The Steel Guitar Forum

After being referred to an orthopedic hand specialist, I was diagnosed with hand dystonia, which there really isn't treatment and carpel tunnel syndrome in both wrists. The doctor said the surgery for the carpel tunnel is a very simple procedure, that will eliminate the numbness associated with CTS and actually provide relief to my shoulders, arms and hands. While viewing the nerve being pinched and outside the carpel tunnel via sonogram,I grasp the problem. I gained temporary relief from an injection to the tunnel and it felt much better for about two weeks.

My question, who else has dealt with hand dystonia and/or carpel tunnel syndrome and can you offer any advice, pro, or con?

Thanks

I had it in my right hand , very painful, I had an operation on it just a local injection no pain , a few weeks later it was back to normal../.

John Roche wrote:I had it in my right hand , very painful, I had an operation on it just a local injection no pain , a few weeks later it was back to normal../.

I had open release on my left hand... it's now stronger than my right. There is a laparoscopic option (Brown Hand Clinic)... it's not full open release, and it's done under general anesthesia... but you get your hand back much quicker (less than a week) as opposed to about a month with open release. Much more expensive, too, if that's a concern.

I had the laproscopic and an ulner nerve release in my left hand and elbow. The ulner nerve was probably a bigger deal to me than the wrist. You could use your hand in about a day or so, but took about six months to get 100%. It will be a year in December for me, and I'm good as gold! One of the best things I ever did.

Good luck with it. I wish you the best.

Mack

Isn't the laparoscopic procedure covered by major medical? If less invasive and quicker recovery, seems that would be the route to take. I guess it can vary from state to state what's covered, or not regards to insurance.

I think a laparoscopic procedure with a week recovery sounds good.

Thanks to all!

Focal dystonia is tricky to overcome because, as I understand it, the issue is neurological. Though I've dealt with numerous hand issues, I've never suffered from FD, but I knew a trombonist who mitigated its effects on his embouchure with a singing technique he developed.
I just did some googling and apparently this gentleman, classical guitarist David Leisner, developed his own technique to battle hand dystonia and successfully cured himself. Maybe you could find some help from his articles.

First, I had a Ganglion Cyst that finally required surgery then later carpal tunnel surgery. The last surgery was in August of 2011 and I now back to about 80%.. It generally takes about twenty minutes into the first set before it opens up for the night then it is only about 80%. What speed I had is gone.(it wasn't much to start with). The best therapy post surgery is to play the steel and work that hand but some take longer to get back. I have been promised that it will return to 100%.....I now have my doubts...........you will learn to do things differently and I hope everyone that has this problem picks with guys like I get to pick with.....worth their weight in gold.

Yes, Focal Hand Dystonia, or "Musician's" Dystonia, as it is sometimes known, is a real bummer. I developed it in my right hand a couple of years ago when I started having difficulty playing things that used to come very easily to me. It progressed rapidly until I reached the point where I could barely play at all. Somehow, I was spared the use of my thumb and index finger so I made some pretty radical adjustments to my technique and was eventually able to go back to work. The bands that I play with require some pretty demanding and challenging steel guitar playing, so it's no small miracle that I can work at all! In the meantime I am also seeking some kind of therapy in an attempt to recover what I lost through this ordeal. I was referred to this lady;

http://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/detail/242


a trombonist who suffered a similar form of dystonia and has devoted her life to helping musicians with this disorder. Keep us posted of any progress you make.

You might check out or get in touch with the Golandsky Institute.

http://www.golandskyinstitute.org/about/who_we_can_help

Folks, I appreciate all the links and feedback. I was hoping that the Carpel Tunnel procedure would alleviate most of my issues. Maybe some, but the dystonia is a real downer. It is getting worse and I am going to try several of the approaches from the links provided.

I'll speak up if something helps. Apparently, focal dystonia isn't that uncommon.

Thanks to all!

Listen Guys I wrote about this a cpl times .
I HAD a LARGE Gangleon cyst on my hand that was diagnosed as Carpal tunnel OK SURGERY NEEDED!!!.
I heard about Ultrasound like Chiropractors use. i went to one he used it on my hand one time, the cyst totally went AWAY Gone that was over 20 YEARS ago never has came back Thanks but no surgery on my hands ...

I have nerve problems all the way up my left arm; my vertebrae tilted, neck fused in 2002; thoracic outlet syndrome, from 40 years of P-bass; carpal tunnel in both hands, a trigger finger on the left recently fixed. I did have the carpal tunnel operation on my left hand, BUT: that was only after the cortisone shot didn't work for more than a few days.

If your shot works for two weeks, it means the blockage isn't necessarily permanent or irreversible. Now, I would "do the carpel" for me again in a second. But, if I were you and I could make the insurance work for it (your dox will likely agree) - I would get another cortisone shot and then have another nerve conductivity test done 2 or 3 days after. If the blockage isn't showing then, I would do all the other stuff first before cutting - wrist brace, topical anti-inflammatory gel (Voltaren), change of habits, warming up the hand before playing (not just stretching, that too - but actually warming it, with a heating pad).

Measure twice, umm, cut once? Measure once, fooled me again, measure thrice, cut none? Ya, THERE we go! Damn I'd be a good Predznit.

I had Carpal Tunnel Release done on both hands. Trigger thumb release too.Where they ground down the bone to let the inflamed tendon move over it. All from screwing too much. Not that kind of screwing( Aircraft Mechanics just don't get the chicks!) Nuts and bolts screwing. I'm not convinced that simply putting my hand in a cast and resting it for 6 months wouldn't have done as much good. Don't laugh now. Yoga helps.Chiropractor helps. Juicing helps. Limit your salt intake and I mean eliminate salt, caffeine and nicotine intake if you partake.Get plenty of sleep.Choose your other hobbies with your hands in mind.

I have been very cognizant of warming up my hands/wrists with heat, stretching, sleeping in a different posture, etc. A lot of the recommendations came from links in this thread. I actually can tell some improvement. Hopefully, it will continue to get better.

I've had my share of surgeries, but not on my hands, or wrists. I'm going to stay the current path and see if progress continues.

Thanks guys!

Good Luck sir. You can definitely overcome your CTS. Dystonia is a tougher one but it has been done. If you do conquer it I'd sure like to know how you did it.

Everything I've read and from what the doctor said, a lot of it has to do with repetition and posture. We all have a tendency to pronate as we get older. That really has a negative impact on our nerves, which come from the brain through the spinal column, to the extremities. It can impact shoulders, elbows, back, neck and yes, hands and wrists. So, I am making a conscious effort to watch how I sit, how I rest my arms and hands (orientation should be palm up and stretched out). Between my work, hanging on the steering wheel, music, golf, fishing, etc., there is a lot of repetition in bad posture and hands/wrists movement. So, we'll see if bad habits can be broke. I'll keep you posted.

I had carpal tunnel release surgery in both hands 10 or more years ago and it was the best thing I have done for my health......

I've been diagnosed with focal dystonia in my right hand. My Neurologist currently has me takeing Clonozepam, which seems to help a little but not alot.My problems started apx. six years ago, by not being able to hold a pen, affecting my ability to write. About a year ago it progressed to the point where I could'nt hardly play my steel. Things that used to be simple were now impossible! My doctor said the problem stems from the same part of the brain as Parkinsons disease. He also said if meds don't help,he could give Botox injections while performing an EMG,to determine where togive the shots.Even so the shots only last about three months and cost around 3 grand!

Rick, I'm sorry to hear that. I've had to face the same options, mainly drugs and I don't see the point and couldn't afford it anyway. I'm really fortunate to be able to still play as much as I can, so I'm just rolling with it. If this thing gets into my thumb and/or index finger, I'm washed up as a musician. I wish you the best, sir, and I'm sorry for anyone that's had to deal with this truly frustrating affliction.

After my neck twisted I had to face a big pile of pain, and one thing I put myself through was an "allergy diet." AKA Allergy-Avoidance Diet, Elimination diet etc. You basically go through the fridge and cupboards, write down everything you eat, divide it into categories, and stop eating a category for two weeks (or a month). There are several foods that puff people right up with arthritis if they're susceptible, but a lot of subtle half-effects too. Like the potato/tomato/bell pepper allergy - you may have it moderately, so a single dose only irritates a bit. But if you eat hash browns, then a salad with bell peppers & tomatoes, then another potato with dinner - zoink!

It takes about three months because you have to repeat findings to prove them, but it has been transformative for some people, and just a bit more comfort for others. And there are a million people on the internet who want to SELL you something - imagine that!

Dr. told me yrs ago, I was the worst case of carpal tunnel he'd ever seen, and I needed surgery to correct it. After holding paint brushes, rollers, and a spray gun, and then playing guitar and steel on the weekends, my hands would go numb at the drop of a hat. I never did have surgery, but I did change my diet. If I stay away from sugar, salt, cokes, eat good food, get some rest, I can play all night without any problems. And the fact that I'm now retired from painting is a big plus. Sometimes I don't think about what I am eating, and I'll scarf down pizza, and by the time I get to the gig, my hands are stinging. And it's really hard to pick with numb hands.

I had CT release surgery on both hands four years ago(not at the same time as it takes awhile to heal enough to use the hand) My main question to the Doc was "Will I lose any manual dexterity"? He said no and he was right. In my case the surgery was a success. Thanks for posting this and keep us posted on your progress!