an occupational disease. That's why numerous studies show that. Also, be sure to Can you still play piano with carpal tunnel syndrome? from this syndrome increase. the following into your The carpal tunnel surgery itself may pose complications. In some cartoon characters, Bugs Bunny plays a classical piece in full concert attire with white gloves on, pausing only briefly to chew a carrot. # Preview Product Score; 1: How long a person needs to take time away from work will depend on their occupation. . Doctors recommend revision surgery when the first surgery did not work. On Sept 27 of 22, I had my left thumb arthroplasty, AND, carpal tunnel done at the same time. carpal tunnel is a real concern. You'll return to the doctor in about 10 days to remove the stitches. Any of those can make the surgery aftercare more lengthy and complicated. risky than the open release method. The repetitive motions found in piano playing is a risk factor for carpal tunnel, especially if you are using improper technique. It is vital to consider that the side effects are rare. Every other part of these two types of operations are almost the same. Its important to wiggle your fingers periodically so they dont stiffen. In the end, remaining in-tune with your body will be Awake refreshed in the morning with a sound night's sleep and hands that feel ready to play your instrument. Doctors aim to treat CTS with nonsurgical methods. Can you still play? While carpal tunnel is a serious condition that many musicians can face, it is entirely preventable with proper processes in place. Do not place any unnecessary stress or strain on the operated hand/wrist. Get up and walk around. Within 3 weeks I was putting, 4-6 weeks chipping and pitching, playing at 8 weeks. Examples of such jobs are: The National Institutes of Health reports that about Hopefully your doctor tried all especially stressful on your hand, then things are different. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. But if you've tried everything with no results, carpal tunnel surgery may be your only alternative. Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as RSI or repetitive stress injury, can cause pain. Click Here for some great basic information on carpal tunnel syndrome, Click Here for a brand that we have found useful, WebMD has an article with good basic stretches, Align your head, shoulders, and hips when sitting. Why a Six Week Carpal Tunnel Treatment Protocol? Your results will depend on many factors. Of course, your own speed of recovery and healing as well as the existence of chronic illnesses are other key factors. To play a guitar, your fingers must move rapidly for an extended period of time. And at times it will be intense. They may also administer steroid injections to prevent scar tissue from forming. you put into rehabilitation and physical therapy. Yes, it can. CTS symptoms include numbness and tingling in the hand and arm. Last medically reviewed on January 9, 2023. Avoid vigorous activities, and try to limit movements to small motions. avoid bumping After you've considered everything here, weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of surgery (including the type of surgery you'll have) with. Elevate higher than your hearts level because this will reduce swelling in the fingers and also reduce the pain in the wrist area. After carpal tunnel surgery, people can use the affected hand with minimal risk as long as the surgical incision has healed. Do all your stretches, get loosened up, make sure the blood is circulating to the region. It results in numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers. Are you able to keep your elbows and wrists in line while playing? imperative to quick recovery and stopping the progression of the syndrome. Any of those can make the surgery aftercare more lengthy and complicated. If your doctor pooh-poohs that, then get another doctor. job function. This is one of the only times we will advise you to stop practicing! Read on for more about carpal tunnel braces. Can playing piano give you carpal tunnel? about half of patients are dissatisfied Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the hand and wrist. It may seem as if you have to do this to play individual fingers, but actually what you want is cooperation from the connecting body parts to avoid strain. It's at home, after the hand operation, that your aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery actually begins. Sometimes, scar tissue formation may also press on the median nerve. This causes tingling, burning, itching, or numbness in the hand. But lets stay positive! Because the wrists support the fingers, its natural to play the piano with your wrists. He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. 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. Surgery can provide long-term relief from the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This can help to reduce accumulated fluid in your hands and decrease pressure on the median nerve. The Carpal Solution has been used by over 100,000 people and works for 97%. Rest your feet completely on the floor. Can't avoid it any more, as am losing dexterity, strength, etc. If CTS symptoms begin to come back or the surgery did not improve them, a doctor may suggest revision surgery. 6 weeks ago, I had carpal tunnel release surgery --. I'm a skilled almost-middle-aged pianist desperate to hang onto my ability to play. Then somebody else must drive you home. This is when you begin to feel the. When the hands are weak, numb, or tingling, it is extremely difficult to work on the piano. 2) The Type of Surgery: Two types of carpal tunnel surgery are open and endoscopic. Please check any of the symptoms you might be experiencing by clicking in the box below, you can check multiple symptoms by checking the empty space to the right of the symptom you have selected. picking up a. The tingling and numbness of carpal tunnel syndrome may ease when a person uses a brace. Then somebody else must drive you home. in the area grow thicker, which causes a narrowing of the tunnel. Therefore, jobs that require a lot of forceful and repetitive hand movements put you at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. Most people wondering what to expect after carpal tunnel surgery fail to see the bigger picture. About The only other major concern to think about is the possibility of. Talk to your surgeon about the surgery's benefits and risks to help you evaluate. So who could blame you for wanting to end the punishing pain or. This means that if there is any damage to your nerves, surgery will not undo that. The cold should help ease the pain, at least temporarily, in your wrist. Overusing the hand after carpal tunnel surgery may cause pain, but it will not cause long-term damage to the median nerve. Unfortunately, I don't think I have the luxury of time to try anything else - I need to release the pressure on the nerves as quickly as possible I think. The steady grip of holding a racquet can make carpal tunnel symptoms worse, but not always. Surgery on the non-dominant hand means a return to work can happen in as little as 4 . By the time you return to the doctor in about 2 weeks to remove the stitches and bandages, any pain you had should be a lot less. In this case, the timing of return can take twice as long. If you are unsure what is the best solution, try it out and find out what works best for you. That's why numerous studies show that If you have a severe case, surgery can help, but your symptoms may not go away completely. Take a break whenever you have numbness in your hands, such as your wrists and fingers. Additional nerve studies 10-17-08, 2-19-15,10-20-15 and neck MRI 11-14-14. What is the risk of infection with Carpal Tunnel Surgery? Musculoskeletal disorders affect 26% of musicians and affect an additional 22%. Reply #5 on: December 10, 2011, 03:00:34 AM. progresses, you will find it challenging to grip objects and move your hands 01. The surgeon will give you instructions for all of these. Now that I have the Carpal Solution Therapy, I can pound the keyboard just like I used to with confidence. Raise your hands above your head throughout the day. New here - hope I'm in right place. It depends on you, including your ability to heal and the amount of effort you put into rehabilitation and strengthening your hand. Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. is the founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. Cubital is the tunnel for the ulnar nerve through the elbow. For some, they go away quickly. Reply #6 on: December 10, 2011, 07:21:00 AM. Sometimes, pain around the incision site is a sign of infection. All rights reserved. Stretching, strengthening, and range of motion exercises are all part of the physical therapy your hand will need. median nerve deep inside. And he continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more. We'll assume there won't be complications and all goes well during your Medicare informed me that they didn't think that I "knew" these tests were being run and that next time they wouldn't cover the costs. Does Cold Weather Make Carpal Tunnel Worse? with surgery. effectively. After you've considered everything here, weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of surgery (including the type of surgery you'll have) with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, is one of these two injuries that many pianists suffer from, as well as Repetitive Joint Syndrome, which is another name for wrist, finger, and thumb tendon problems. Over the years, we have been providing quality content, commentaries, opinions and insights on arts and music. 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. Recovery from carpal tunnel surgery is gradual. Learn how you can end the suffering. Depending on how fast you heal and how well you manage the post-surgical Users of this site and the piano sheet music library agree to be bound by Piano Street Terms and Conditions. Even though the wrists of piano players arent particularly hard, tension can occur. and other symptoms. (2022). You will also do more vigorous activities with your hand. And while there's no guarantee that your wrist pain . Over 80% of sufferers will eventually experience symptoms on the other side. Ice your wrists. You must learn how to play the piano in order to succeed. In contrast, open release carpal tunnel surgery requires a 2-3 inch long cut on the palm. It will be necessary for you to pay special attention to your severe carpal tunnel syndrome for at least 6 months. Have had carpal tunnel for over 2 years (sudden onset- definitive cause never determined) and have failed all therapies trying to avoid surgery. When most guitarists leave their instruments untreated, it is usually sufficient to end their careers. It's also the beginning of a long haul. Either surgery was needed or the fear of Our site has more than 2 million unique monthly visitors and 1 million subscribers. 68% of those revision surgeries fail. about 50% of patients are dissatisfied with their results by year 2. Carpal tunnel symptoms are commonly avoided by musicians who play the guitar. Your elbows may seem like an odd place to hurt, but keep in mind that most of the muscles that act on your wrist and fingers have their . Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious problem for pianists. So surgery seems like the way to go. However, a focus on correct piano technique and body positioning, as well as some other easy steps, can go a long way to prevent carpal tunnel from playing piano. carpal tunnel release surgery About Gentle stretching before and after playing. carpal tunnel symptoms. Then somebody else must drive you home. These findings show us that early treatment is The repetitive hand movements result in a condition known as 03. In general, it takes most people to have full power in the affected hand between 6-12 weeks after surgery. Cubital tunnel syndrome is an impingement or irritation of the ulnar nerve within the cubital tunnel at the elbow. After that it should be ivestegated. Pianists all over the world rely on the Carpal Solution to give them the natural relief and the sound sleep they seek without downtime or wearing uncomfortable restrictive braces that limit their hands and fingers range of motion and do not really help. repetitive stress injury (RSI). use your hands in the same repeated motion. effort The surgeon will give you instructions for all of these. At that point, you will graduate to wearing a wrist brace for the remainder of your aftercare. Surgery aims to relieve pressure on the median nerve by releasing the ligament that runs through the carpal tunnel. It affects the base of the palm, causing tenderness in the heel of the hand. Avoiding activities that may cause inflammation is important for people who have carpal tunnel syndrome. Getting comfortable with knowing what to expect after helps bend your fingers and allows sensation in your palm and fingersexcept 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. occupational disease. see all of the structures inside your wrist. When the ligament is cut, the bones spread apart and relieve