Carpul Tunnel surgery?

[Fireftr125]

I have a moderate case of carpul tunnel, It only flares up ever now and then, but when it does, its extremely painful. The doc. said that the only thing I can do is wear my wrist brace to sleep, Ice down my entire arm before and after each gig (kinda like a pitcher) and take Ibuprophen. The only other alternative is surgery. Has anyone had surgery for this before? If so, How hard was the recovery process?

[Drumlooney]

NO, NO, NO, NO and did I mention NO..?
the surgery for carpal tunnel does not work, it's a short relieft that eventually (I mean in a couple of months) goes away and you're back at beginning.  I use to work for a medical malpractice firm and this was the overwhelming response, the surgery does'nt work.

[Sean Welch]

A friend of mine has been taking Celebrex for an unrelated thing, but says it helps for carpal-like symptoms that he has.

I looked online and it seems that it should be beneficial for this problem:
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/health/a-z/34CarpalTunnel/doc34nonsurgical.html

I get mild irritation 'cause I'm mousing all day (IT job) and my work area is so not ergonomic.  Been thinking about taking some of that Celebrex...  But surgery?   :o  No way, not just for intermittent pain....

Actually drumming seems to actually alleviate some of the irritation for me.  Cool - because I don't want to give up IT work OR drumming!!

[Fireftr125]

Thanks for the info, I guess surgery is out of the question. Im just worried, especially since drumming is my career, if im going to physically be able to play when im 50.

[Drumlooney]

Hey fire just remember to stretch your wrist before you start gigging or  practicing.

[Drumschris]

My girlfriend who is also a percussionist has tendinitus in both wrists from playing marimba. I have it too, but to a lesser degree. Anyway, she was on Celebrex for about 6 months with VERY LIMITED PLAYING (one hour a week) and when to the PT once a week for lower arm, wrist, and hand massages/stretching. So far so good. She's back to playing full time and it only seems to bother her MILDLY when she's been playing for extended hours.

For me, I went to CVS and picked up a pair of medical wrist bands.. they have padding in certain places to "open up" your tunnels. For someone with a mild case like me, they work great - espically when playing hand drums.

CHRIS

[timezone]

I've had CTS surgery on both wrists. Right about14 yrs ago & left about four yrs ago. It worked like an absolute charm in both cases. I had a very good surgical specialist do it. He's one of those guys that sews severed fingers & hands back on. He's said to be one of the best in Canada.
So I'd have to surmise that quality of the results depends to a large degree on the quality of the surgeon.

[Tony]

If your serious about your playing career, then you need to read an article from earlier this year or last year in MD about the Misadiagnosis of CTS in drummers.  The article is very well written and provides information on alternative solutions.  I have a student who is an EMT who was told he had CTS and after reading the article, got a 2nd opinion.  Based on the recommendations by his Dr. and the article, he has been pain free and playin for the last 6 months.

[buddrums]

i've got a carpel tunnel exercise for you.  i've told all my drummer and bass player friends, and every single one has had great results...including me.

first: get a regular rubber band.
second: wrap it around your fingers and thumb, making a figure 8
third: open and close your hand for 5 minutes
fourth:  do this once a day for 2 weeks
fifth:  never have pain again.

it seems simple, and it is, but if you do it faithfully your pain will be gone in a matter of days.