Playing Days May Be Numbered...

[J7string]

Or I'll have to change my style. I think that latter may be the best option at this point. But there is a serious issue concerning my guitar playing.

A few years ago I broke my arm and the ulna bone shifted slightly and didn't show in the x-rays, and as my arm healed, it healed that way and became "normal." I first noticed how different my arm looked, and that the bone at the wrist had been protruding a bit more than it should be until about a year ago. I noticed some wrist pain in that area if I lifted things a certain way, but nothing drastic so I didn't think anything of it (this is my picking hand, mind you). It wasn't until a few months ago my wrist really started bothering me, and even playing guitar fast like I like to would bother it after a while. I've been considering completely changing my style because I don't want to stop playing guitar, but I was concerned if this will get any worse. Even just doing nothing, my wrist will ache a little.

I saw a doctor, and he said there's pretty much nothing that can be done. If at some point I have to quit guitar, so be it, but for now... This is quite depressing for me.

 

[Noisy Humbucker]

Second opinion. ALWAYS get a second opinion, especially on something like this. Best of luck to you.

 

[broj15]

Second opinion. ALWAYS get a second opinion, especially on something like this. Best of luck to you.

this. See if you can get an appointment with an orthopedist (hand/foot doctor). They would probably know of solutions a regular doctor might not know about/ be willing to try.

 

[Necris]

Seconding a second opinion.

I'm not a doctor, however, I wouldn't recommend continuing playing as you normally do for the time being. Depending on how the bone is affecting the other parts of your hand and wrist (muscles, tendons etc.) it could potentially get progressively worse and begin to affect more than just your guitar playing.

If it really can't be fixed then you're going to have to spend a lot of time learning how your arm feels in certain positions for extended periods and finding the most comfortable playing position that causes you as little discomfort as possible.

After doing that then you will have to begin essentially relearning to play, finding a hand position that allows proper picking technique without discomfort,working to minimize any stress in your arm/wrist/shoulder while playing and slowly working your speed up.

 

[Hollowway]

Yeah, get a second opinion and ask about surgery or de dealing it to reset it properly. I don't know squat about it, but I've heard of people doing both.

 

[Icecold]

Second opinion. ALWAYS get a second opinion, especially on something like this. Best of luck to you.

I know everyone else here is saying that same thing and I absolutely agree with them. If there is any possibility of physical therapy go for it! I hope all of this works out for the best, man.

 

[Exiterrr]

I have Carpal Tunnel in both of my wrists and though it is not the same thing as you, I feel for you man. Ive had it since I was 16 or so (I'm 32 now) and my wrists ache doing nothing let alone, playing guitar. I never could play fast due to my condition.

Hope your wrists dont stop you from playing. May the farce be with you.

 

[Unjustly-Labeled]

If it's only a problem in your picking arm, you can still learn to do what this guy does:

So even if it's permanent, all hope is not lost!

 

[Zer01]

I have Carpal Tunnel in both of my wrists and though it is not the same thing as you, I feel for you man. Ive had it since I was 16 or so (I'm 32 now) and my wrists ache doing nothing let alone, playing guitar. I never could play fast due to my condition.

Hope your wrists dont stop you from playing. May the farce be with you.

I had this too. I had surgery on both last year and it took care of everything. No more tingling. I have a related condition in my fingers though. The Dr. called it trigger finger. Since I'm 40 now, I have to be realistic - I'm never going to be great at guitar.

 

[soluteyoth]

good info,They would probably know of solutions a regular doctor might not know about/ be willing to try.thanks

 

[octatoan]

Christian Muenzer says you can.

 

[Cyn__Theia]

Christian Muenzer says you can.

I get your point, but I think that's an entirely different condition. Maybe the OP can look to him though as a good motivator to power through and try to figure out a way to keep playing?

I really do feel for you, J7string. Whenever I read something like this (and even in relation to Christian Muenzer's condition, as Awesoham mentioned) I envision what it would be like to be in that situation and it terrifies me. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't play guitar or learned that my time was limited and that I may one day not be able to...and I hate to hear these kind of things happening to anyone.

I also remember reading/hearing in an interview (I'm really frustrated that I can't find the source at the moment) with Marty Friedman that before he went in to record for a Megadeth album, he had a doctor tell him that he only had a limited amount of time left to play guitar and to not play at all if he could help it. Marty continued to explain that he had to record for the album the next day and did so. Aside from that, he still plays to this day. So a second (or even a third) opinion and therapy seems like a hopeful proposition!

 

[redstone]

Show your picking technique.

 

[J7string]

Thanks everyone. It would do some good to seek out or get referred to a specialist to get a better opinion of what's really going on between where the bone meets my wrist. My only concern is that it's been like this for almost 4 years. But... I'll reserve any further concern for when I actually get seen.

 

[Noxon]

I don't know what I would do if I couldn't play guitar. I feel for you, man. I hope it all works out and everything is alright.

 

[Noisy Humbucker]

You might be surprised at what they can do as far as corrective surgery these days, it's pretty crazy. It might be a long road to recovery but I wouldn't count yourself out yet.

 

[J7string]

I don't know what I would do if I couldn't play guitar. I feel for you, man. I hope it all works out and everything is alright.

I'd definitely be bummed if at some point it affected my guitar to the point I couldn't play, but I'd still have singing, so I wouldn't be lost musically.

You might be surprised at what they can do as far as corrective surgery these days, it's pretty crazy. It might be a long road to recovery but I wouldn't count yourself out yet.

Yeah, I'm curious what the options could be. It both worries and intrigues me because surgery always put me off.

 

[Necris]

I get your point, but I think that's an entirely different condition. Maybe the OP can look to him though as a good motivator to power through and try to figure out a way to keep playing?

Focal Dystonia is somewhat similar to this in the sense that it has ended the careers of a number of musicians, and that it is possible, with significant effort and retraining, to overcome it.

The difference is that OPs issue is physical and may be able to be corrected by surgical means, Focal Dystonia is thought to be neurological, surgery won't fix it and there is no known cure.

With guitarists Focal Dystonia affects the hands, your hand(s) will no longer do what you tell it/them to, your fingers will seize up, stick out, curl in etc. making it difficult to play. I've seen it called "Musicians Cramp".

It's odd too since it's generally task specific, so as a guitarist your hands may work fine in day to day life, you could even play another instrument like piano without issue, but your hands will not function properly when you play guitar. Sometimes something as simple as wearing a glove the affected hand will somehow fool your brain (I have no idea how it works) and you can play normally, but other times the only answer is completely retraining yourself to play the instrument, including altering and refining technique, which a few musicians have done and been able to continue their careers.

In the case that surgery isn't an option if the OP is willing to put in the effort, and accept the that playing as fast as he once did may not be possible (he could learn to play faster, who knows?) there is the possibility that he could retrain himself and continue playing for many years to come.

 

[80H]

disclaimer: I am neither a doctor nor a lawyer, and I am merely speaking from my own personal experiences. Anything I present here are simply opinions formed from those experiences, and they may be of value to you.

Corrective/3D Printed bracings are looking promising. I am sure there are organizations that are looking for someone like you to test what they're doing, and it might even be paid for.


The idea is that our entire bone structure system is similar to our teeth: it will change shape if supported properly. Most common casts simply cannot conform as precisely as our bodies are set up. If one of your bones needs a 33.2210193 degree angle to distribute weight properly under the effects of gravity, much of your body will have to change if it is set to 28.1434034 degrees. Your bone structure has to constantly deal with the forces of gravity, so every change will affect the rest of your body.





Also, another question: did the doctor you see also have an involvement in your treatment? In other words, did you go to the same general facility or see the same doctor to talk about your arm? He may be biased and not on your team at all. Sorry to be the one to tell you this, but after a fair amount of experience with the financial side of the medical system, this is more common than anyone in the industry is likely to admit.

The reason I ask this is that this may fall under medical malpractice, which is a very serious, very common issue in our health and legal system. It is not taken lightly. It can be difficult to get a doctor to testify against another doctor, but if you can find a good malpractice lawyer, he may have a source that can verify whether or not your arm was improperly managed. If that is the case, you are absolutely entitled to payments related to any further treatment of your arm as well as reparations for your pain & suffering, especially if you can prove that guitar is something you love and you've been troubled because of it.


Maybe see if you can find a medical facility that is testing 3D printed, correctional casts? ... or lawyer up. If they f*cked your arm, they owe you money. This is not "This is america, lets sue em!!!" this is: holy sh!t, someone literally deformed me through improper medical care that I was expected to pay for and it has jeopardized my quality of life.

 

[chickenxnuggetz91]

Never give up, dude.