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Anyone here wtih carpal tunnel or similar?

3K views 20 replies 11 participants last post by  GUITARMAGEDDON 
#1 ·
Been having this problem for a few years, but since Ive started playing guitar more lately this year, its been getting quite awful/painful.

this is what it normally looks like (this is my right hand) looking specifically at the thumb joint you can see theres no inflammation or anything


and here on my bad hand (left hand, playing hand) you can see its flared up pretty badly.



angle 2



NSAIDs dont do ANYTHING.

Obviously not looking for a true diagnosis or anything, just wondering if someone else here has the same issue :( Cant see a doctor until NEXT friday, so helpful thoughts in the mean time would be appreciated.

edit: stabbing ish (flares up but normally just aches) local pain, and dull ache running down my arm about half way down if that matters. Fingers have been stiff for a couple weeks too if that means anything.
 
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#2 ·
I've had it for around 4 years now and it just gets worse and more painfull every time .
Work related injuries to my hands and arms confound things even more.

Physio and accupuncture do help but i've learned to live with it now and realise i'll never be able to play anything like I used to...strum strum de strum .
 
#4 ·
I've got CTS and other tendon damage, had it since '04. Really sucks, can't quite do what I want, and can be quite painful some days. I'm far weaker in the hands and arms, so easy to through out and really hurt.

That doesn't really look like anything I've had before. In saying that, STOP playing, rest your hands, and get to a doctor pronto. If it's caused by work talk to your supervisors, work out oh&s practice at your workplace.
 
#10 ·
linux you may have CMC Joint arthritis if it is mostly at the base of your thumb (at the wrist) there are things that can be done. we used to replace that joint with what looked like a marble. the fact that it is red and painful is a bit concerning, but swelling and pain can indicate arthritis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually associated with pain numbness or tingling which extends to the hand and fingers. try this.... lean on your hand like doing a push up so your wrist if extended back and pressure is on base of your palm. You can also do this by lying on your side and resting your head on your hand/ palm. if your symptoms get worse while doing this, (pain, numbness tingling) then it could be CTS.

just to let you know, you do appear to have some thenar atrophy (muscle in palm of hand at thumb base) which is a sign of chronic weakness there possibly due to neural injury.

the swelling could also be due to a ganglion cyst.

you need to see a hand specialist, especially if you like playing guitar which i am sure that you do....
 
#12 ·
Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually associated with pain numbness or tingling which extends to the hand and fingers. try this.... lean on your hand like doing a push up so your wrist if extended back and pressure is on base of your palm. You can also do this by lying on your side and resting your head on your hand/ palm. if your symptoms get worse while doing this, (pain, numbness tingling) then it could be CTS.

just to let you know, you do appear to have some thenar atrophy (muscle in palm of hand at thumb base) which is a sign of chronic weakness there possibly due to neural injury..
doing that kinda "stretches it" and makes it feel better while im doing it, and then when i release the pressure it hurts like hell. Doing a "thumbs up" sign also hurts like hell, but no tingling or numbness. Im gonna go buy a hand brace today see if that helps at all.

Im far too young to have arthritis, am I not??? (24, and hardy hardy hardy har about my other thread :p)

@ LP and 6F: You have just totally scarred me for life
whatever do you mean, I was talking about playing guitar.... ;)
 
#14 ·
ganglion cyst is a synovial fluid cyst or sac of joint fluid that arises from the joint, usuall from some kind of injury. used to be called bible cysts, because the cure back in the day was to take a huge book and whack the cyst with it....

excision with subsequent closure is now the treatment.... sometimes they can drain it with a needle in the office, but it will most likely come back...
 
#15 ·
I'm playing guitar, bass, drums and keyboards since I was 16 and I never ever had a problem with my body.
But I always stretched and warmed-up my body before practicing.
I don't know if that's your case but you should watch petrucci video class, he shows a lot of stretching exercises and warm-ups to avoid problems.
If you practice everyday the risk of damage is smaller because you keep your body in shape, just like a guy who once in a month plays soccer with friends, his heart could stop.
So always stretch and warm-up before playing anything.Sometimes a simple bend could send you to the hospital.
And always do sports no matter what, they keep your body strong and healthy ;)
 
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