The Ovation Fan Club
The Ovation Fan Club
Forum Search | Statistics | User Listing Forums | Calendars | Albums | Language
Your are viewing as a Guest. ( logon | register )
NEW in 2026 Searches both the Ovation FanClub and Ovation Tribute websites

Random quote: "It's much too late to do anything about rock & roll now ..." - Jerry Garcia / Grateful Dead



Jump to page : 12
Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
Numbness in fingers on fret hand

View previous thread :: View next thread
   Members Forums -> General PostingMessage format
 
kitmann
Posted 2012-07-31 12:59 AM (#457174)
Subject: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227

Location: Connersville, Indiana

Al, Miles, I hope this is the right spot for this question.  I now have a pinched nerve in my elbow causing my left ring finger and pinky to be numb. So much so on the pinky it it very hard to feel the string under my finger. Doctor says it's a matter of an operation on my elbow to move the nerves.  Has anyone here had this problem and what is the caveat of having the operaton. I've been informed that if after healing it is till numb they may have to go back in again.  I have had more operations than a thanksgiving turkey do I risk this or adapt my playing with the limitations.  The ring finger is not near as bad as my pinky so I can still use most bar chords, with a slight adjustment.  I fianlly got the back tracks back from Harry for my new song Set me Free, and luckly I can play all three rhythem guitar parts with out my pinky.  I just want to put this here, we have so many members maybe someone has or had a similar problem and couold give me some feedback.

Al, Miles, if this is not the right spot for this let me know.

Thank you.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
stephent28
Posted 2012-07-31 1:15 AM (#457176 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066		Ulnar nerve

After surgery usually requires having your arm in a sling for a couple months and basically use it as little as you can. I suffer from it a lot and wake up most nights with my hand asleep and I have to flex it for a couple of minutes to get the feeling back. If I don't flex it, well it is not pretty when I try to use it the next day.

I have dealt with mine for a couple years now and somedays it is better than others but I have kept away from the surgery at this point....... If it continues to get worse I may reconsider.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
kitmann
Posted 2012-07-31 4:05 AM (#457182 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227

Location: Connersville, Indiana		Stephent thank you so much for your feedback. I really don't want to have another operation, but on the other hand I want to play the best I can. One day I just woke up with this, and I think I'll try and ride it out, do the best I can and if it come down to it, I guess I'll have to have the procedure. Thanks again brother. Hope you get to feeling better with out an operation.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
noah
Posted 2012-07-31 4:53 AM (#457183 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1673

Location: SoCal		Straight to surgery?
Has your Doc taken you through the non-surgical regime (identifying and correcting aggravating activities/postures, wearing a night splint, NSAIDs, exercises, etc.)? What's pissing-off your ulnar nerve... was it an injury, repetitive stress, cysts?

Work at finding out and minimizing the cause first. It might be as simple as not sleeping with your arm tightly bent underneath your head/pillow.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Designzilla
Posted 2012-07-31 7:16 AM (#457188 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand


Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150

Location: Orlando, FL		I 'm with Noah. Look for non-invasive solutions first if possible. Good luck Kit.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
MWoody
Posted 2012-07-31 8:06 AM (#457192 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997

Location: Upper Left USA		This getting old crap ain't for sissies. I'm working through Tennis Elbow (and of course, I don't play Tennis) in the Left arm and it is really a journey through everything Noah and Stephen have said. Save the surgery for last and identify the cause.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
MarkF786
Posted 2012-07-31 11:44 AM (#457197 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand


Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 97

Location: Marlton, NJ		I've suffered through these sorts of problems in the past and have had great success correcting the problem non-surgically. And yes, I tried a slew of physical therapy and various other "medical" approaches that didn't help. Here's what I'd suggest which has worked for me and other friends:

1. Read John Sarno's book Healing Back Pain. It's also applicable to various types of Repetitive Strain Injuries.

2. Take Alexander Technique lessons.

Probably either solution alone could address the problem, but combine the two for even greater effectiveness. I'd prefer this approach any day over going under the knife, which will lead to a lifetime of further problems.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
kitmann
Posted 2012-07-31 7:00 PM (#457218 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227

Location: Connersville, Indiana		Thanks everyone, It was the oddest thing, I just woke up one morning and my pinky all the way along the ridge of my hand was totally numb, my ring finger is maybe 30% numb. Been to my doc, did x-rays, no lumps or anything out of place in the elbow. I love my Doc, he is from India and has given me a whole bunch of non medical vitamins, Green tea from India and some rehabilitation books for this type of Injury. He is dumb founded why it has happened because there was no early signs of a pinched nerve. Twice a week I go to rehab where we do a slew of exercises, ice treatments, ect. Been to the Chiro, didn't help. I use to sleep with my hand under my pillow, now I try and keep it straight along side me when I sleep and have a brace to wear when I sleep. I'll look up those books Mark. Yeah Doc can not find any cysts, lumps or anything else. It's weird when messaged the elbow the numbness comes and goes in my fingers but it does not stay, not numb. I have changed my posture when playing my guitars, I don't lift anything heavy with just my left arm, and yeah getting old is really getting old. I have had to change the way I play some bar chords. Since I can't use my pinky I use my ring finger to bar both strings on certain chords where I would normally use my pinky. My doc also told me he had another patient that had a similar incident years ago and after 8 months or so, what ever was causing the pinched nerve stopped for not reason and the guys fingers were back to normal again. Karen and I have discussed it a lot and we are going to continue what we can with out surgery, unless more fingers start to go numb, and like my chest and everything else, I do what I can to try and work through it. Maybe I should take up playing a mandolin, you don't have to use your pinky on that do you? Again thanks everyone, been a big help to my mindset about this issue.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
MarkF786
Posted 2012-07-31 7:25 PM (#457219 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand


Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 97

Location: Marlton, NJ		From what you told me, I'd still strongly recommend reading Dr. John Sarno's book. It's cheaper (the cost of a book) and faster than another other treatment you'll find - and if you don't want to even spend the $6 on the book, just google "Healing Back Pain PDF" and you can download the book at from first link. There's a section in the book on Pinched Nerves, though you should read the whole book.

After years of pain in my hands, arms, and shoulder and seeing many doctors and trying various treatments, this was the only thing that cured my problems.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
kitmann
Posted 2012-07-31 7:54 PM (#457221 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227

Location: Connersville, Indiana		Thanks Mark I'll get the book for sure, my treatments the V.A. does so it dose not cost me anything, except gas. I'll check the book store for it. Thanks brother. Hell I would wear a dress if it would help.....LOL

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Darkbar
Posted 2012-07-31 8:04 PM (#457222 - in reply to #457221)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536

Location: Flahdaw
kitmann - 2012-07-31 8:54 PM

Hell I would wear a dress if it would help.....LOL


Slipkid wears a grass skirt and coconut bra.....result: zero finger numbness
Top of the page Bottom of the page
kitmann
Posted 2012-07-31 11:35 PM (#457233 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227

Location: Connersville, Indiana		I would wear a grass skirt, but I'm more of a banana type of guy if it would help.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
muzza
Posted 2012-08-01 3:52 AM (#457239 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736

Location: Sunshine State, Australia		I had a sore elbow for months that the doc couldn't find the cause of. One day it just stopped hurting - that was 10 years ago.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
kitmann
Posted 2012-08-01 4:40 AM (#457241 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227

Location: Connersville, Indiana		Muzza, I am really hoping that this issue is something like yours, where one day I wake up and its all ok again.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
muzza
Posted 2012-08-01 6:16 AM (#457245 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736

Location: Sunshine State, Australia		Fingers crossed for ya!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
SOBeach
Posted 2012-08-01 12:05 PM (#457266 - in reply to #457192)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand


Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 823

Location: sitting at my computer

MWoody - 2012-07-31 9:06 AM This getting old crap ain't for sissies..

man, ain't that the truth!!!

Good luck Kit. Hope it goes away as suddenly as it appeared.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
mbedard
Posted 2012-08-03 9:53 AM (#457325 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 247

Location: Seacoast NH

I severely lacerated the inside of my left forearm about 7 years ago in a construction accident and severed all the muscles and the Ulnar nerve bundle. Had exactly what you describe, but running almost all the way up to my elbow from my fingers. The doctors in Boston did a wonderful job repairing it, but said nerves can be tricky...sometimes they will heal and grow back with no permanent problems, other times the numbness and pain is there to stay. Gradually though, I would say over a year to a year and a half, I began to regain feeling, and today I have almost no side affects. Occasionally when rotating my wrist in an odd way while stretching to reach for something it feels almost like I hit my funny bone running up and down my whole arm, but everything else came back fine. Maybe a wait and see approach is worth a shot? Disclaimer: I am in no way qualified to recommend medical advice.

Here's my souvenir:



Edited by mbedard 2012-08-03 9:59 AM




(Arm.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Arm.jpg (63KB - 0 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
alpep
Posted 2012-08-03 11:45 AM (#457334 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ		eat at least one banana a day for potassium and drink plenty of water.

once in a while I get muscle cramps that shoot up my arm from the tip of my index and middle finger. after keeping hydrated and eating better It rarely happens

I know pinched nerves are different but good luck
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Mark in Boise
Posted 2012-08-03 1:37 PM (#457340 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761

Location: Boise, Idaho		I severely broke both bones in my left arm at the wrist. They didn't heal straight in the cast, so I had to have surgery to rebreak them and put in a plate. I also had ulnar nerve damage so the little finger and ring finger were numb and tingled. Physical therapy got most of the range of motion back, but not quite. The numbness went away, but the tingling is there occasionally. It might be there all the time, but I only notice it when I think of it.
Playing guitar was good therapy, but I think I compensated by keeping my wrist rather flat. It's fine until I play barre chords. My pointer finger angles across the fret so I don't often get a clean note off the low E string. My guitar teacher noticed it and is working on my to put my finger straight across, but I struggle getting my wrist to turn correctly. I'm trying to adjust the position of the guitar so that my fingers are more square with the neck, but it is definitely a struggle. Anyway, my nonmedical advice is to avoid surgery and work it as much as you can. I'm sure the two physical therapists in my family would agree. What Al says is also good. Lots of water helps avoid kidney stones, which I don't wish on anyone.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
dobro
Posted 2012-08-03 2:39 PM (#457343 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120

Location: Chicago		As per our last exchange, Kit. Be sure to keep taking a high dose (sublingual) B 12 supplement. It helped me a lot, although my neuropathy was more related to intense surgery, hospital and medication. Godspeed.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
kitmann
Posted 2012-08-03 4:51 PM (#457349 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227

Location: Connersville, Indiana		Wow you guys been through hell. But you keep going and thats what I'm going to do also. Greg, you know I didn't even think about the meds I'm taking, I'll have to bring that up. The V.A. has done a lot of changing of my medications and It didn't even dawn on me that there might be a connection. Its hard trying to change the way you play, even a little. I received the back tracks for my new song Set Me Free from Harry and I have been having a hell of a time getting the guitar parts right. I must of practiced each guitar part, (total of three different rhythm guitar parts) for hours. Then when I was laying down the tracks I kept making slight mistakes and have to start over again. But I finally got them done, now just record the vocal track and send it back to Harry. I was having real problems with the G and A bar chords, my pinky would drag across the strings, even through I was not using it. I used my ring finger to bar the A and D strings instead of using my pinky and I guess out of habit my pinky would rise and hit a string. So after many failures I used the open chords instead of the bar chords, its not the exact effect I was wanting to get but it works. Al, you must have a camera LOL in my house. I do eat a banana a day. and I drink nothing but water and maybe juice once in a while. I don't drink sodas, and very seldom drink a beer. Started doing that after my heart attack. Boy do I drink a lot of water. I keep taking the B 12 supplement and the vitamins that my doctor gave me plus one cup of India Green tea a day. I really want to thank all of you for you tips, advise and info on your own injuries, gives me hope and helps keep me in a positive frame of mind. Thank you.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
DaveKell
Posted 2012-08-09 12:25 PM (#457536 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand


Joined:
November 2011
Posts: 741

Location: Fort Worth, TX		I've read several comments suggesting trying anything before a surgical solution. I couldn't agree more. As a veteran of 18 major surgeries, I can honestly say around half of them were for complications of prior surgeries. Docs never tell you how nothing is ever the same after surgery - avoid one at all costs!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
TAFKAR
Posted 2012-08-09 5:37 PM (#457561 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985

Location: Sydney, Australia		+1, they always conveniently fail to mention stuff - chronic post surgical pain, loss of movement (stuff that wasn't a problem before surgery).
Top of the page Bottom of the page
DaveKell
Posted 2012-08-09 7:19 PM (#457570 - in reply to #457561)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand


Joined:
November 2011
Posts: 741

Location: Fort Worth, TX
richard.parker - 2012-08-09 5:37 PM

+1, they always conveniently fail to mention stuff - chronic post surgical pain, loss of movement (stuff that wasn't a problem before surgery).


Biggest area they forget to mention is complications from internal scar tissue, that's what has nearly killed me three times. I permanently live with chronic pain courtesy of five surgeons now. My advice is always to try and live somehow with whatever your problem is instead of going under the knife.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
kitmann
Posted 2012-08-10 2:59 AM (#457594 - in reply to #457174)
Subject: Re: Numbness in fingers on fret hand



Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227

Location: Connersville, Indiana		Dave, TAKFAR, thanks we have decided not to have the surgery, unless numbness starts to effect more fingers and more than just the bridge of my hand. Trust me, I'm almost doing just about what everyone has mentioned. I do have some days that are better than others. Last night I had to rerecord three rhythm tracks, two electric and one acoustic for the new song Set Me Free. Harry sent what I had already recorded back. I couldn't hear the mistakes I made with the back track playing while I played my guitar. When he was working on the mix he could hear a slight tap. Well when I went to play the same music, I noticed that my pinky, which some times I have no control over, would raise up while I was doing the fast chord progression for the verses, and my finger nail would tap the guitar. Since I already had to change using the G and A barre chords to open chords, I was really getting pissed. This song is going to be a hard rocking, southern rock/blues song and I wanted the guitars to be the best I could get them. So I ended up, taking stretch wrap and taping down my pinky on to the inside palm of my hand. Had to re apply it a couple of times to get it just right so I could play the guitars. It worked, the guitar tracks came out good, so I'm not totally happy because I could not use the barre chords I wanted, double picking them while sliding up from the G to the A but it will have to do. You guys are right about the doctors not telling you about everything that could be an issue with an operation. Working in hospitals as a volunteer EMT while I was a Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff, I use to see that omission of information used too many times, and with have 5 major operations, I was on the receiving end of that. My Doc did tell me that if they went in to move the nerve group, I may have to have a second operation if they didn't collect all the nerves. So unless this get worse, I'll just do what I have to so I can keep playing. Changing holding and playing positions, When I write, attempt to write using chords where I don't have to use my pinky, the song I'm currently writing will be a softer ballad so I'm using in the verses
D, Dsus2, Asus4#5add12, Dsus2, Asus4#5add12, Em11/A, EmM#13#9sus4/a The last chord is a bit of a stretch and I use to use my pinky to make it easier, but I practice this progress with out the pinky so I don't make as many mistakes as normal. Thanks everyone
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1 2
Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

This message board and website is not sponsored or affiliated with Ovation® Guitars in any way.
Registered to: The Ovation Fanclub™ Copyright (c) 2001
free counters
(Delete all cookies set by this site)