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recovery time for Carpal Tunnel surgery

#21
Thumperific said:
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!
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Wow.
I really believe playing bass would be great PT.
Now I just have to convince my head. Surgery can play mental games with a person.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
 
#22
Not Carpal Tunnel but I had surgery to repair nerve damage from an accident in my left elbow. It was a good 6 months before I could play with any precision and still after all these years it's not what it once was. My problem was not physical strength as much as it was my fingers not responding to what my brain was telling them to do. Always listen to your doctor but also listen to your body. You know your limits more than anyone else. Best of luck to you.
 
#23
I had trigger finger release surgery in early November, similar but a different procedure. I've just started playing again last week. Started PT in December, made a big difference. I think my doctor figured that I would be making progress on my own (resuming practice) and didn't prescribe PT after the surgery. The result was scarring around the incision that has taken longer to recover from. Like everyone else has weighed in your doctor will be the "go to" resource, but with COVID everything including PT is a bit off when trying to get things scheduled.
My only suggestion would be to see how your recovery is progressing, and if it seems to be slow after a few weeks follow up with your doctor and ask about PT. The PT exercises made a world of difference for me, they are not rocket science. A couple of visits and you can do the routines on your own.

Good luck on it...
 
#24
Sorry OP but this should be an answer your specialist should provide you, no one are the same and it will differ from one person to the other on how they will take to get back to a normal (as close as possible anyway) state after such a procedure (I'm assuming anyway)... :meh:
 
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#27
I had both hands done one year apart, 5 or 6 years ago. In each case I was back gigging within 3 weeks. Full recovery, probably 2 months. I don’t recall much pain, but I’m sure that’s more my recollection than reality. I found that the PT value of gentle playing was worthwhile, just don’t overdo it. However I’m not a doctor, just a bassist. I’d check with your PT.
 
#28
I had both wrists done about a year ago. I was lightly noodling after a couple of days after each one. I was good to go for a reasonable session after a couple of weeks. Full rehearsal after about 3 weeks.

I recall my doctor's instructions being to let pain guide my activity. If I could tolerate it, it was OK. But do work with your doctor.
 
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#29
five7 said:
Had surgery done 6 days ago. Wondering when I can start playing again without causing any damage.
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I had CT surgery on December 9th. Was in a restrictive bandage until the 21st when the stitches came out and the bandage came off. At that point I asked my surgeon what PT would be needed and when I could being playing bass. He said, "playing Bass is perfect therapy". your hand will let you know how much it can stand. He doesn't prescribe any special PT, just to go about doing what you normally do and don't lift anything over 10 pounds.

so, I have been limiting my practice to 1/2 hour sessions 4 times a week so far, so good.

John
 
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#31
I've had CTR on both hands.
It really depends on a number of factors: your age, the level of nerve damage, how successful the surgery was, how well you rest them, if you have a job that stresses the area etc.

Mine was very smooth, I was in my early 30's, and I caught it pretty early, so it only took a couple of weeks before I was playing again. Every situation is different. I remember my doctor telling me to let my pain/feeling be my guide.
 
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#33
You guys reminded me of the "test" (electrocution). My neurologist mentioned this might hurt a little bit........It was like torture! I looked over at him while I was screaming and he was smiling. I asked him if he was enjoying this. He said yes!!
Glad it's over. And it was worth it.
 
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#34
noahw1 said:
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.
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I think/hope he & his surgeon had that chat.
IMO, the OP is just asking about the experiences of us, the whack jobs. ;)

I did remember something while walking the dog...hopefully, it gives a laff.
The Surgeon told me do not lift anything over ONE 12oz beer bottle (Ha-ha) for a month.
A week after surgery, I'm in the beer cooler down at the grocer...I'm toting around a case of Sam Adams by 2 fingers on my left hand. Oops.
 
#35
Jjacks651 said:
I had CT surgery on December 9th. Was in a restrictive bandage until the 21st when the stitches came out and the bandage came off. At that point I asked my surgeon what PT would be needed and when I could being playing bass. He said, "playing Bass is perfect therapy". your hand will let you know how much it can stand. He doesn't prescribe any special PT, just to go about doing what you normally do and don't lift anything over 10 pounds.

so, I have been limiting my practice to 1/2 hour sessions 4 times a week so far, so good.

John
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Physical Therapists are not doctors and doctors especially surgeons are not physical therapists. PT requires a prescription. There’s more to this type of PT than just playing bass.
 
#37
JimK said:
Wow.
I really believe playing bass would be great PT.
Now I just have to convince my head. Surgery can play mental games with a person.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Click to expand...

I ruptured a couple of bursa straps on my left index and midden finger plating basketball. The Doc told me it would take a year to heal with physical therapy or he could do surgery and it your take a year to heal. When I told him I was a working musician, he said playing guitar would be one of the best therapies I could do. He then offered to write me a script for it to prevent any domestic issues with me playing at home a lot..LOL1
 
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#38
I ended up having Carpal surgery on both hands spread out over a year. Working with one of the Pianists from the L.A. Philharmonic, he noticed I was "covertly" shaking my right hand every so often. He told me he had my surgeon. I told him I had heard so many horror stories about the surgery and the recovery time. He said he researched the best doctors in the country. (understandable being such an accomplished Pianist) He found the guy in Los Angeles who does it arthroscopically. He accepted me as a patient. (don't ask) I can't even see the slight scar on either hand now. I was back playing in about 2 weeks. The arthroscopic approach is amazing and has virtually none of the risk of the traditional approach. Musicians should absolutely seek out qualified surgeons who use this approach. Virtually no risk of "bad outcome".
 
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