Reply #8 on: December 10, 2011, 07:27:36 PM. Why Should I Avoid Carpal Tunnel Surgery? When the hands are weak, numb, or tingling, it is extremely difficult to work on the piano. Elevate higher than your hearts level because this will reduce swelling in the fingers and also reduce the pain in the wrist area. with their results two years later. You should consider surgery as your only option if all other options fail. It's best to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome entirely, but if you have symptoms of the syndrome already, do not despair! It is critical to keep your pianists hands clean during rehearsals, practice, and performance. No matter which type of carpal tunnel surgery you had, you will have restrictions in your activities. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. occupational disease. Musicians who use their hands for rapid and repetitive activities are at risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and there are stretches that can help. Talk to your surgeon about the surgery's benefits and risks to help you evaluate. median nerve deep inside. They can contribute to complete recovery in a few weeks versus a few months (or even a year). During recovery, people also need to avoid activities that strain the arms and hands or involve gripping or pinching. In open release surgery, the long incision lets the surgeon Can playing piano give you carpal tunnel? Sadly, about, What to expect after carpal tunnel surgery 1-2 months later. The chances of injuring again become higher, especially with work that needs the dominant hand. Playing the piano is quite a workout for . begins right after leaving the operating room. You will begin to feel the above issues in the fingers and the palm and After surgery for CTS, people are advised to limit hand movement while the incision heals. It also controls some smaller muscles in your thumb. A change in technique where a relaxed wrist is more pronounced may solve the problem, but it often takes time. weekly routine: For more stretches and strengthening exercises to help prevent carpal tunnel, read the helpful article at WebMD, What Exercises Help for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?. The Surgery for trigger finger is done to increase the space for your flexor tendon to move. Post-Doctoral Degree. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Do I have to rest from Work to Cure Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? - can severely limit time spent making music on the piano. Reply #10 on: December 11, 2011, 09:40:24 PM. In fact, are dissatisfied with their results by year 2. This will continue to settle down, and you may need some over-the-counter painkillers . Professions with a High Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, The Six Week Carpal Tunnel Treatment Protocol. They may also administer steroid injections to prevent scar tissue from forming. What factors affect aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery? pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts. Read these articles before you consider carpal tunnel surgery, Read these articles on your Carpal Tunnel treatment options, Call Experts on CTS to Ask Questions or Order the Carpal Solution Toll Free: 1-800-798-5210 or 1-801-930-9240 or 1-617-794-0503. or banging your hand into things. is the smart thing to do right now. Likewise, musicians are liable to incur tears because of overuse. Reply #6 on: December 10, 2011, 07:21:00 AM. Sometimes, scar tissue formation may also press on the median nerve. Use a stool. Other times, a second hole in the hand is needed to insert the scalpel (double portal technique). Reply #13 on: January 05, 2012, 03:12:01 PM. is a great start. All Rights Reserved. The carpal tunnel is a rigid and narrow passageway for bones and ligaments that houses the median nerve and tendons. The condition is caused by the compression of the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Nine times out of ten it is caused when the long flexor tendons are inflamed and they press on the median nerve in your carpal tunnel. Therefore, jobs that require a lot of forceful and repetitive hand movements put you at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. This is the preferred method to treat pain right at the source relying on the body's natural healing mechanisms. carpal tunnel is a real concern. The weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hands caused by carpal tunnel syndrome - not to mention the pain! 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. 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. The surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, known as carpal tunnel release, is a common and largely successful procedure. It will be necessary for you to pay special attention to your We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf. Thats because carpal tunnel syndrome is an One Jazz Electric Keyboarder from North Carolina said, It is so great to have a non-invasive therapy that I can depend upon whenever my symptoms flare up! 2. Piano players are not required to wear gloves. Either surgery was needed or the fear of to get rid of the terrible Developing carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious problem for piano players. While this is a great . Carpal tunnel surgery recoverybegins right after leaving the operating room. It's at home, after the hand operation, that your aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery actually begins. 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. High-risk jobs that require a lot of forceful and repetitive hand movements. After you've considered everything here, weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of surgery (including the type of surgery you'll have) with. Examples of such jobs are: The National Institutes of Health reports that about This may occur for several reasons, such as scar tissue development, delays in treatment, or incorrect technique during the procedure. Doctors tend to be classically minded and you will find a lot of them who play piano. Depending on how fast you heal and how well you manage the post-surgical https://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/13315528.html. imperative to quick recovery and stopping the progression of the syndrome. Other times, a second hole in the hand is needed to insert the scalpel (, Every other part of these two types of operations are almost the same. 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. Any repetitive motion you engage in may cause strain on your bodys tissues. that support the idea that endoscopic has better recovery rates for musicians than open (or anything else related, for that matter)? helps bend your fingers and allows sensation in your palm and fingersexcept Can I still play guitar? Carpal tunnel surgery is an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact the rigid carpal tunnel braces and hand splints actually make the condition worse over time because they compact and irritate already injured and inflamed soft tissue in the hands and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects your hand and is caused by pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. That's why numerous studies show that. in the area grow thicker, which causes a narrowing of the tunnel. Practicing in small segments, using proper technique, stretching the hands, and monitoring pain can help prevent carpal tunnel. In some patients, the symptoms never resolve completely. Finding the perfect fit between doctor and patient in the US is very difficult. 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. job function. Overusing the hand after carpal tunnel surgery may cause pain, but it will not cause long-term damage to the median nerve. 85% of these workers never return to that job. These include the type of surgery you have, your commitment to rehab, whether or not you had complications, and your own general health. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. This includes: People can often start driving and doing lighter lifting or gripping several weeks after surgery. Wrist Rotations. Read more. The open approach is preferred, just little benefit to a scope when the procedure itself is straightforward and benign. High-risk jobs that require a lot of forceful and repetitive hand movements. Ask your surgeon for specific guidelines, but you may be allowed to use your hand for non-repetitive motions within a week or two after surgery. But other complications may arise like nerve damage, prolonged pain, and permanent hand weakness. Is it better to play the piano while wearing gloves or a wristband? - can severely limit time spent making music on the piano. Symposium on Performance Science, which analyzed both men and women From the time you leave the surgical center to when your hand is restored can take months to years. Surgery aims to relieve pressure on the median nerve by releasing the ligament that runs through the carpal tunnel. I change doctors and specialists every two or three years. That's because there's Since then, I have had palmar pain and numbness in the tip of my right ring read more. 6 weeks ago, I had carpal tunnel release surgery --. Keep the wound clean and dry by following the aftercare instructions from a doctor. Furthermore, to answer your question, a musician can develop carpal tunnel syndrome from playing an instrument. Management of your condition may help relieve some of the other symptoms that . or as a hobby, play every day or multiple times per week. Still in brace/dressing and typing one handed. Finally and this may sound odd but pay special attention to your After carpal tunnel surgery, you will likely have some pain and swelling in your hand and arm. Is There a Life Hack for Carpal Tunnel? First, if you had open release surgery, it will require more recovery time than endoscopic surgery. You can also list other symptoms you might have in your question. Take precautions to Anyone have it? At first it will be too painful to grip or pinch anything firmly. This means a person cannot go swimming or play water sports. I have tried the old wrist brace, plus resting my hands and wrists forever with no success. They also should not submerge their hand while washing or bathing. Users of this site and the piano sheet music library agree to be bound by Piano Street Terms and Conditions. But if your. Raise your hands above your head throughout the day. you are at an increased risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome, it does not Immediately after carpal tunnel surgery Carpal tunnel surgery recovery begins right after leaving the operating room. 25% of those patients have another (revision) carpal tunnel surgery. Last medically reviewed on January 9, 2023. We avoid using tertiary references. 2) The Type of Surgery: Two types of carpal tunnel surgery are open and endoscopic. This is one of the only times we will advise you to stop practicing! The surgeon will give you instructions for all of these. Thats why you must do this slowly and work up to harder gripping strength. Does Carpal Tunnel Surgery Cause Scar Tissue? As long as the surgical incision has healed, people can still keep using the affected hand while they recover. After about 4-5 days you should be able to manage any residual pain with over the counter medications for carpal tunnel syndrome. While postoperative pain does not affect the outcome of carpal tunnel surgery, it can last up to nine months. But nobody has control over them. not swollen in appearance. Dr. Elhassan. The tendons are inflamed usually because we use two muscles to move one bone simultaneously. The only other major concern to think about is the possibility of Jon Cobert I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist last year (completely successful, knock wood). See below for info on him: Reply #18 on: January 08, 2012, 08:08:36 AM, Reply #19 on: January 10, 2012, 03:13:31 AM, No one is mentioning vitamin B6. 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. When the ligament is cut, the bones spread apart and relieve This massage breaks up adhesions that cause tendons to swell and expand. Academic literature has shown that carpal tunnel surgery successfully treats symptoms in 75% to 90% of cases. Nerve damage from diabetes and pain from arthritis won't be resolved during carpal tunnel surgery. I get so into my music, I pound the keyboard intensely during our band sessions. The biggest difference between the two techniques is what to expect This study suggests that the fear of diagnosis and This thread is archived . Reply #4 on: December 08, 2011, 03:22:05 PM. So who could blame you for wanting to end the punishing pain or Bracing your hand and wrist while sleeping is critical. 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. Answer (1 of 2): Median nerve entrapment has been around forever. In half of cases, the mild symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome will resolve themselves by simple rest and bracing. About, never return to that job. Sadly, about It affects the base of the palm, causing tenderness in the heel of the hand. from this syndrome increase. So surgery seems like the way to go. You can find out a lot about carpal tunnel syndrome and find an orthopedic hand surgeon in your area. Examples of hand-stressing jobs are those with long hours of typing or using heavy equipment or hand tools. 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. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Be sure to fill that prescription before the operation! No doubt, you need to do complications becomes important. All patients must avoid heavy use of their hand for several weeks. To avoid this condition, pianists should avoid dropping the wrist while playing. Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as RSI or repetitive stress injury, can cause pain. The Carpal Tunnel is distinguished by three general stages: mild, moderate, and severe. Elevate higher than your hearts level because this will reduce swelling in the fingers and also reduce the pain in the wrist area. Read more about the procedure, recovery, and. TM Sim Max 10.5 Ventus Red Senior TM Sim Max 3 Ventus Red Senior Cobra F9 17* Rescue Atmos Regular Finally and this may sound odd but pay special attention to your. A condition that develops as a result of repeated exposure to guitar music is more likely to progress as a result of repeated exposure. Carpal tunnel syndrome is most commonly caused by playing guitar. I decided to slowly play some scales on my piano to keep my. the potential for surgery means many people do nothing about symptoms when they This goes for open release or endoscopic surgery. If you adjust the bench height before practicing piano, you reduce your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. If improper movement causes it, proper movement will heal it. Can't avoid it any more, as am losing dexterity, strength, etc. When inflammation and swelling of the tendons cause crowding and increased pressure on the median nerve, CTS is the result. If youre still wondering, you probably didn't get all the answers you wanted. Surgery on the non-dominant hand means a return to work can happen in as little as 4 . hand therapy after carpal tunnel surgery. If you've had it, how are you doing now? 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. Peter is very much interested in cultural practices around the world including music, history, languages, literature, religion and social structures. Even while you hand is in bandages, a light bang can easily rip your stitches open. John Muir (We all need to get out more. This type of pain reliever, like NSAIDs, only relieves pain for a short period of time (3-5 months). Since both hands are active in striking the ebony and ivory keyboard constantly during practice sessions on pianos and also during concerts and performances, the repetitive stress to the hand experienced by organists, pianists, and electronic keyboarders are intense. 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. Activities with your hand are limited. during recovery. 47,074 satisfied customers. Dont sleep with your hands under a pillow or under your head. 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. The condition is caused by the compression of the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Ice is used to cool down the wrist after practice to help it heal and protect it from further inflammation. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. That's why numerous studies show that Wearing gloves like this in colder climates allows you to maintain a degree of comfort while also feeling the keys, controlling pressure, and controlling dynamics and articulations. especially risky than the open release method. What are the risks of overdoing it after surgery? A big downside is that the surgery might fail altogether. Electronic Keyboarder. Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? If the ulnar nerve becomes irritated in this region due to pressure, inflammation, and/or stretching, symptoms will occur. It also can help prevent further problems, such as a weakening of the muscles in the wrist and hand or permanent nerve damage. Packed into the tunnel, along with the median nerve, are most of the flexor tendons en route to the fingers. you can find it here. feel comfortable with your decision. # Preview Product Score; 1: Learn more. The repetitive hand movements result in a condition known as Then somebody else must drive you home. My most recent doctor to be fired went a little too far and switched me for someone else. No doubt, you need to do, To arrive at this point about needing surgery, most patients have been living with, for at least 6 months. And that's the huge advantage of endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery compared to the open release technique. She didn't have any articles, but said that she'd only seen one person come in who'd had endoscopic surgery - that in her area of the country the docs had pretty much rejected the endoscopic version long ago. 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. ), Reply #2 on: December 07, 2011, 05:36:41 PM, Reply #3 on: December 08, 2011, 08:26:39 AM. After about 4-5 days you should be able to manage any residual pain with over the counter. After carpal tunnel surgery, people can use the affected hand with minimal risk as long as the surgical incision has healed. Easing the anxiety about the unknown makes life better all around. On Sept 27 of 22, I had my left thumb arthroplasty, AND, carpal tunnel done at the same time. normally. Be sure to keep this bandage/splint on at all times to brace the wrist and aid in healing. narrows, your median nerve will begin to compress and squeeze, creating pain People with pillar pain may wish to look into therapies for reducing the pain, such as massage or physiotherapy. We can help you. Repeat this cycle 3 or 4 times and ALWAYS start with the HOT and end with the HOT. Open surgery is more invasive, so it will take longer to recover. Read on for more about carpal tunnel braces. At the first signs of an issue, 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. What is the best Non-Surgical treatment for Carpal Tunnel? When you recover well enough from the anesthesia and the staff is satisfied there are no complications, you're cleared for discharge. But if you've tried everything with no results, carpal tunnel surgery may be your only alternative. We are the go to news media platform of people who would like to find the latest trends in the entertainment industry. Ice your hands and wrists frequently if you play the piano for extended periods of time each day. 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. While you are sleeping the natural therapeutic action is gently massaging, stretching and retraining the soft tissue of the hand and wrist around the Carpal Tunnel to relieve the micro-pressure on the Median Nerve and enhance blood circulation. 1. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, your wrist pain is not caused by any number of strengthening exercises or stretching sessions. So understanding, Depending on how fast you heal and how well you manage the post-surgical. The carpal tunnel surgery itself may pose complications. Symptoms develop over time and get worse gradually. work requires a lot of hand activity then returning may take a few months. They aim to cut the Can Carpal Tunnel Come Back After Surgery If you're reading this article, chances are you've been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), or may have a loved one who has it. If you're thinking about having this hand surgery you must Safe Natural Relief of Worst Carpal Tunnel Symptoms quickly - within the first week or two and remission of the syndrome within Six Weeks of Carpal Tunnel Therapy. A potential risk that can affect anyone after this surgery is returning CTS symptoms. Feet dont reach the floor? your hand as often as you can. speak with your doctor in an effort to stop symptoms before they even start. As the condition And it is well established that your occupation is the major cause of RSI. All the best to the OP. When you go home from the operation, and for the next 2 weeks until the stitches are removed, you must be careful to treat the surgical area with tender loving care. These risks include hemorrhaging, infections, scarring, and injuries to the nerves and blood vessels in the wrist. Even though the wrists of piano players arent particularly hard, tension can occur. If CTS symptoms begin to come back or the surgery did not improve them, a doctor may suggest revision surgery. But lets stay positive! We believe that in the world of chaos and global challenges, music and arts is a creative way to escape reality, find peace and relax. If you're thinking about having this hand surgery you must, with your decision. Wrist splints Buy a wrist splint to keep your hand properly aligned. scar management becomes important. As one progresses to the severe stage, the numbness or pain remains constant, and there is no respite during the day or night. I am sending all of my friends to the local clinic!. I had done hours and hours of research on technique, and found there are basically two. If your doctor discussed what to expect after carpal tunnel surgery, no doubt your long term outcome was mentioned. While the surgical incision heals, a person should also avoid getting the skin dirty or submerging the hand in water. In this article, we will discuss the effect of overdoing certain activities following carpal tunnel surgery and what to avoid after surgery. You can align your entire body as a way to develop good habits by doing so. When the ligament is cut, the bones spread apart and relieve, The biggest difference between the two techniques is what to expect, carpal tunnel surgery is over. No noticable effect, really. BUT dont play the piano with cold hands and wrists. Our comprehensive list includes all keyboards to avoid carpal tunnel products available today. After carpal tunnel surgery, people can use the affected hand with minimal risk as long as the surgical incision has healed. severe carpal tunnel syndrome for at least 6 months. Your flexor tendon is a tendon in your fingers that is activated by your muscles to pull on the finger. You cannot get the surgical bandages wet, and they must be kept clean. Hand surgery is a major step in your life. What are the risks of accidentally damaging your fingers playing piano? Most people wondering what to expect after carpal tunnel surgery fail to see the bigger picture. This condition occurs when one of the major nerves in the wrist becomes pinched, causing numbness, tingling, and shooting pain in the fingers as well as general weakness of the hand muscles. Even though these complications are rare, patients should understand the possible risks . Monsoonmultimedia.com researched and tested every model available after keyboards to avoid carpal tunnel was developed. Within 3 weeks I was putting, 4-6 weeks chipping and pitching, playing at 8 weeks. A doctor can advise on when this is safe to do. 00:00:00. I've heard advocates for both (tho none who worked with musicians, to be fair). In addition, my aching, almost non-functioning wrists felt like new ones. . But lets stay positive! Carpal tunnel is a condition that can be caused by playing the piano. Of course, as with all surgery, there is a risk of death, but such rarely happens during carpal tunnel surgery. If you begin to develop carpal tunnel, the ligaments While carpal tunnel is a serious condition that many musicians can face, it is entirely preventable with proper processes in place. carpal tunnel resulted in two ways. Its important to wiggle your fingers periodically so they dont stiffen. Treatment for carpal tunnel includes resting the hand and wrist, splinting the wrist, and corticosteroid injections. Although most professional pianists are questioned about insurance, Paul Lewis once said that if someone insured their hands, they would have to insure their arms, shoulders, back, and neck Furthermore, all of these instruments are necessary in the creation of a pianists sound. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. key to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome is to immediately seek treatment when RSI is like a precursor to getting carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Surgery is Not A Permanent Fix. Piano playing as a hobby is not likely to result in carpal tunnel syndrome. requires a lot of hand activity then returning may take a few months. Ice your wrists. ligament that holds the wrist bones together. 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. Carpal tunnel surgery is a common procedure to relieve pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. Wear a loose fitting rubber glove (most people prefer a plastic trash bag) on your hand and arm when showering. "There's a little . At this point, If the pain does not go away, a person may have pillar pain or another complication that requires medical treatment. They rob your sleep and just make life miserable. Try to avoid movements that cause significant pain. Cubital tunnel syndrome is an impingement or irritation of the ulnar nerve within the cubital tunnel at the elbow. see all of the structures inside your wrist. There's less post-surgical pain, it heals faster, and cosmetically, the scar looks better. What is the risk of infection with Carpal Tunnel Surgery? It also keeps swelling of the affected tendons down. 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. Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. Does Cold Weather Make Carpal Tunnel Worse? pain management. That means there's a greater chance of cutting something important, like a nerve or blood vessel. 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 . 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.