Members Tourist Posted June 24, 2007 Members Posted June 24, 2007 I recently visitied the doctor about soreness in my hand and elbow and found out that i have cubital tunnel syndrome, which is unlike carpal tunnel syndrome which is in the hand, but the nerve in my elbow is being pinched and is restricting the nerves firing to my hand, thus my hand is constantly sore and weak. Unfortunately, being right handed, playing the guitar both flatpicking and fingerpicking only makes my hand more sore, and ultimately my fingers go numb from playing to long. So now im on a temporary hiatus from playing the guitar, wearing a brace at night, and its looking like im going to have surgery. I was wondering if anyone has, or has known someone to have cubital tunnel syndrome surgery (there are two different kinds) and if they made a full recovery or not. I am only 20 years old and my life revolves around my guitar so im definitely a little bummed out right now so i was hoping maybe someone could provide some insight or advice as to whether or not surgery has helped them with either carpal or cubital tunnel syndrome?
Members therichardsgang Posted June 25, 2007 Members Posted June 25, 2007 Sorry to hear about your elbow bro. I don't know anyone with cubital tunnel, but have two friends who have both been helped by surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.Another found prayer worked - I'm not joking, she was totally cured!
Members guit30 Posted June 25, 2007 Members Posted June 25, 2007 I have cervical stenosis which pinches off nerves from my neck and gives me radiation pain, I quit for awhile, but I found a pain management service, plus playing a more ergo friendly guitar and I'm playing again, not as much, but it's funJ
Members babablowfish Posted June 26, 2007 Members Posted June 26, 2007 I don't know what it is, but sometimes my fingers and then my whole hand will tingle and even go so completely numb that I can't play. It is pretty pretty scary.
Members Queequeg Posted June 26, 2007 Members Posted June 26, 2007 survivor here, Tourist.My onset was sudden and painless. Went to write a check one day in June year 2000 and couldn't hold the pen with my right hand. Couldn't write my name. No numbness and no pain. But I would tell my thumb to move and it would ignore me like an errant 2 year old. It pretty much ruined my right hand for guitar playing as I could barely hold onto a pick.Flew to DC. After weeks of tests et al, in July 2000 a surgeon at Georgetown Medical Center butchered me up pretty good. I returned to country (Caribbean) and waited... Within 3 months still didn't have my thumb back, plus I had lost the use of my index finger and was slowly losing the use of my middle finger. Flew back to Washington, found another surgeon at Sibley. He made no guarantees but operated in November 2000. 6 months later almost to the day, May 2001, I felt my thumb twitch for the first time in almost a year. Just a millimeter maybe. Each week, a bit more. It was another year before I was saying it was back to 95 or 100%.Today I am exclusively a fingerpicker. I'm not very good, but I can't blame it on cubital/carpal tunnel syndrome any more.
Members Queequeg Posted June 26, 2007 Members Posted June 26, 2007 I don't know what it is, but sometimes my fingers and then my whole hand will tingle and even go so completely numb that I can't play. It is pretty pretty scary. Baba, It sounds to me like you might be cutting off the circulation in your forearm probably over the edge of the guitar where the side meets the top. This could possible have long term implications. Posture change might alleviate the pressure on your arm, or that failing, try a guitar with a shallower body.
Members babablowfish Posted June 26, 2007 Members Posted June 26, 2007 Baba, It sounds to me like you might be cutting off the circulation in your forearm probably over the edge of the guitar where the side meets the top. This could possible have long term implications. Posture change might alleviate the pressure on your arm, or that failing, try a guitar with a shallower body. Thanks, but it is in my fretting (left) hand.
Members guitarophile Posted June 26, 2007 Members Posted June 26, 2007 I don't have CTS but I have a hand problem that's similar. I got one of these Dyna-Flex gyro ball exercise things and it's almost cured it. This thing will also tone your forearms and strengthen your hands in general. I swear by it. http://www.dynaflex-intl.com/flash_site/sportsgyros.html You can buy them cheaper on ebay or wherever.
Members guitarophile Posted June 26, 2007 Members Posted June 26, 2007 I don't have CTS but I have a hand problem that's similar. I got one of these Dyna-Flex gyro ball exercise things and it's almost cured it. This thing will also tone your forearms and strengthen your hands in general. I swear by it. http://www.dynaflex-intl.com/flash_site/sportsgyros.html You can buy them cheaper on ebay or wherever.
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