chrisanthony1211 Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Booked for carpal tunnel on my right wrist on 24th October......gig booked on 10th November!!!! It may be a little tight, anyone have any experience of recovery post surgery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I’d take a guess and say 6 weeks minimum. A mate of mine, who is a top guitarist took months away from professional playing when he had carpal tunnel trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Is it open or using an endoscope? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I didn't have surgery after all, as the cortisone shots worked well enough, but was warned that six weeks would be a minimum; six weeks of being unable to move the wrist without destroying the work that had been done, and further damage, too. I'd suggest getting a dep in for your gig whilst there's still time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Mate got this done 23rd of last month so I've sent him a message asking what he thinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Didn’t the doctor/specialist cover all of this before being booked in for the Op? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I had a gig the day after I had the stitches out. Which was about 2 weeks post op. I didn't have any complications and the operation went very well. Of course we are all different and heal at different rates. So best to play it by ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 This is an injury that risks your ability to play bass and probably many other things in your life. The risks are significant. Don't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 I hate cancelling gigs (it sends you straight to hell...) I spoke with the nurse and she said that they encourage movement to prevent excessive scar tissue build up, apparently playing bass is good post op physio for carpal tunnel..... I’m hoping that as long as there are no complications I should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1507673987' post='3387235'] I had a gig the day after I had the stitches out. Which was about 2 weeks post op. I didn't have any complications and the operation went very well. Of course we are all different and heal at different rates. So best to play it by ear. [/quote] That’s reassuring, I plan on playing the gig (and not going to hell...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 No. Seriously, don't even consider it. Even if your wrist felt match-ready (which after 2.5 weeks I'm pretty sure it wouldn't), it won't be. I've had both mine done and didn't play in earnest for a good six weeks afterwards. Rest it properly, do your exercises, ease back in and don't push it, otherwise you could bugger it up forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 [quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1507702383' post='3387274'] I hate cancelling gigs (it sends you straight to hell...) I spoke with the nurse and she said that they encourage movement to prevent excessive scar tissue build up, apparently playing bass is good post op physio for carpal tunnel..... I'm hoping that as long as there are no complications I should be ok. [/quote] I'd take the advice of the medical professional! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Had both mine done. The first one would probably have been fine and I would have risked it rather than go to hell - but the second one definitely wouldn't. It was done by a different guy who was much more clumsy and recovery time was longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 [quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1507711023' post='3387336'] I'd take the advice of the medical professional! [/quote] +1. OP...granted it is not pleasant to have to cancel a gig, ( you could always get a stand in) but at least there will be others. If you don't take the advice of the medical people, you may do permanent harm...and then there WONT be others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I had almost the exact same experience in 2011. Had right wrist surgery at the start of November and played a gig mid-month. actually found it a much less painful experience then previous gigs leading up to the surgery had been. Almost as soon as I'd had the surgery I found my plucking hand loosened up a hell of a lot and I've had no problems with it since. However, I wasn't able to put any pressure on my right palm for over 6 months (the docs had already told me this so it wasn't a surprise). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Then there's the other scenario. . . . suppose you do the gig and get somewhere into the set. . . . and the injury kicks in. If you can't continue the gig what's plan B? Use your thumb, a pick? Spare bass player sitting beside the stage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12stringbassist Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) The advice above about waiting it out is fairly sound. If you play hard, you are likely to do damage to the repairs. Ask your surgeon and show him the expected wrist movement. He may say stop til you can do some exercises without REAL pain. I had a shoulder operation (right shoulder / right handed) at short notice on August 11th and I confirmed with my surgeon first exactly what I would be able to do afterwards. I ended up with us missing 3 gigs. Venues understood. I don't cancel gigs for anything, but sometimes you have no choice. Have they said you can't drive for a period? You should ask about that. That follows some operations. Edited October 11, 2017 by 12stringbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 My pal replied. He played 2 x 50 mins sets 12 days after the op. Says it knocked his recovery back a few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 Think I shall speak with the venue and let them know the situation, after I have the surgery I will see what the surgeon has to say, the advice seems to be to use it as much as is comfortable, they’re not cutting and tendons involved with moving the fingers, but the tendons going across the wrist... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 [quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1507790139' post='3387904'] I will see what the surgeon has to say, the advice seems to be to use it as much as is comfortable, [/quote] All well and good..BUT....but let's say that half way through the first set and your hand becomes UNcomfortable.....?????? Anyway...it's your gig...and your hand(s) !! Hope things go well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 there are no tendons going across the wrist, what they are cutting is a thickens piece of fascia/tissue which is the roof of the tunnel which allows the nerve to 'breathe' as for some reason things have gotten a little tight in there. as asked before Is it open or endoscopic surgery - this affects the recovery profile and scarring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I'm with Rich on this. Fair enough , if it was a once in a lifetime opp to do Wembley Stadium or something I might be tempted but there's no shortcut for time , and if you push it you could end up with permanent damage. I have played injured - broken finger etc and strapped up with cracked ribs but that was different to an invasive procedure. There was minimal risk to me , just pain. If it was a longer gap to the next booked gig I'd suggest having a dep prepped and maybe sharing the gig. Easy does it. Hope you get a good cutter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 [quote name='Cuzzie' timestamp='1507798327' post='3387971'] as asked before Is it open or endoscopic surgery - this affects the recovery profile and scarring [/quote] They’re going to be slicing it open .. stitches out 10 days later when I can drive again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 10 days is quite son to drive mate, part of the problem is the when you bend you wrist back to hold the steering wheel, that exact motion exacerbates the problem you had, and increases the pressure inside the carpal tunnel. On NO accounts should you do any heavy lifting with that hand for a minimum of 4 weeks, absolute minimum. I am assuming you play right handed (sorry lefties) being your picking/plucking hand having it down for long periods will result in swelling so you need to elevate it, you may also find your fingers a little more clumsy initially after the surgery, and some people do suffer from a hypersensitive scar. You need to be very careful, a gig is a one off, you hand is for life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Is 10 days the time allotted for this operation by your insurance company? They will have a sliding scale for operations and periods they won't cover you whilst recuperating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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