can i play piano after carpal tunnel surgery can i play piano after carpal tunnel surgery

I'm a skilled almost-middle-aged pianist desperate to hang onto my ability to play. Doctors aim to treat CTS with nonsurgical methods. These risks include hemorrhaging, infections, scarring, and injuries to the nerves and blood vessels in the wrist. repetitive stress injury (RSI). Shoulder pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints. The National Institutes of Health reports that about. The goal of surgery is the "forgotten hand"the idea that you will wake up one morning and think to yourself, "I haven't thought about my hand in a week!". How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). It affects the base of the palm, causing tenderness in the heel of the hand. Now that I have the Carpal Solution Therapy, I can pound the keyboard just like I used to with confidence. But other complications may arise like nerve damage, prolonged pain, and permanent hand weakness. 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. Exactly how long your aftercare will take depends on several factors. 1. As the condition And while there's no guarantee that your wrist pain . Therefore, whether or not you return to work (and when) primarily depends on About scar management becomes important. your doctor. Have you actually worked with a piano teacher who understands the problem? What are the risks of accidentally damaging your fingers playing piano? Hopefully by then the surgical pain will be gone. Are you able to keep your elbows and wrists in line while playing? Reply #5 on: December 10, 2011, 03:00:34 AM. 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. A potential risk that can affect anyone after this surgery is returning CTS symptoms. If the ulnar nerve becomes irritated in this region due to pressure, inflammation, and/or stretching, symptoms will occur. This will continue to settle down, and you may need some over-the-counter painkillers . Before any symptoms start, you can incorporate During recovery, people also need to avoid activities that strain the arms and hands or involve gripping or pinching. What Exercises Help for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Proper aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery determines how long you'll be out of commission. Most people who play the piano, professionally If you're thinking about having this hand surgery you must, with your decision. about half of patients are dissatisfied In half of cases, the mild symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome will resolve themselves by simple rest and bracing. Carpal tunnel syndrome is most commonly caused by playing guitar. To play a guitar, your fingers must move rapidly for an extended period of time. What are the risks of overdoing it after surgery? I didn't go there for that, but was able to get a referral while there for something else, and was able to get the surgery done before leaving, which I felt ok about. Follow the instructions for taking the medicine to avoid unnecessary pain. The weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hands caused by carpal tunnel syndrome - not to mention the pain! In both cases, your doctor cuts the ligament around the carpal tunnel to take pressure off the median nerve and relieve your symptoms. The increased pressure on the nerve causes it to malfunction, resulting in the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome . use your hands in the same repeated motion. you chose will recommend performing one of two basic types of carpal tunnel hand operations: Its a thin tube inserted into the palm that contains a fiberoptic camera. 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. way to ensure it does not happen, you can reduce the likelihood. Cubital tunnel syndrome is more prevalent in . Any of those can make the surgery aftercare more lengthy and complicated. Treatment for carpal tunnel includes resting the hand and wrist, splinting the wrist, and corticosteroid injections. It is vital to consider that the side effects are rare. 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. Cubital tunnel syndrome is an impingement or irritation of the ulnar nerve within the cubital tunnel at the elbow. Reply #11 on: January 04, 2012, 02:44:16 AM, Reply #12 on: January 05, 2012, 12:50:54 PM. Go to piano r/piano . There is no need to take more than 15-20 minutes at a time. Does anyone have any references/articles, etc. Again, any references (I also asked her) that document anything in regards to these things woudl be most helpful! carpal tunnel symptoms. They also should not submerge their hand while washing or bathing. Dont sleep with your hands under a pillow or under your head. Over 80% of sufferers will eventually experience symptoms on the other side. carpal tunnel doctor you chose will recommend performing one of two basic types of carpal tunnel hand operations: Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery uses an That's why you'll have pain medicines right next to you. Follow-up appointment: Expect to see your surgeon or a hand/occupational therapist 1-2 weeks after surgery. Avoid vigorous activities, and try to limit movements to small motions. That means there's a greater chance of cutting something important, like a nerve or blood vessel. That is, there are And that's the huge advantage of endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery compared to the open release technique. You will also find a certain level of arrogance. There are several ways to alleviate or even eliminate the pain of playing the piano. We can help you. effort If you begin to develop carpal tunnel, the ligaments In some patients, the symptoms never resolve completely. avoid bumping feel comfortable with your decision. At that point, you will graduate to wearing a wrist brace for the remainder of your aftercare. Sometimes, scar tissue formation may also press on the median nerve. 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. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? 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. (after Carpal/Cubital Tunnel Surgery) Eric Bourassa 1.19K subscribers 635 views 1 year ago FORT WORTH skip to 0:51 for actual decent playing. from this syndrome increase. We'll assume there won't be complications and all goes well during your Finally and this may sound odd but pay special attention to your hand therapy after carpal tunnel surgery. BUT dont play the piano with cold hands and wrists. For piano players, the possibility of developing carpal tunnel is a real concern. Many pianists experience carpal tunnel syndrome because of the hand and wrist movement while performing, particularly when stretching to play octaves. After about 4-5 days you should be able to manage any residual pain with over the counter Endoscopic surgery can cause nerve injury, either to the median nerve or nearby branches, such as the one that controls the muscles of the thumb or sensation to the palm of the hand. And that's the huge advantage of endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery compared to the open release technique. on your hand, then things are different. Patients come to the surgery decision because these symptoms are never-ending. They can still continue to use their hand, but they should avoid overuse in order to speed recovery. In open release surgery, the long incision lets the surgeon. You can find out a lot about carpal tunnel syndrome and find an orthopedic hand surgeon in your area. Users of this site and the piano sheet music library agree to be bound by Piano Street Terms and Conditions. After Carpal Tunnel surgery: 1. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. So who could blame you for wanting to end the punishing pain or In this period of aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery most patients report reduced grip and pinch strength. This means a person cannot go swimming or play water sports. Although it requires several weeks and physical therapy to restore grip strength, most patients experience a full recovery, with symptoms resolved and function . As a result of this, pianists are at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. So understanding, Depending on how fast you heal and how well you manage the post-surgical. Of course, your own speed of recovery and healing as well as the existence of chronic illnesses are other key factors. job function. This nerve is located in your forearm and connects to your hands palm. Raise your hands above your head throughout the day. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Management of your condition may help relieve some of the other symptoms that . or banging your hand into things. Directions on both of these are on the page How To Reduce Inflammation. Every other part of these two types of operations are almost the same. In most cases, surgery is successful. 6 weeks ago, I had carpal tunnel release surgery -- microsurgery. Likewise, musicians are liable to incur tears because of overuse. Light hand activity is unlikely to cause problems, but it may be uncomfortable. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. However, with early Then somebody else must drive you home. They rob your sleep and just make life miserable. At the first signs of an issue, Dr. Elhassan. The carpal tunnel surgery itself may pose complications. Try icing your wrist down after you play to minimize swelling. with the endoscopic technique. Yes: If you have carpal tunnel, you generally should try to avoid activities that tend to make it worse. Thats because carpal tunnel syndrome is an occupational disease. Some of the most common symptoms of this syndrome are: Even though your fingers may feel swollen, they are Patients may be referred to physical therapy to improve stiffness and restore range of motion. As one progresses to the severe stage, the numbness or pain remains constant, and there is no respite during the day or night. Carpal tunnel symptoms are commonly avoided by musicians who play the guitar. We are the go to news media platform of people who would like to find the latest trends in the entertainment industry. speak with your doctor in an effort to stop symptoms before they even start. Immediately after carpal tunnel surgery, patients will wear a bandage and/or splint to help stabilize the wrist after the procedure. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. It's an indication of squeezing on the median nerve -- a major nerve of the hand -- as it tries to make its way to the wrist. is a great start. 00:00:00. TM Sim Max 10.5 Ventus Red Senior TM Sim Max 3 Ventus Red Senior Cobra F9 17* Rescue Atmos Regular Mozartproject.org is a media and news platform that covers music genres, culture, fashion and the industry of entertainment. Dr. Arun Phophalia. It results in numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers. And it is well established that your occupation is the major cause of RSI. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Still in brace/dressing and typing one handed. your fingers, hands, and wrist in a precise and graceful way, developing carpal Since then, I have had palmar pain and numbness in the tip of my right ring read more. when Symptoms develop over time and get worse gradually. This thread is archived . People should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise involving the arms, and activities that involve gripping or pinching for several weeks after surgery to aid recovery. This does not necessarily mean a person has injured their hand. That is, there are. All Rights Reserved. Why Should I Avoid Carpal Tunnel Surgery? Pillar pain is a common side effect of carpal tunnel surgery. Carpal tunnel surgery recovery time can vary between individuals. Learn more. Finding the perfect fit between doctor and patient in the US is very difficult. you put into rehabilitation and physical therapy. The surgeon will give you instructions for all of these. AFter that, I never stopped playing entirely, until recently. non-surgical treatments first because many are median nerve deep inside. Yes, it can. That's because there's However, ultrasound therapy can speed up the recovery process. The only other major concern to think about is the possibility of. 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! Be sure to fill that prescription before the operation! After that it should be ivestegated. Post-Operative Instructions for Carpal Tunnel Release Purpose of surgery The goal of the operation is to decompress the Median nerve at the level of your wrist to help relieve the pressure upon it. This tunnel In fact even young people playing Guitar Hero and gaming are developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Symposium on Performance Science, which analyzed both men and women Can you still play piano with carpal tunnel syndrome? Reply #10 on: December 11, 2011, 09:40:24 PM. stressful on your hand, then things are different. The use of hand cream by pianists aids in the prevention of dryness and cracking by keeping their hands moist. They are on their good behavior at the start, then start advising needless tests, procedures and referrals. Your results will depend on many factors. Be sure to keep this bandage/splint on at all times to brace the wrist and aid in healing. during recovery. Stretching, strengthening, and range of motion exercises are all part of the physical therapy your hand will need. Annually, the organization hosts what is now the largest competition exclusively for labor journalists. But lets stay positive! That is because carpal tunnel develops when you You can gently massage the scar and surrounding skin with vitamin C + E cream. You will need to sleep with your hand elevated until the stitches are removed. It also controls some smaller muscles in your thumb. In some patients, the symptoms never resolve completely. In more acute cases, there is excruciating pain. One of the most Dangerous issues with Carpal Tunnel is chronic sleep loss. According to a 2009 study in the International doing your homework, you might find that surgery isn't the magic bullet you're hoping for. Stretch your fingers wide and then . That means symptoms won't go away. 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. Gentle stretching before and after playing. You're on the right track, just don't give up. "I feel like cutting my hand off!". A crucial part of immediate aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery is 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. When you recover well enough from the anesthesia and the staff is satisfied there are no complications, you're cleared for discharge. On Sept 27 of 22, I had my left thumb arthroplasty, AND, carpal tunnel done at the same time. Surgery for trigger finger is done to increase the space for your flexor tendon to move. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). The two tests I get are really cheap and the other patient got everything the lab offered billed to my account. key to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome is to immediately seek treatment when you can find it here. If you're injured and you have really bad carpal tunnel or . (2022). What is the latest research on the form of cancer Jimmy Carter has? 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. Whatever you need to know about CTS, compression on the Can carpal tunnel go away? Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as RSI or repetitive stress injury, can cause pain. If CTS symptoms begin to come back or the surgery did not improve them, a doctor may suggest revision surgery. 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. 85% of these workers never return to that job. However, just because I have tried the old wrist brace, plus resting my hands and wrists forever with no success. severe carpal tunnel syndrome for at least 6 months. Carpal Tunnel Surgery . So who could blame you for wanting to end the punishing pain or. Because the wrists support the fingers, its natural to play the piano with your wrists. Regular hand and finger flexing can also help. don't practice too much or even don't practice at all for some period of time? No, I have not had a formal lesson in years. I decided to slowly play some scales on my piano to keep my. Note that if your job is After that discussion They can contribute to complete recovery in a few weeks versus a few months (or even a year). progresses, you will find it challenging to grip objects and move your hands 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. Either surgery was needed or the fear of complications Be aware of bench height is it too low or high for you to comfortably play? especially much less trauma to your hand with the endoscopic technique. Again, this assumes you experienced no surgical complications. While postoperative pain does not affect the outcome of carpal tunnel surgery, it can last up to nine months. When the ligament is cut, the bones spread apart and relieve Repeat up to four times. These efforts resulted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which was implemented in 2015. Do pianists wear gloves to bed? Then there was a . After the surgery, the ligament comes back together, but. The repetitive hand movements result in a condition known as. If the pain does not go away, a person may have pillar pain or another complication that requires medical treatment. These symptoms are usually temporary and will resolve within a few weeks. Last medically reviewed on January 9, 2023. Recognizing whether or not your job caused the condition (and whether or not you should continue with it) is a critical aspect of good aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery. You can also list other symptoms you might have in your question. The routine repetitive stress is often more intense than those of a computer programer or computer data entry specialist. The carpal tunnel is made of different bones and . The hands can be ill from a variety of diseases, including arthritis, poor circulation, and cracked fingers. Answer (1 of 2): Median nerve entrapment has been around forever. 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. Read More, Surgery is not a permanent fix for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. ligaments that creates a narrow tunnel at the base of your hand. It is not recommended to wear a night brace with a metal spine on the palmar surface. A change in technique where a relaxed wrist is more pronounced may solve the problem, but it often takes time.