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Author
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Topic: fingers go numb when playin
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Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 05 April 2004 07:00 PM
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anybody else have this problem? I've had carpul tunnel surgery on my left hand, and need it on my right. my fingers go completely numb to where I can't even pick the strings I'm trying to pick.
besides surgery, does anybody know any tricks to help relieve this numbness?
I'm tryin to put off surgery as long as possible.------------------
TW Sneed
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Eddie Thomas
Member From: Macon,Ga.,USA
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posted 05 April 2004 07:15 PM
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Terry, I had the same problem and there wasn't any solution or quick fix, except to have the surgery. I tried all sorts of things to no avail. The surgery was the only solution, and I have not regretted it. Hope this helps somewhat.------------------
Eddie Thomas 82' Push-Pull 98' Legrande II 99' Legrande II, and Evans Amps. |
Lefty
Member From: Grayson, Ga.
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posted 05 April 2004 07:43 PM
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Terry,
Sorry for your problem. I had a similier condition I developed from using a keyboard at work without a keyboard pad. My wrist were resting on the desk edge, and I developed CTS. I work at a computer about 80% of each day.
I did not have surgury, but I wore a special glove with a metal brace that prohibited me from moving my wrist out of a straight position. This was worn at night, and during the day (most of the time) for 6 to 8 months.
Mine has just about gone away. I don't know if this will work for you, but it might be an option. I got my glove from the nurse at work, but you should be able to get one from an orthopedic doctor.
Good luck, I feel your pain,
Lefty |
David Higginbotham
Member From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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posted 05 April 2004 07:51 PM
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Terry, I have a friend who proceeded with the surgery on both wrists. Very good picker prior to surgery. After the surgery, he was limited to using only a thumb pick to play with. He had great difficulty learning to use his other fingers again to pick a steel. He is still fighting the battle playing steel a number years later. His primary playing now is on the bass using just his thumb.
Dave |
Lyle Bradford
Member From: Gilbert WV USA
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posted 05 April 2004 08:21 PM
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I seen on TV where they are using a laser treatment for this now and having great results with it. May want to check into it rather than think about the alternative. |
Dennis Lobdell
Member From: Freeport,Tx,USA
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posted 05 April 2004 10:47 PM
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Terry: You might try a carpal tunnel splint (avilable at most Walmart or Walgreens)at night while you sleep. They seem to help some people.Good luck, Dennis |
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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posted 06 April 2004 02:38 AM
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Also try ibuprofen gel on your wrist this helps lower the internal swelling. |
Nicholas Dedring
Member From: Brooklyn, New York, USA
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posted 06 April 2004 11:29 AM
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I had a RSI in my right thumb a while ago... the most important thing is to work on the position your hands and body are in when you play.You want to have as little back-flex on your wrists as possible while still playing easily, make sure your body is as relaxed as it can be, don't rest too hard on your forearms/wrists on the inside neck... and do the forward and reverse "praying" stretch. Most importantly, take breaks. |
Emmett Roch
Member From: Dripping Springs, Texas
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posted 06 April 2004 01:17 PM
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Terry, I had to have the surgery on my right wrist several years ago, got to where it wasn't an option. I'll never again have the strength or dexterity I once had, but with frequent excercise & stretching I can still play.Another thing is that if you smoke, quitting will help keep your wrists loose and they won't hurt as bad or as often. ------------------
___________________
GFI S-10
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David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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posted 06 April 2004 02:28 PM
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I can attest that Emmet is still a fine picker.I have numb fingers, but not from carpal tunnel, though I do have that in the right hand.
I wish it was only that. Last month another neck disc went very bad.
This is for my right thumb and pickin fingers.
I had the CAT scan friday.
Tomorrow I see the neuro surgeon in Paris who did the last disc in 2000. (left hand) I am just hoping it can be done early enough so I don't lose the whole festival season. I have played 4 jazz gigs on bass in the last week or so, but had to move to stage right so I can see my solo cues from the left side. DRAT Caderack and Offendicum.
La vie est dure. |
Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 06 April 2004 02:44 PM
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Thanks to all you guys. I have the splints, and have tried wearing them when riding my 4-wheeler(when my fingers and whole hand goes to sleep)and it didn't help at all with the numbness. I've tried wearing the splints at night when my hand was hurting, and they didn't help, but if the splint will improve my numbness over time, I'll wear that sucker ever night. I'll also try that Ibuprofen jel.
Lyle, I hadn't heard about the laser treatments. that's somethin I'm goin to look in to.
Oh, no I don't smoke Emmet.
David, sorry about your disc problems. I've had surgery on the lowest disc in my back, didn't help. I have degenerative disc disease and will probly have to have other surgerys in the future.
thanks again ya'll
Terry
Terry [This message was edited by Terry Sneed on 06 April 2004 at 02:50 PM.] |
Jim Ives
Member From: Los Angeles, California, USA
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posted 06 April 2004 02:44 PM
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Terry,
I had bilateral carpal tunnel reduction years ago, and have had no problems since then. The culprit then was windsurfing, if that matters. You should talk to the surgeon who did your first surgery, but 'round the clock NSAIDs (Ibuprofen or Motrin, Vioxx, etc) as well as an immobility splint can help reduce the symptoms and perhaps put off the surgery for a while.
However when you need surgery, you can take all the pills in the world and you will still need surgery.
The typical signs of carpal tunnel inflammation are pain or numbness in the area innervated by the radial nerve, so that includes the thumb and first 2 fingers, all the way to the middle of the fourth finger.The other side of the fourth finger and the pinky are innervatedby the ulnar nerve. Palmar numbness, tingling, weakness and ultimately loss of muscle mass in the hand are all classic signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, but by the time you develop muscle mass loss, you are overdue for surgery. Many patients experience these worse in the morning, but the symptoms can be at any time.
See a good hand surgeon (plastic, neurosugery or orthopedic) someone who has done alot of these. There is no Board Certification in hand surgery, so it would have to be someone with extensive experience in this operation who has one of the above 3 certifications.
Good luck, although luck should have nothing to do with it.
-Jim Ives, RN------------------
Mullen D-10
Boss RV3
Fulltone Full-Drive II
Evans FET 500
Sho-Bud Pro II D10
Fender Stratocaster |
Ricky Littleton
Member From: Steely-Eyed Missile Man from Orlando, Florida USA
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posted 06 April 2004 02:53 PM
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This worked for me, but may not for others:I bought 2 packs of "Silly Putty" and combined them and I work out at least 30 minutes a day (squeezing) with it. it pretty much eliminated the night numbness and numbness when I play. There's little doubt though that I'll eventually have to have the surgery, but the silly-putty-thing really did help me. Just my $0.02 worth. Ricky ------------------
Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah, PX4 Pandoras Box |
Steve Spitz
Member From: New Orleans, LA, USA
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posted 06 April 2004 06:08 PM
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I`m not a doctor, but my full-time day job is assisting a team of othopaedic surgeons in surgery. Jim makes some good points, while there may be no specific hand certification, some surgeons have done specific hand fellowships, some haven`t. Ask your surgeon how many C.T. releases he does in a year. About lasers... Tissue doesn`t know any difference between a laser or a scalpel. A cut is a cut. It`s all marketing, it sounds less invasive, but it`s not. Endoscopic is another popular technique, using a scope. Again sounds less invasive, it`s easier to sell to patients . If it`s my hand, I`d rather have full visualization of the surgery. Again, I`m not an M.D., but I do orthopaedic surgery all day. Hope my observations help, feel free to contact me If I can help. |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 06 April 2004 06:39 PM
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quote:
I have the splints, and have tried wearing them when riding my 4-wheeler...
I'm certainly no expert, but feel I have to say that that "4-wheeler" you're wrestling with (if you're referring to an ATV) probably ain't helping your problem. It may have even caused it!  |
Cody Johnson
Member From: Athens, Tennessee, USA
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posted 06 April 2004 09:01 PM
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For my fitness routine I do whats called combat fitness by a guy named Matt Furey. He also has a video out about different exercises that are supposed to help get rid of carpal tunnel. The url for the carpal tunnel video is www.carpaltunnelfix.com His functional strength fitness books/videos are great, but I'm not sure about this. I suppose it's worth a try.~Cody J.[This message was edited by Cody Johnson on 06 April 2004 at 09:04 PM.] |
Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 07 April 2004 06:18 AM
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Thanks for the advice guys. I take celebrex, which is kinda like Viox I think. but I take it for joint sorness and stiffness.but I think it does help with my CP also.I know the ATV is not helpin, but I don't ride it that much. it's not only the ATV, but anything I grip, like the steerin wheel
on my pickup, a pen, anything like that makes my hand-fingers go numb. I know I'll have to have the surgery, but it won't be by the Dr that done my first one. the surgery helped, but I hurt constantly for about 3 days after. that might be normal I don't know. but he's a young Dr,and I'd rather a more experienced Dr do surgery on my right hand, since that's my pickin hand. 
I'll have to get me some of that silly putty, or a soft ball. I think that's what my F-I-L used for exercising his hand.
thanks for the link Cody.
Terry[This message was edited by Terry Sneed on 07 April 2004 at 06:21 AM.] |
Jeff Hogsten
Member From: Flatwoods Ky USA
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posted 07 April 2004 10:56 AM
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a few years ago I had develped a severe cas of capel tunel.The fingers on my left hand especially the last two were almost numb and tring to play although I did hurt. I was getting ready to have surgery when I was at a local Pizza place that I eat at a lot and was talking to a wattress that waits on me a lot and mentioned it. She told me she had the same problem a few months before and went to a chiorpractor and he totaly cured her. I thought well anything is worth a try and I had heard a lot of bad things about chiorpractors. To make a long story short I set up an appointment with him and in a few weeks it was totaly gone. I dont know how or why but it beat the heck out of surgery. It would be worth you while I think to find a good one a go in for a consutation, it worked for me Jeff |
Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 07 April 2004 12:35 PM
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Jeff, just exactly what did the Chiorpractor do? I've never heard of this? but if it will work, it would sure beat surgery.have any of you RN's heard of Chiorpractor treatment for CP? ------------------
TW Sneed
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David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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posted 07 April 2004 04:18 PM
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My carpel tunnel was caused by a 70 foot pine tree, dead half way up, doing an accordian and sending the top 1/3 down on me up in Nh.
Broke the two outer hand bones and it was in traction for 6 weeks after.
Never was the same since. So I use the splints periodically also.Some relatively good news on the disc.
He thinks a piece of arhitus broke loose and pinched the disk pretty good, but didn't fully rupture it.
A long week of big cortizone treatment, with some Xanax to un-stress me, and a painkiller.
After easter if it ain't better, another infusion treatment like I had a few years back. And the right wrist too. Not my favorite stuff cortizone, but better than surgury and a lost playing season. if it worls right. The Dr. is also a decent jazz guitarist and loves my music, so he definitly wants me right for the long haul. |
Jeff Hogsten
Member From: Flatwoods Ky USA
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posted 07 April 2004 06:41 PM
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Terry he said I was out of alingment and had a pinched nerve that was causing the problem.It was more technical than that but he started adjusting my spine popping my back is what a lot of people would call it and my neck . Then he put electods on my wrist and put as much electric through them as I could stand. When it started I could take a lot because I was almost numb. The better I got the less I could take. I havent had anymore trouble to this day. They belive a lot in natural healing and I think they have a lot of good ideas. A lot of people disagree but I dont have any scars on my wrist or pain when I play, if it works dont knock it. YOu should be able to find someone in your area. Good luck Jeff |
Ricky Davis
Moderator From: Spring, Texas USA
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posted 07 April 2004 07:28 PM
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Jeff is correct....as my severe Carpel Tunnel was FIXED through Chiropractic care....here's what it is.
The Nerves to all of your body start in the central nervous system..and your spine alignment is very important to good nerve flow..(I'm no doctor..ha)...and the upper middle part of your spine are right where the nerves go to your wrist/hands...and of course mine was not stable at all in that area...>but I actually went because of my lower back pain I've had all my life from Gymnastics as a youngster....but as he stablalized my spine through small memory movements of my spine....my disks eventually stablalized and LOTS of problems started going away..including carpel tunnel..
Yes there are some weird Chiropracters out there...>but I happend onto a very good young one in Round Rock, Tx named Chris Handlos and he specializes IN GONSTEAD METHODOLOGY http://www.handloschiropractic.com/
So that's what happened to me....>so no more pain and extended numbness.....>just a little fatigue every now and then...but that's casue I'm constantly working with my hands and I have tendon problems from all the abuse to my joints as a youngster> and that will happen with what ever you have or don't have...>but Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is GONE in my world, thanks to the Gonstead Method.... |
Jim Ives
Member From: Los Angeles, California, USA
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posted 08 April 2004 09:41 AM
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A good chiropractor is worth his or her weight in gold. I had a pinched nerve in my neck in 1978 that was causing excrutiating pain that was refractory to conventional medicine. This was fixed after just 2 visits to a chiropractor. Those of us in medicine recommend the least invasive solutions first, but the points I was trying make in my earlier post were:
1) When you need surgery, you need surgery. In many cases dicking around with alternatives just puts off the inevitable.
2) If surgery is indicated, it's not so bad at all. I had a local anesthetic for mine, and I brought a mirror and watched. A couple of weeks later, everything was back to normal. And I have had 0 problems since.
-Jim |
Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 09 April 2004 02:14 PM
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Hmmm, we have 2 real good chriopracters in EL Dorado. I've been to both with my back, which neither did any good. but I guess it just don't work for degenerative disc disease.
Jim, I've been told by the Dr that done my first surgery, that surgery was the only thing for me. but like I said earlier, I really don't care for this Dr. I think I'll do some searchin before I decide on a CP surgern this time.
I might even go see one of our local Chiropracters first.
Terry
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TW Sneed
[This message was edited by Terry Sneed on 09 April 2004 at 02:24 PM.]
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David Alexander
Member From: Mead, Oklahoma, USA
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posted 09 April 2004 07:13 PM
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Steve mentioned the endoscopic surgery which uses the laser technique. I had this procedure done on both wrists a little over 2 years ago and have had very little trouble since. I still take Vioxx daily for other ailments but have had no further problems with my wrists. I had one done and then the other appx. a month later. He made a small incision in the wrist with 3 stitches and I had to wear a half splint for 10 days. Very minimal pain. |
BDBassett
Member From: Rimrock AZ
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posted 10 April 2004 12:56 PM
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During the one and only 'sit-down' gig I ever had, I developed a numbness in my right hand while pickin'. Playing 4 hours a night, 6 nights a week for a year and a half, I fell into some pretty bad habits. One such habit was to rest my wrist too heavely on the pad of my single//double steel guitar. I went to see a Dr. about it and the opinion was just to change position of my wrist and it should clear up. He likened it to a syndrome noted in the 50s and 60 when little import sports cars were becoming popular. It seems the little MGs and Austin Healeys didn't allow much room for the drivers legs. Often the lower right leg was pressed up against the transmission hump in such a way as to cause numbness in the foot. It became known as Sport Car Palsey. So, before surgery, strong medicine or alternative treatments...try changing positions a little. BD |
Richard Sinkler
Member From: Fremont, California
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posted 10 April 2004 02:11 PM
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Last November, I had surgery for CTS, tendonitis and a pinched ulnar nerve that was causing numbness and severe pain in my right hand. My CTS was discovered during testing for nerve and muscle damage from the ulnar nerve and tendon damage. I had no idea I had it because I really didn't feel the symptoms because of the other pain. When the Dr. suggested surgery (never been cut open before and was really traumatized at the thought) I did about a month of extensive research about these ailments. I sought a second opinion (actually my worker's comp insurance requested I do, but I could pick a Doctor), and this doc also suggested the surgery. I told my original doc to go ahead and schedule me. I am glad I did it. The one thing I did learn in my research was, that if you wait too long, surgery may be the only answer. I attended a seminar at a local university medical center on CTS, and they did touch on the alternative methods of treatment. But, they said it usually only helps in the early stages of CTS and if you continue the things that are causing your problem, surgery will probably be needed at some point in the future.As far as the laser surgery, you will need to check with your insurance company to see if they cover it. Some don't. And lastly, my doc prescribed a newer drug called BEXTRA for the pain and inflamation. It really works better on me than Celebrex, Vioxx, Lodine and other similar drugs (which actually had no effect on me). You can find out more about BEXTRA at http://www.bextra.com
Talk to your doc about it. |
David Morgan
Member From: Encinitas,CA,USA
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posted 12 April 2004 07:54 PM
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Definitely check with a reputable chiropractor before surgery. I have been treated by one for over 25 years starting that long ago when I felt some numbness in my fingers while playing steel for a living. It was related to spinal issues which respond well to regular (once month) treatment (in my case). |
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