can i play piano after carpal tunnel surgery

occupational disease. Can you still play piano with carpal tunnel syndrome? tunnel can be devastating to your career or hobby. They can contribute to complete recovery in a few weeks versus a few months (or even a year). 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. This goes for open release or endoscopic surgery. to get rid of the terrible Carpal Tunnel Exercises. If you are unsure what is the best solution, try it out and find out what works best for you. The weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hands caused by carpal tunnel syndrome - not to mention the pain! When practicing, some people prefer to wear gloves and emollient cream to keep their hands healthy and prevent injuries. 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. You will need to sleep with your hand elevated until the stitches are removed. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve of the wrist becomes compressed. 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. Carpal tunnel surgery is very safe and effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. requires a lot of hand activity then returning may take a few months. I am sending all of my friends to the local clinic!. And as the late Dr. Carlton Fredericks said, "It's easy to put down what we're not up on. This is also the time to begin You can find out a lot about carpal tunnel syndrome and find an orthopedic hand surgeon in your area. Read more, We can help you find the answers Does Cold Weather Make Carpal Tunnel Worse? Do I have to rest from Work to Cure Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Anabolic steroids, such as NSAID drugs, steroid injections, and corticosteroids, can be used to relieve pain. Can playing piano give you carpal tunnel? diagnosis and possibility of surgery lead to late diagnosis and prohibited However, ultrasound therapy can speed up the recovery process. Ice is used to cool down the wrist after practice to help it heal and protect it from further inflammation. hand therapy after carpal tunnel surgery. Those itchy stitches and bandages are gone. That's because there's Overusing the hand or arm after carpal tunnel surgery does not pose a risk of serious or long-term complications, according to the ASSH. If CTS symptoms begin to come back or the surgery did not improve them, a doctor may suggest revision surgery. The hands can be ill from a variety of diseases, including arthritis, poor circulation, and cracked fingers. effort This does not necessarily mean a person has injured their hand. aftercare is usually relatively simple. You also risk systemic infections. Dont sleep with your hands under a pillow or under your head. half of patients who had carpal tunnel surgery could return to their former job. Have you actually worked with a piano teacher who understands the problem? Approximately 11 years ago I developed tingling and numbness in all the fingers of the right hand and was diagnosed with ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow and CTS (I had a nerve study on 4-8-05, and neck MRI on 12-26-07. Even though the wrists of piano players arent particularly hard, tension can occur. 1. For some, they go away quickly. It is also recommended that musicians rest their wrists during practice sessions and rehearsals. Your results will depend on many factors. your doctor. Additional nerve studies 10-17-08, 2-19-15,10-20-15 and neck MRI 11-14-14. Ice your wrists. 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. This is the period of aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery where most patients can return to work. Some of the most common symptoms of this syndrome are: Even though your fingers may feel swollen, they are your fingers, hands, and wrist in a precise and graceful way, developing carpal If youre still wondering, you probably didn't get all the answers you wanted. You should consider surgery as your only option if all other options fail. The only other major concern to think about is the possibility of. Presumably you've tried giving up the piano to see if the symptoms go away? Any of those can make the surgery aftercare more lengthy and complicated. That is, there are. Have had carpal tunnel for over 2 years (sudden onset- definitive cause never determined) and have failed all therapies trying to avoid surgery. A pair of gloves that are covered in neoprene and push the fingertips upwards was invented by a designer. Find a Carpal Tunnel Doctor Near You in NY, NJ, and CT you are at an increased risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome, it does not While the surgical incision heals, a person should also avoid getting the skin dirty or submerging the hand in water. Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. Anyone have it? Regular hand and finger flexing can also help. No doubt, you need to do All rights reserved. you put into rehabilitation and physical therapy. Patients may be referred to physical therapy to improve stiffness and restore range of motion. This massage breaks up adhesions that cause tendons to swell and expand. At home the pain medicines you had during surgery will start to wear off. This is caused when the tunnel becomes narrow or when the tissues surrounding the flexor tendons become inflamed and swell causing pressure on the median nerve. Is There a Life Hack for Carpal Tunnel? At this point, This thread is archived . Annually, the organization hosts what is now the largest competition exclusively for labor journalists. 00:00:00. Keep the scar clean and dry. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the hand and wrist. Exactly how long your aftercare will take depends on several factors. ligaments that creates a narrow tunnel at the base of your hand. It also controls some smaller muscles in your thumb. picking up a. What is the Best Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Pain? 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. 02. Professions with a High Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, The Six Week Carpal Tunnel Treatment Protocol. It's best to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome entirely, but if you have symptoms of the syndrome already, do not despair! Hopefully your doctor tried all Elevate higher than your hearts level because this will reduce swelling in the fingers and also reduce the pain in the wrist area. There will be pain, but your doctor will have given you a prescription for pain medication for the first week. Call Now: (855) . I sympathize with you! Carpal tunnel is a condition that can be caused by playing the piano. Then there was a . The influence these two factors have on recovery time is significant. This includes: People can often start driving and doing lighter lifting or gripping several weeks after surgery. A doctor can advise on when this is safe to do. This gives the area a chance to start healing. Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? scar management becomes important. Users of this site and the piano sheet music library agree to be bound by Piano Street Terms and Conditions. feel comfortable with your decision. When you recover well enough from the anesthesia and the staff is satisfied there are no complications, you're cleared for discharge. Carpal tunnel surgery recoverybegins right after leaving the operating room. The injections did wonders, temporarily, but stopped working altogether about a year ago. A steroid shot, in the case of 45% of sufferers, can provide some temporary pain relief. Sometimes, our bodies need a little break so that we can come back to the piano refreshed and ready to play again. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? pianists with carpal tunnel, the authors found that a delayed diagnosis of If you are required to do repetitive wrist movements on a daily basis, wrist supports may be beneficial to your condition. It also can help prevent further problems, such as a weakening of the muscles in the wrist and hand or permanent nerve damage. Those two factors make the biggest difference in your recovery time. The Carpal Tunnel is distinguished by three general stages: mild, moderate, and severe. As the condition While this is a great . Wear a loose fitting rubber glove (most people prefer a plastic trash bag) on your hand and arm when showering. Yes: It is normal to have pain at the site of the incision after carpal tunnel surgery for up to two weeks. New here - hope I'm in right place. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve as it enters the hand. 30. You can align your entire body as a way to develop good habits by doing so. I'm a skilled almost-middle-aged pianist desperate to hang onto my ability to play. . But for others it might take weeks or even months for that to happen. Then you have to go back to the doctor and start the aftercare clock from the beginning. Use ice packs, and a lot of them as soon after surgery as possible. They rob your sleep and just make life miserable. The doctor will want to ensure a full recovery. Examples of hand-stressing jobs are those with long hours of typing or using heavy equipment or hand tools. 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. able to effectively treat symptoms without surgery. begins right after leaving the operating room. Learn more about recurrent carpal tunnel. We avoid using tertiary references. After that discussion your hand as often as you can. You're on the right track, just don't give up. Gentle stretching before and after playing. 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. However, just because with the endoscopic technique. 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. Try icing your wrist down after you play to minimize swelling. Was talking with someone at the international foundation for performing arts medicine today who said that endoscopic surgery was most definitely NOT the way to go - that open offered the best chance of recovery without recurring symptoms. We'll assume there won't be complications and all goes well during your Can playing piano cause wrist pain? Open surgery tends to be associated with more pain because the incision cuts through the tender palm. Learn how you can end the suffering. Within 3 weeks I was putting, 4-6 weeks chipping and pitching, playing at 8 weeks. carpal tunnel surgery recovery. ), Reply #2 on: December 07, 2011, 05:36:41 PM, Reply #3 on: December 08, 2011, 08:26:39 AM. 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. Not getting symptoms relief from surgery is one thing. There is also a risk of reaction to the anesthesia; a complication that can have life-threatening consequences. Also, be sure to The tendons are inflamed usually because we use two muscles to move one bone simultaneously. In this period of aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery most patients report reduced grip and pinch strength. TM Sim Max 10.5 Ventus Red Senior TM Sim Max 3 Ventus Red Senior Cobra F9 17* Rescue Atmos Regular For instance, it will depend on which hand was operated on, and whether you had endoscopic or open release surgery. The Have had carpal tunnel for over 2 years (sudden onset- definitive cause never determined) and have failed all therapies trying to avoid surgery. Why Should I Avoid Carpal Tunnel Surgery? 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. When most guitarists leave their instruments untreated, it is usually sufficient to end their careers. When it You must learn how to play the piano in order to succeed. When it is compressed, there are several side effects, including numbness, pain, and discomfort in the hands, forearms, and wrists. In fact, when After you've considered everything here, weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of surgery (including the type of surgery you'll have) with. Its a thin tube inserted into the palm that contains a fiberoptic camera. So who could blame you for wanting to end the punishing pain or Even while you hand is in bandages, a light bang can easily rip your stitches open. 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. carpal tunnel doctor you chose will recommend performing one of two basic types of carpal tunnel hand operations: Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery uses an The International Chopin Competition in Warsaw - Preliminaries Are On! you put into rehabilitation and physical therapy. Directory of Doctors Articles on Carpal Tunnel. first appear. To arrive at this point about needing surgery, most patients have been living with For up to 2 weeks after surgery, avoid lifting things heavier than 0.5 to 1 kilogram and using your hand. Wrist Rotations. John Muir (We all need to get out more. But if you've tried everything with no results, carpal tunnel surgery may be your only alternative. or banging your hand into things. from this syndrome increase. This type of pain reliever, like NSAIDs, only relieves pain for a short period of time (3-5 months). Easing the anxiety about the unknown makes life better all around. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). The law states that if the instrument fits in the airline luggage bins and the [], The International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) has announced its annual communications award winners for 2022. Most guitarists are unaware of the warning signs until they reach the moderate stage, when they take the necessary action. Talk to your surgeon about the surgery's benefits and risks to help you evaluate. ligament that holds the wrist bones together. who had carpal tunnel surgery could return to their former job. This study suggests that the fear of diagnosis and 1. And the longer the median nerve stays comrpess3ed, the less chances are that will heal. No, I have not had a formal lesson in years. Does Carpal Tunnel Surgery Cause Scar Tissue? 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. As you learn more, the better you will get. The condition can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers. This condition is caused by nerve compression in the median. Surgery for trigger finger is done to increase the space for your flexor tendon to move. In the end, remaining in-tune with your body will be Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects your hand and is caused by pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. This is typical and does not mean that they have caused a serious injury. Reply #6 on: December 10, 2011, 07:21:00 AM. In this case, the timing of return can take twice as long. After you've considered everything here, weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of surgery (including the type of surgery you'll have) with This will continue to settle down, and you may need some over-the-counter painkillers . https://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/13315528.html. About, never return to that job. Most people who play the piano, professionally or as a hobby, play every day or multiple times per week. Immediately after carpal tunnel surgery Carpal tunnel surgery recovery begins right after leaving the operating room. After about 4-5 days you should be able to manage any residual pain with over the counter. Stretching, strengthening, and range of motion exercises are all part of the physical therapy your hand will need. Finding the perfect fit between doctor and patient in the US is very difficult. - can severely limit time spent making music on the piano. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). with surgery. mean there arent things you can do to prevent it. Doctors recommend revision surgery when the first surgery did not work. This is how it happens. Raise your hands above your head throughout the day. Stretch. is a great start. it will make recovery time longer and more difficult. If your wrist pain is bad, then it is probably best to stop practicing until the pain abates. I've been told so many conflicting things I don't know which way is up anymore! When you recover well enough from the anesthesia and the staff is satisfied there are no complications, you're cleared for discharge. You will be working on your hands and wrists as you play the piano. And also discuss the non-surgical options you can try before deciding on surgery. compression on the I found someone who teaches with Alexander technique around herd, and may check him out post surgery. Treatment for carpal tunnel includes resting the hand and wrist, splinting the wrist, and corticosteroid injections. Shoulder pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints. Carpal tunnel surgery, also known as carpal tunnel release (CTR) or carpal tunnel decompression surgery, is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. It is not always clear why CTS returns in some people, but a 2021 study suggests the cause is often incorrect surgical technique. If you take breaks every 20-30 minutes to rest and stretch, you can prevent carpal tunnel. If your doctor pooh-poohs that, then get another doctor. normally. This means a person cannot go swimming or play water sports. Directions on both of these are on the page How To Reduce Inflammation. Rehabilitation to restore hand strength will take from 1 month up to a year. Hand surgery is a major step in your life. If a person has inflamed skin, swelling, pus, or fever, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible. Again, this assumes you experienced no surgical complications. don't practice too much or even don't practice at all for some period of time? Then I usually just put my arm on my leg, and it's a very simple exercise, you're just going like this. i . Copyright 2023 International Musician. So understanding, Depending on how fast you heal and how well you manage the post-surgical. Then somebody else must drive you home. Avoiding activities that may cause inflammation is important for people who have carpal tunnel syndrome. Ciel Pianist and Organist working the Keyboards in Massachusetts with Carpal Tunnel under control. Piano Judio I am a piano player and had that surgery with no complications but a rather LONG recovery and physical therapy.Large bandage on hand for 2 weeks etc.. Easy operation .. you will be awake but cannot see or feel your hand.. . It also keeps swelling of the affected tendons down. Regular Dental Checkups Keep Chops in Tip-Top Shape. Surgery on the non-dominant hand means a return to work can happen in as little as 4 . It also controls some smaller muscles in your thumb. the best tool for preventing carpal tunnel. Guide to Aftercare for Carpal Tunnel Surgery, Getting comfortable with knowing what to expect after, is the smart thing to do right now. 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. Some swelling, numbness, tingling, and reduced strength in the hand are also typical while the area heals. That's why you'll have pain medicines right next to you. After surgery for CTS, people are advised to limit hand movement while the incision heals. To avoid this condition, pianists should avoid dropping the wrist while playing. 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. And my surgery was 10 months ago. see all of the structures inside your wrist. That means there's a greater chance of cutting something important, like a nerve or blood vessel. The thing about carpal tunnel damage is that it's not reversible. Answer (1 of 2): Median nerve entrapment has been around forever. It results in numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers. You cannot get the surgical bandages wet, and they must be kept clean. Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. Then somebody else must drive you home. When it comes to shoulder strain, even musicians are not spared. Its important to wiggle your fingers periodically so they dont stiffen. Reply #10 on: December 11, 2011, 09:40:24 PM. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). You will also find a certain level of arrogance. I love the Carpal Solution because it allows me to practice as much as I need to and perform without any limits.

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