Damage to Ulnar Nerve...Practice?

[phaneo]

I took a big hit to my "funny bone" or Ulnar nerve last weekend at work and ever since my fourth and fifth fingers on my left (fretting) hand have been numb and tingling like they are asleep. I went to the doctor and he said to take a ton of advil and come back if it doesn't get better. Anyway my dilemma is this. I have two pick up gigs next weekend with two bands that I have never played with. One on EB and one on DB. I haven't practiced all week trying to let it heal but this morning I picked up the bass and it's not feeling so good. Granted I "can" play but it's a strange sensation and I'm scared to do further damage to the nerve. Oh yeah I also have a very physical job so I had no time to let it heal up this week due to a major work load. What would you guys do about the gigs? I realize I have one more week to heal but I'm getting a little nervous that I won't be able to put in the practice time required to pull off both gigs.


Mods please move if in wrong forum

Thanks

[fearceol]

I'd say let the other bands know your situation, while there is still time to find a replacement. I am not an expert, but resting, and allowing time to heal would be best IMO. Your doctor would be the best person to advise you though.

[jenderfazz]

that's really bad luck. i would imagine an electric bass gig next week could be fine, but double bass is more physically demanding (for both fingers and arms), and it's not really possible to cheat and only use your "good" fingers.

i had (what i believe to be) ulnar nerve compression a few weeks ago which i think was linked to weightlifting, and i had the same feelings of numbness in my ring and pinky fingers, though not very severely. it went away by itself in no time. but since this isn't your band, you should probably call them and skip the gig, just in case you don't recover fast enough.

[TFunkadelic]

Originally Posted by phaneo

What would you guys do about the gigs? I realize I have one more week to heal but I'm getting a little nervous that I won't be able to put in the practice time required to pull off both gigs.


Mods please move if in wrong forum

Thanks

DO NOT PLAY THE GIGS AND DO NOT PRACTICE ANY TIME SOON


I had ulnar nerve issues for awhile related to excessive playing and other activities (a lot of biking). I had your symptoms to start, tingling and numbness in the 4th and 5th fingers of my fretting hand, but I could still manage to play and figured I'd just rough it out until I had a chance to take an extended break and let it heal.

In the middle of a rehearsal one night, I suddenly lost almost ALL feeling in my left hand and I could barely move my fingers. It went from mild irritation and limitation to handicapped within minutes.

Following that, I had several months of physical therapy and I basically had to relearn how to play the bass from a physical standpoint. I couldn't play in any practical capacity for about three months.


These types of injuries require rest and time to heal and irritation greatly slows the healing process, and can ultimately lead to permanent damage. Get subs for your gigs and rest until it feels normal again. If you try to play through it you're only asking for more trouble.

[phaneo]

Thanks. Just broke the news to both bands. I wonder how my boss will take it when I say I need to let my arm heal...

[TFunkadelic]

Originally Posted by phaneo

Thanks. Just broke the news to both bands. I wonder how my boss will take it when I say I need to let my arm heal...

Good luck man.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by phaneo

Thanks. Just broke the news to both bands. I wonder how my boss will take it when I say I need to let my arm heal...

Workman's comp? You really should take it easy for awhile.

[phaneo]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Workman's comp? You really should take it easy for awhile.

Workman's Comp are two very scary words to a small business owner. If I can't do the physical part there's not much else for me to do. I worked 72 hours last week with this injury, I'm sure that's one major factor in persistence.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by phaneo

Workman's Comp are two very scary words to a small business owner.

Only if your employer doesn't have coverage, which they are required by law to have. Obviously, if you don't let it heal it could get ugly. I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery.

[Papazita]

Yeah, do everything you can to help heal and nothing to make it worse. Take a break from playing if you have to.

My ulnar nerve took a good zap from an electric shock a few years ago; completely melted away the protective sheathing that covers the nerve where it passes through the elbow and wrist.
3 years and 2 surgeries later and I still have little feeling left in parts of my left hand and arm. Any fretting with my ring and little fingers is purely muscle memory; I can barely feel the strings under those two fingers!
Every once in a while, my little finger will twich uncontrolably; or the nerves will misfire, cramping up the muscles and trying to pull my fingers in directions that they were never meant to go. Just about every day, my left arm from the elbow down aches like a mf. The only good news I have about mine, is the doc says it "probably" won't get worse. No Bob Dole hand for me!

[HEADLE]

I have ulner nerve damage in both arms. The left is worse than the right. I've had it about two years and have learned to play with it. Not sure what caused it originally but, mine is complicated by diabetes and it's likely to never go away. I can play just fine but watch my hands alot because I can barely feel the strings with my fretting hand. take it easy if your doc says it's likely to get better, it pretty much sucks if your stuck with it!

H