Just had a nerve conduction test

[Gary75]

My hands are officially knackered. 4 bouts of tendon surgery to release them and now I got told this morning I have nerve damage in both wrists. Not irreparable but maybe surgery. I really can't face any more surgery on my hands and especially not on nerves. I see Keith Emerson after he had nerve surgery and unless the outlook is if I don't have it, it will get worse, then I ain't going near it. I still play well enough but I am no longer reliable as a bandmate so that avenues buggered.

 

Anybody had nerve surgery here?

[Outkaster]

No not me but is it because of a pre-existing condition? That's really too bad what do you think you will do?

[BbAltered]

I am so sorry to hear of your physical difficulties. This must be heart-breaking for you.

 

Before you make any decisions, make sure you are fully informed: what the problem is, what the proposed fix involves, and what are the likely outcomes of the fix (both good and bad outcomes), and ask how long the recovery takes. Continue to ask questions until you fully understand the answers. Seek out a second doctor to confirm what the first one says or to get alternatives. Seek out the doctor how has the most experience (has treated the most patients), and see what they say.

 

I hope you can find some peace of mind amidst these troubles. All the best.

[Jazz+]

Do you have nerve pain? How has this limited your playing?

[ElmerJFudd]

Really frustrating for a life long musician and keyboard player. I had this test done a few years back after a bout with tendonitis in both my wrists. Thankfully no nerve damage but it did take a long time to recover, literally months off the piano keyboard. I'm playing well again these days, but I really need to warm up and cool down like an aging athlete. And that's the crux of it for me for now - I'm just not 21 anymore. But it makes me think, who am I if not a piano/keyboard player? Well, I would still love music, that doesn't go away. And I'm a dad, and husband, and I've always enjoyed other things I might or could be good at if my hands weren't what they were anymore. Scary, no doubt. And worrisome at first. But we'll survive one way or another.

 

Take care of yourself, enjoy doing other things for a while and best of luck with any future procedures you may opt for. You're not alone - all instrumentalists, athletes, and many other professions are prone to tendonitis and nerve problems, carpul tunnel, etc. Feel better, stay positive. It's stress and worry that's worst of all.

[junkcar]

 

Before more surgery the question is "why are you injured...and 4 bouts of surgery?"

 

If it is a disease or genetic condition, then that is one thing.

 

But some keyboard players have poor hand/arm/body posture at the keyboard, and/or poor technique, both of which cause and/or contribute to tendon/nerve problems.

 

If that is even remotely the case, I suggest you find someone who can help in that area rather than another surgery, etc.

 

A Classically trained pianist / teacher is one possibility...they (can) know good technique.

 

Hope you find a solution.

[nickd]

Sorry, I've not got any useful advice, but just wanted to add my support - stay positive, it will all work out for the best one way or another.

[Gary75]

Thank you guys.

 

Well the tendinitis on the flexor tendons in my hand I have had for 10 years. I had steroid injections initially but ran out of options with those. Actually the surgery went ok tendon wise, I'm no longer in pain, probably a little less flexibility than a normal functioning hand but it hasn't affected my playing really.

 

But this other problem, this losing feeling in my hands , that's the worry one. I can get it when driving in my first three fingers. I can relieve it by briefly putting my hand on my knee. I have also been getting searing pain like my hands have been set on fire. It happened when I woke up one night and it was extremely traumatic. I have no idea if I could manage 2 45s as I have been 3 years out of gigging. I'm worried my hands will go numb like when they do sometimes and I won't be able to play. I still play in the house now and what little I do doesn't trigger it but who knows over two sets.

 

Type 1 diabetes for 33 years since I was 8 probably plays the majority role in my problems. I'm moving house at the moment so not playing, no time as I'm packing and looking for a new house.

 

I'm going to see the consultant in June to discuss the results, see what she says I guess.

[Chris Link]

Type 1 diabetes for 33 years since I was 8 probably plays the majority role in my problems. I'm moving house at the moment so not playing, no time as I'm packing and looking for a new house.

 

I'm going to see the consultant in June to discuss the results, see what she says I guess.

 

Free advice is generally worth what you pay for it and this isn't in my field, but there's a good chance this is not a mechanical (and thus surgical) issue. It could well be diabetic neuropathy. The are a number of medications which have varying degrees of success. You and your physician may want to explore those options.

 

 

 

 

[Aidan]

I've been lucky enough to meet Gary in person and having seen him fiddle around with my organ rig (oo-er missus), I can tell everyone here, he's one hell of a player and it would be a tragedy if he had to give up music altogether.

 

Mate, only you can decide what's best for you, but my gut feeling is that if you can keep away from surgery, I would. That said, I'm sure you're in the best care possible, so consult wisely with your experts, then make the decision that feels right for you. Stay strong and that offer of more tea any time you're passing still stands, of course!

[Gary75]

Thanks Aidan for your warm and kind hearted words, I have very little social interaction now and the support here is much appreciated.

 

As for neuropathy, well initially my consultant has said she doesn't think it is that, I don't know if her opinions will change following tests. I'll give her her due, she actually was there to only perform tendon surgery but after explaining my numbness problems said she had that as a keen interest in that area and would stay with me instead of passing me over. So she has booked in a battery of tests, x-ray,MRI, nerve conduction.

 

She said it's possible I have a narrow thorassic area in my collarbone so the blood supply and nerves get squashed when I'm positioned a certain way.

 

I actually think it's having dogs and doing lots of 'man work' that's caused issues. Dogs are pullers and hard work especially walking two at a time.

 

I'm going to try and keep my heavy hand work down now, stuff like washing the car, cleaning the house (I tend to be quite obsessive about things being clean!). I'll take the cars to a car wash. I was going to hire a van and move our stuff to the new house myself with some family help but actually I think I'll just pay a firm to do it and just watch from the sidelines.

 

I'm down but I'm not out

 

[MorayM]

Fortunately (for me) I have absolutely no experience of this but you have my deepest sympathies and best wishes. Good luck with the move too!

[joegerardi]

Were they the needles-with-electricity-through-the-limb tests?

 

I had those when I got hit with Sciatica- they actually had to insert a needle into my spine and shoot electricity into the left leg to conduct with the one in my calf.

 

Folks, this is not fun- there's no anesthesia - there can't be - and you are told that if you move whileh they're putting the needle in, you could paralyze yourself. Gritting your teeth is all you can do.

 

b3boy: It sucks. They never found the cause of my neuropathy, so they said it was because of my Type 2 diabetes; I hope they don't just default to that for you.

 

..Joe

[RudyS]

I have nothing to help you, but just want you to wish all the best with this!

[Markyboard]

+1000

 

Lot's of good advice here. I also wanted to send my well wishes your way and hope it all works out for the best - whatever path you end up on.

[Old Master Tech]

Best to you - Same as several others - no tangible help, BUT as an older player with some empathy from minor playing-related pain that started when I started exercising on piano more, my prayers are with you

[Desert Rat]

My prayers are with you brother. I can sympathize with you as all the nerves that supply my right arm are being irritated from 8 surgeries on my neck 31 years ago. They removed the vertebrae from 2-7 and a year ago the instrumentation they put in started to collapse. Watching and waiting to see what happens next. In the mean time, it just ain't much fun. Hang in there.

[Synthaholic]

You owe it to yourself to find a really forward-thinking chiropractor, one who is also involved in rehab techniques other than massage therapy. My guy is also using laser technology on my arm and wrist, which stimulates healing and blood flow. I talked about Guasha in this other thread: https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2850695/Searchpage/1/Main/189061/Words/Guasha/Search/true/Re_Tricep_tendonitis#Post2850695.

 

It's amazing how much a simple correction of your arm radius, through a shoulder manipulation, can increase your nerve situation. Good luck!

[Michael Wright]

Best wishs from me also.

[Gary75]

Just a little update. I saw my specialist today. She has told me the results are of moderate/severe. carpal tunnel issue on the right hand and less so on the left. I need to have my tunnel widened (if you'll pardon the expression) to stop my nerves getting squished. Basically if I don't have the surgery I could lose the feeling in my hands permanently, so it's not even about playing anymore, it's about not being able to do bugger all if I can't feel my hands. It's a common procedure and she's not going near the nerves which reassured me. It won't 100% fix it as there's nerve fibres no doubt permanently destroyed. So this needs to be done under local anathestetic involving a 2 inch or so scar from the palm up to the wrist.

 

She also thinks I have a bit of an extra rib looking at my MRI scans that may be slightly disrupting nerve and blood flow. It's in the collarbone area. Basically if I'm on the phone my arm gets tired quickly and I have to change hands.

 

I really feel she's wanting to look after me given the amount of things going on (and to be honest she's very easy on tne eye so I'm all up for being looked after) and the fact I'm not old. She's put me down as urgent so I should be going in relatively soon.

 

As long as it stops the numbness and risk of permanent numbness then I have no qualms about doing it.

 

 

[joegerardi]

I need to have my tunnel widened

 

We don't judge...

 

..Joe

[Gary75]

I need to have my tunnel widened

 

We don't judge...

 

..Joe

[xKnuckles]

Hi B3boy. So sorry to hear this. Allow me to add my best wishes and support

to everyone else's. What a dreadful experience for you. We all understand the particular horror of hand injuries for a keys player.

 

I know a very good classical pianist who had carpal surgery on both hands simultaneously. They made a quick and complete recovery and were back to playing as well as ever afterwards.

 

Just a thought, but I wonder if you might benefit from doing some yoga. Obviously it can't eliminate your pain, but it would build up all your other muscles which might counterbalance the ones which have been overused.... If you are interested and wish to try it at home, this site is very good: https://www.namaste.tv

 

Best of luck with the carpal op. I hope it sorts out all your problems and gets your hands working properly again.

 

 

 

 

[Chris Link]

This is actually very good news. If most or all of your symptoms are from carpal tunnel syndrome (and not from any underlying neuropathy), you are likely to get a very good result.

 

Physical therapy, stretching, exercises, yoga, chiropractic, etc. are all good things and have their place, but sometimes cold surgical steel is the best option. And this is a very uninvasive surgery and you'll be back at it before you know it.

[CEB]

My daughter had a nerve conduction study on a leg after a soccer injury. That sucked. They stuck needles in her leg and electrocuted the **** out of her.

[mate stubb]

Pics of the Doc or it didn't happen!

[Doerfler]

My prayers are with you brother.

 

as are mine.

[Desert Rat]

Just a little update. I saw my specialist today. She has told me the results are of moderate/severe. carpal tunnel issue on the right hand and less so on the left. I need to have my tunnel widened (if you'll pardon the expression) to stop my nerves getting squished. Basically if I don't have the surgery I could lose the feeling in my hands permanently, so it's not even about playing anymore, it's about not being able to do bugger all if I can't feel my hands. It's a common procedure and she's not going near the nerves which reassured me. It won't 100% fix it as there's nerve fibres no doubt permanently destroyed. So this needs to be done under local anathestetic involving a 2 inch or so scar from the palm up to the wrist.

 

She also thinks I have a bit of an extra rib looking at my MRI scans that may be slightly disrupting nerve and blood flow. It's in the collarbone area. Basically if I'm on the phone my arm gets tired quickly and I have to change hands.

 

I really feel she's wanting to look after me given the amount of things going on (and to be honest she's very easy on tne eye so I'm all up for being looked after) and the fact I'm not old. She's put me down as urgent so I should be going in relatively soon.

 

As long as it stops the numbness and risk of permanent numbness then I have no qualms about doing it.

 

I used to work with a hand surgeon and we would do six of these procedures in the morning and play golf in the afternoon. It takes an average of 20 minutes surgical time and now it is done endoscopically (small incision, tiny camera on a cannula and instruments that widen the canal with minimal tissue disruption). Up and running in just a week. If I was living where you are, I'd comp the anesthesia charges (~$1,200 typically). Best of luck with the procedure and my prayers are also with you. (You will do fine.)

[John Tweed]

If it is carpal tunnel you are dealing with, then I can only recommend going ahead with the op if that is what your doctors advise. I had bad carpal tunnel in both hands, severe enough that my right hand was curling up - saw a video of me playing at that time and it's quite remarkable how bad it looked. My playing suffered too, as did my general health, due to disrupted sleep from waking up with my hands aflame.

 

I had both hands done at separate times a couple of years back. It took around a year before I felt fully comfortable playing piano at full strength - I concentrated on organ initally and gradually increased the time on piano. Now I'm happy to say I'm playing as well as I ever did, not withstanding other things that may have impeded my musical progess - life, for example.

 

My only regret was that I didn't have the op earlier. I had several cortisone injections but evetually they became ineffective. The operation these days seems to promise better results than it may have in the past. My mother had this operation 15 years or so back, and she claimed that it didn't improve anything. On the other hand my brother had both his hands done a year or two before me and was, and continues to be, very happy with the results.

 

BTW carpal tunnel does not happen just because of faulty piano technique or computer use. It runs in families, as I have observed in my own case. My mother never touched a computer in her life. Both she and my brother had played piano at various times in their lives, but nowhere near the amount that I did.

[TommyRude]

Good luck B3boy, that sounds brutal. I feel lucky, my hands seem to be in good shape. I always thought that playing piano strengthened my hands and fingers and made them more impervious to injury.