Introduction and Carpol Tunnel?

Welcome Marshel. Glad to have you aboard.

The CT surgery should have you feeling better in no time

Welcome aboard Marshel.

In 1988 I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands.  After months of sleeping sitting up in a chair at night so I could shake my hands every hour or so to relieve the pain, I suddenly had no pain at all.  It took several months before I felt I had full strength in my hands but anything that required using my hands/manipulating my fingers was instantly easier.  I hope the surgery provides as much relief for you as it did for me. My only regret was waiting 12 years to have the surgery after the symptoms started.

DE

Welcome to Chordie !!  No doubt you will be seeing a Physical Therapist about the time you hit day 14 in the healing process.... if not already.  You should mention to them that you have this musical "hobby" and I would almost bet you will be advised to pick that thing up as soon as you are comfortable doing so.  The general thinking is that low stress movement (articulation) will greatly speed up the healing and reduce the formation of scar tissue that might stiffen things up.  Opinions vary, but the last surgery I had was rather serious, and I was in the Therapist"s torture chamber three days out of the OR.  Then twice weekly for two months.

Almost good-as-new...... but the "talent transplant" portion didn't "take" so good.

on a side note - just noticed Doug that you are from Western Oregon.  My daughters in-laws live in Philomath - is that anywhere near where you are ?
Jim

Welcome to Chordie, Marshel ... and kudos to UJB for bringing you along.

Many guitarists have to make modifications to their playing style as time goes by to cope with things like CTS, arthritis (in my case), hand injuries, etc. The good news is that it can be done, and your PT should be able to recommend exercises which will be helpful. The hardest part is changing the way we've programmed our brain. Unlearning one habit in order to learn another requires some hard work. But since you enjoy playing ... that will be a labor of love. Here's a fairly in-depth article which you may find useful:

http://www.musicianshealth.com/CubitalTunnel.htm

About 10 miles as the crow flies..... my youngest son and his family live there, along with our newest Grand-daughter so we get over that way a bit.  That's pretty close.

Welcome to Chordie Marshel!  Any friend of UJB, is a friend of ours!  Hopefully this means we'll get to meet you either at the gathering we hold in NY or the one Joe does in PA!  By the time one or the other comes around, you should be healed up well by then and back at the strings! 

I haven't had surgery - but I know the beginnings of that evilness.  I had some problems at one point as I type - A LOT.  I was also working as a cosmetologist, so lots of repetitive hand movements.  I was using two hands to carry my coffee cup to prevent dropping them on the floor, I was wearing wrist splints at night, and compression sleeves during the day.  The numbness and pain was nerve wracking.  I found that better ergonomics made a lot of it go away, along with learning certain massage techniques in the hands to relieve pressure.  Now a days, it's a "so far, so good" type of deal - I don't have too many issues now.  However, it's probably only a matter of time before the issues begin again and I'll need the surgery as well because ergonomics can only go so far for hand related issues.  Thus far, it hasn't seemed to affect me when playing the guitar, my hands are more bothered by typing than anything else I do.  Every time it tries to start back up, I reassess my ergonomics and change a few things around.

My mother was a waitress from the 70's through the last few years.  You don't see it so often now, but up through the 90's when I was too a waitress it was no biggie to carry 8 plates on a big ole tray supported by your shoulder and wrist.  Or at a diner, to carry for plates balanced on one arm, wrist and hand!  She had surgery, at one point, took it easy with the trays and plates for about a year, and then went right back into carrying trays like she used to (maybe without the full 8 plates though on the big tray - that's a LOT of weight).  It worked wonders for her. 

Sounds like you'll be picking up your instruments soon enough!  Glad to have you aboard!

Great news. I got the guitar out to today to try it after surgery. Very pleased with the results. Sound wise a lot to work on, but fretting very very much better than when I gave it up 2 years ago. I was even able to fret the 12 string. A ways to go, but a lot better.

That's GREAT to hear!  Take it easy, and get back into it as you're able.  It sounds like things are looking up!