I think age has finally decided to rear it's ugly head. I was recently told by an orthopedist that I probably have carpal tunnel syndrome in my hand. I've been experiencing burning and stinging in my fingers for about a year now, and it's recently becoming more pronounced.

Now, it's either this or the amount of time I spend on the computer keyboard banging away at my fingertips. And it's just overuse pain.

Has anyone here had any experience with this type of burning/stinging? The problem with doctors nowadays is they just tell you what they think is wrong and it's a guess. They don't tell you what to do about it, nor give you a prognosis, or........even CARE that you're a professional keyboard player.

I'm concerned that my days of playing may soon be over, so any comments at all would be appreciated.

Also, I had a good experience with acupuncture for my knee a few years back. Anyone else have any acupuncture experiences?

Mark

I had it in my elbow for some time, from extensive mouse use....

Reseating helped solved the problem for me, just a few milimeters higher..


You could also try and put your keybed in a different position, putting it in a position that it is angled downward also removes restrain from your fingers and wrists...

I have had surgery on both wrist. My hands would go to sleep and it was very uncomfortable! I have had recovery in both hands now, one last month. Get the repair, it is necessary. Hope this advice helps. I am a keyboard player of a psr S710

Mine comes and goes. There have been 6 month periods when I couldn't even hold a stringed instrument...the pain was too great. Then, with therapy and rest, it corrected itself.

To complicate things, I got cut on the same arm 6 years ago. Now, I have a torn rotator in the other shoulder.

Like you, I think my days of playing 24 hours straight in the studio are near the end.

I have given up 4 hour gigs on upright....the hardest instrument ever, as far as tendon damage goes.

Let's just be happy we can still play, for now.


Russ

You're right about the docs making lots of guesses, and for the most part they get away with them, but not all the time. First and foremost, in order to determine if this is truly carpal tunnel syndrome, you should have a nerve conduction study performed, which only takes a few minutes and pretty much painless.

Also, an Electromyogram study should be done as well. Small needles are inserted in certain muscles to measure the electrical impulses when muscles contract and are relaxed.

Both studies should be done before you consent to surgery. The healing process varies with the age of the patient, and older patients tend to take several weeks to heal completely. Once healed, the next step is to stop the abuse to those nerves and tendons by lightening your touch on the keyboard and playing while your arms are positioned properly. If you are standing while playing, you make matter worse. Your forearms should be parallel with the floor while your upper arms should be nearly vertical. There should be very little finger movement at all. Most of the vertical movement will is generated by your forearms.

Almost forgot. If your little finger is involved, the problem is most likely NOT carpal tunnel syndrome. The little finger is not triggered by the median nerve, which is where carpal tunnel syndrome originates. When I worked in medicine many years ago, we often referred to carpal tunnel syndrome as jack hammer disease. The constant slamming of a jack hammer on the palm of your hands was the causative with carpal tunnel syndrome, but other professions experienced similar problems if they involved impact to the hands via tools and heavy machinery. It was also common with blacksmiths.

Hope this helps,

Gary

I did have all the test that Gary Diamond suggested, and my problems went away following surgery!

After extensive testing at a nearby medical complex, I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel in both hands. Operations at different times seemed to reduce the tingling near the tips of my fingers sufficiently for me to begin playing golf again.

Previously, I could not grip with enough confidence to be certain the club would not come flying away at the top of my backswing, endangering my foursome... LOL!

At times, the fingers in my left hand will actually lock in place and I physically have to "pop" them back manually. Very frustrating.

Unfortunately, the problem has returned and I suspect it may not have been carpal tunnel after all. I also suffer from a sciatic nerve problem in my right side and it has forced me to give up the game completely. At least I can still play my Arranger, write songs and enjoy chess often.

Being above ground is a good thing!

All the best,

Dave Rice

Hi guys and thanks for your response to this carpal tunnel thing. I got a lot out of your comments. Here I’m thinking I’m the only one on the planet who got this problem.

After reading what you wrote here, I realized there must be a lot of info out there about it because it seems to be so prevalent, so I spent the last two days researching ct on the Net.

I’m pretty mad and confused at the same time right now. Mad, because I didn’t realize the devastating effects this could lead to that the doctors haven’t said anything about. As I mentioned, they’ve reacted like it was nothing more than a mosquito bite. Then I’m confused about which way to go with this before it gets worse.

Bachus.......I WILL do that. Reposition my computer keyboard and the mouse.......and look to buy a keyboard with a lighter touch

Russ.......my question to you is this. Did it start like mine started? I only have pain in the two fingers on each hand. Did yours start out where it just about incapacitated you?

Gary.......you’re talking about a “neuropathy” test.......and.......a “Electromyogram”.......are they different? I’ve had a neuropathy test for my lower extremities. I’m familiar with that. Surgery is off the playing field for now. It’s not that far advanced so far. Good advice on playing position. I tend to be aggressive when I play. Forearms parallel to the floor.......good! I read what you said about the “little finger.” I understand that now about the nerves not reaching there so it could still be ct.

Keith.......THAT is encouraging!

Dave.......may I ask how you found a “medical complex” who knew how to test for ct? I live in the NYC area, Googled for an hour and still can’t find anyone…..a hand specialist that is.

Questions to Gary or anyone:
I’m not certain if this IS carpal tunnel or just my fingertips taking a physical beating from using the computer keyboard too much. The pain is definitely there though.

What type of doctor would I go to? Been to see my GP and two orthopedists already. I’ll go to a neurologist to get the nerve test done.

I was reading on the Net about maybe I should see a “hand surgeon” or a “plastic surgeon?”

Is there a point when the nerves are so damaged they can’t be revived?

Again.......any further advice or comments is really appreciated. I’m not sure how to cope with this. It seems you’re on your own when it comes to working with doctors around here!

Mark

Mark,

By the time I felt like I was debilitated, I had been through many bouts of increasingly painful hand issues. My doctor called it the bass player disease. He said, and I've read the same thing elsewhere, that modern music, when played on a conventional upright, is just too fast and hard for the process not to damage a lot of arm parts over time, including the tendon to the elbow and all ligaments involved in a traditional carpal tunnel injury.

My answer is to stop playing jazz on an upright; something I dearly love to do. Today, I think I could handle an upright job, but, I'm one motion away from a serious injury I might not recover from.

If you know any bass players....I'm talking about top tier guys who've been at it for 30 plus years, look at their elbows. Most, like my dear friend Ray Brown had an elbow that looked like a road map from the surgeries.

Be well, and let us know how things progress.


Russ

russ my hands are burning up today...would you believe the office mgr told me the specialist will see me on friday on his day off and have a thorough talk with me about what's goin on...i can only use 2 fingers to type.....i used to sympathize with you guys who are in pain.....now i empathize......i can predict that, at best, i will have to stop typing and stop playing for a while......thanks for sharing...i will keep you posted on my own injury....

Hi Mark:

About 15 miles north of where I live, the Granbury Medical Center has a staff much like those in the big cities of Dallas or Ft. Worth. They have a team specializing in spine and nerve related problems. I will be surprised if you don't have equivalent or better centers nearby.

There are several types of procedures available for carpal tunnel. Most of invasive surgeries but who knows what is available now. There is also the distinct possibility that physical therapy may solve your problem, depending on the test results. If you have the time and resources... I would advise getting more than one opinion.

Best of luck,

Dave