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recovery time for Carpal Tunnel surgery
- Thread starter five7
- Start date
This seems like it's a conversation you should be having with your surgeon and specialist(s).
Did they give you a quick PT class and some handouts detailing your daily workout routine to use while recovering? If not you need to ask your doctor.
When I had surgery for entrapped nerves in my left wrist and elbow, i was given a PT class and handouts and told to do it for six weeks then come back and see the lady who cut on me. I asked her when I could start back playing and she said do the therapy and she’d let me know when I came back in six weeks. I followed the guide for a few weeks then bumped it up to two a days as I got stronger and more limber. When I went back she said do what you want and your hand and elbow will show you your limits.
I had Carpal Tunnel surgery on my left hand in March 2021. My problem, though, was a pinched nerve in my left elbow. Never had pain, just noticed throughout 2020, I was losing power in my hand.
Now, I have some atrophy with my hand (some muscle loss between the thumb & index finger).
The test to determine the pinched nerve also revealed a carpal tunnel issue.
Both repaired on the same day.
Long story short...hand post-surgery never bothered me, elbow (with stiches for a bit) stayed sore/tender for a couple of weeks. Surgeon only told me to use my hand/arm...but don't be crazy.
And...because of the weakened hand...I don't play anymore.
Sorry I wasn't any help. Just want you guys you pay attention to your bodies.
Now, I have some atrophy with my hand (some muscle loss between the thumb & index finger).
The test to determine the pinched nerve also revealed a carpal tunnel issue.
Both repaired on the same day.
Long story short...hand post-surgery never bothered me, elbow (with stiches for a bit) stayed sore/tender for a couple of weeks. Surgeon only told me to use my hand/arm...but don't be crazy.
And...because of the weakened hand...I don't play anymore.
Sorry I wasn't any help. Just want you guys you pay attention to your bodies.
Did they put you in a sling? They didn't with me...therefore, no PT. I never lost flexibility with my arm or dexterity with my hand. The power loss with my hand, though, sucks.
In 2018 my CTR finally got so bad I couldn't hold a pick or pick up a coin (both hands). I am fortunate that my wife works in the health care industy, by sheer luck she was referred to a physician that does works with our local NFL team doing laser surgery.
He looked about 12 (I dubbed him Doogie Howser) but damn he was good. I had both hands done at the same time, when it was mentioned that she might have to "assist" with some bodily functions my loving wife responded "We haven't known each other long enough for that" (we've been married almost 14 years)... Note; I took care of myself.
In the first meeting I told him I was a musician and he told me that playing guitar would be excellent PT and I should start doing so as soon as I felt able. When I told him that I played bass he replied "In that case you'll have no problem at all". My wife burst out laughing.
Everyone's a comedian.
I ended up with two 1/4" scars that can barely be seen. I felt 90% relief in my left hand and around 70% in my right immediately with both hands returning to normal within three months.
I realize that I was extremely lucky, it breaks my heart that this is not available for everyone. Health insurance sucks overall.
I wish you all the best in your healing.
I had CT surgery in both hands about 10 years ago, and I remember it taking 4 or 5 months before I was fully able to play again. I didn't push it though...my healing was very painful
I believe every case is different. For me and both wrist's (obviously not at the same time!) it was around six weeks to start to use them following PT sessions as mentioned earlier. It was a slow process to get back to where I was. My fretting hand took longer to function as intended. The good news is the surgery corrected the numbness in my hands! When the surgeon was told I play Bass he suggested no Jaco style for 3 years!!!
A lot has changed in 10 years.
Not sure the test to verify CT has changed. A co-worker (now retired) had the surgery 20+ years ago. I happened to run into him & told him "...that test was some BS". He laughed & agreed.
This particular Doctor told me it was a 2-part test.
The 1st part, "I shock you".
Huh? How many Volts?
She said "... don't know Volts, it's Amps. 100mA.
Huh?
It's been awhile since I had electronic theory. I kinda recall 100mA could kill. She sez " No, you not die".
OUCH!
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Yes the shocks were quite powerful.A lot has changed in 10 years.
Not sure the test to verify CT has changed. A co-worker (now retired) had the surgery 20+ years ago. I happened to run into him & told him "...that test was some BS". He laughed & agreed.
That particular Doctor told me it was a 2-part test.
The 1st part, "I shock you".
Huh? How many Volts?
She said "... don't know Volts, it's Amps. 100mA.
Huh?
It's been awhile since I had electronic fheory. I kinda recall 100mA could kill. She sez " No, you not die".
OUCH!
Depends on the type. I had arthroscopic on both my wrists. Doctor said do what you want but if it hurts, don’t do it. Did my left wrist in 2013, went home and cleaned my car that afternoon. Didn’t play bass for about a week or slightly more because it hurt and I didn’t have enough strength.
Got my right hand done three years later on a Thursday (I think) and played bass that Sunday. Couldn’t use a pick but fingerstyle was fine.
I agree with others - talk to your doctor - but if it doesn’t hurt you are most likely fine. Best wishes on your recovery, glad mine got done as I’ve not had problems since.
Raz
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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Follow your surgeon's instructions, do the prescribed PT, and you'll be fine. If you push it, you won't.
I agree...I hope a lot has indeed changed in 10 years! I remember the shock test as well, and likewise I didn't feel it was any big deal. I was SO glad to have the numbness in my hands gone that I just lived with the pain. I feel that I had a very good physical therapist, but even she remarked that I had experienced more pain for a much longer period of time than most do. At that time, my job required a lot of handwritten documentation and data entry on a computer, and the post-surgery pain when writing/typing was excruciating so I didn't even try to play bass or guitar for months...although I don't remember having any pain at all while choking the hell out of my bossA lot has changed in 10 years.
Not sure the test to verify CT has changed. A co-worker (now retired) had the surgery 20+ years ago. I happened to run into him & told him "...that test was some BS". He laughed & agreed.
This particular Doctor told me it was a 2-part test.
The 1st part, "I shock you".
Huh? How many Volts?
She said "... don't know Volts, it's Amps. 100mA.
Huh?
It's been awhile since I had electronic theory. I kinda recall 100mA could kill. She sez " No, you not die".
OUCH!
Congrats on your outcome. Also congrats on a great wife. Sounds just like mine..
I had carpal tunnel release on both hands, as well as a cubital tunnel release and transposition (elbow nerve). It took about 2 months after the second hand was completed before I could return to work (computer job). I still wasn't very fast on a keyboard, but at least I was getting paid.
It took much, much longer before I could play a bass. About 5 months after the surgery, it was still quite painful to try to play after even a minute or two. By 3 years after the surgery I still couldn't play for more than a few minutes without burning pain and numbness. I sold my longscale basses, keeping only an ultra-shortscale Mikro, quit my job, and became a full-time Dad.
Within a few months of not sitting at a keyboard all day, I could play again! I still play shortscales, only with a pick, and I try to pay very careful attention to my wrist angles on both hands. As long as I do that, I can play 30-45minutes without too much trouble. I will need to build more stamina if I want to gig again, but I can finally play for fun.
My experience was that the total load on my hands had to decrease after the carpal tunnel surgery. You might have the same experience; that you can work a desk job, play video games, or play bass - but not all three, all the time and every day. The reduction in hand use, rather than recovery time, was what limited music for me. I'd also recommend revisiting the ergonomics of your playing when you start up again. Make sure your left wrist is as neutral as possible, with no extra tension anywhere from fingers to neck. If you play finger style, make sure your right wrist doesn't have a sharp downward bend when you pluck; adjust the base and your elbow so the wrist is closer to straight to increase the volume of the carpal tunnel and reduce the chance for nerve problems. Good luck!
It took much, much longer before I could play a bass. About 5 months after the surgery, it was still quite painful to try to play after even a minute or two. By 3 years after the surgery I still couldn't play for more than a few minutes without burning pain and numbness. I sold my longscale basses, keeping only an ultra-shortscale Mikro, quit my job, and became a full-time Dad.
Within a few months of not sitting at a keyboard all day, I could play again! I still play shortscales, only with a pick, and I try to pay very careful attention to my wrist angles on both hands. As long as I do that, I can play 30-45minutes without too much trouble. I will need to build more stamina if I want to gig again, but I can finally play for fun.
My experience was that the total load on my hands had to decrease after the carpal tunnel surgery. You might have the same experience; that you can work a desk job, play video games, or play bass - but not all three, all the time and every day. The reduction in hand use, rather than recovery time, was what limited music for me. I'd also recommend revisiting the ergonomics of your playing when you start up again. Make sure your left wrist is as neutral as possible, with no extra tension anywhere from fingers to neck. If you play finger style, make sure your right wrist doesn't have a sharp downward bend when you pluck; adjust the base and your elbow so the wrist is closer to straight to increase the volume of the carpal tunnel and reduce the chance for nerve problems. Good luck!
Why would you have a doctor perform surgery on you and then ask a bunch of whacked out musicians (and bassists to boot) online! how long it will take for you to recover? Huh?
If I told you 2 weeks and your doctor said 4 would you trust me over him? I could be in the Gotham Hospital for the Criminally Insane for all you know. You don’t want medical advice from me, even if I did spend the night at a Holiday Inn last night.
If I told you 2 weeks and your doctor said 4 would you trust me over him? I could be in the Gotham Hospital for the Criminally Insane for all you know. You don’t want medical advice from me, even if I did spend the night at a Holiday Inn last night.
