 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LaurieBell
Date: 2015-04-04 20:26
Several months ago I reported numbness in my hands, especially when sleeping at night, and also when practicing clarinet. Several of you had suggestions, the most important being, "see a doctor NOW."
I saw my primary care doctor in January. He referred me to a specialist. I had an EMG test done to evaluate the nerves in my hand and arm, and it confirmed that I had moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands.
I went for a second opinion and both specialists said non-surgical options probably wouldn't work with moderate or severe carpal tunnel. And if I didn't have surgery, it could progress to permanent nerve damage.
I was very nervous about having surgery. In the back of my mind I wondered, what if I'm not able to play clarinet again? But the alternative of permanent nerve damage scared me more, so I bit the bullet and had surgery on my left hand.
After surgery my doctor reported that my nerve had been very compressed, so I should notice good results. He was right.
I had the surgery on a Tuesday and by Thursday I was playing my clarinet again (albeit with a large wrap of gauze around my hand and wrist.) By the following Monday, I was back in rehearsal with the wind ensemble, and my numbness was totally gone. Ten days after surgery the gauze wrap came off and there was only a very tiny scare that mostly gone away by now.
Since then several members of my wind ensemble have asked me about my experience because they too have numb fingers. I tell them I'm not sure if everyone who has carpal surgery would have good results like mine, but I am very pleased. I also advise them to see there doctor NOW (your good advice) and at least get evaluated so they can make an informed choice.
Just wanted to thank you all for your support and good advice.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-04-04 20:39
Laurie,
I'm very encouraged by your experience. I've had the EMG tests, which confirmed severe CTS in the right hand and moderate in the left. I see the neurosurgeon next Monday to see what can be done. I hope my result is as good as yours.
Tony F.
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Author: LaurieBell
Date: 2015-04-04 21:07
Wishing you good luck Tony. Please let us know how it turns out for you.
I'm going to schedule the surgery in my right hand for July. It wasn't as bad as the left hand, but I don't want to wait for it to get worse.
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2015-04-04 22:12
Laurie, congratulations! That's really good news. And as CTS is so frequent I think it will be of interest for others in this forum.
And (excuse my professional curiosity as a long- retired neurologist): If you don't mind would you please tell us if the operation was performed conventionally or per "keyhole"?
Michael
Post Edited (2015-04-04 22:13)
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2015-04-04 22:27
Congratulations on successfully overcoming that issue, Laurie. My physician said carpal tunnel surgery is fairly simple and almost always fixes the problem completely.
I was diagnosed with mild carpal tunnel. It was fixed by performing a small set of hand exercises each day.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-04-05 01:20
Good for you, Laurie. I remember your post from a couple of months ago and I've often wondered whatever had become of your issue. I've had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists and have never regretted my decision. However, I'm shocked you could play in two days! Way to go!!!
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