Sailing the Carpal Tunnel
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:24 amWhen I first started sailing the Gorge my arms would give out first and I would know when my body had had enough. Then I joined an exercise club and worked hard on the upper body strength during the winters. Then it was my legs that would give out first.
I worked furiously on the legs this last winter. I sailed 16 of 18 days in the Gorge in July, usually 4 to 5 hours/day, and used one of the down days for white water rafting. Neither arms or legs gave out. But my hands kept going to sleep at night and I have now been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. I don’t think I will work this out at the club.
The doctor says they are having great luck with a very simple surgery, cutting the tendon that squeezes the nerves to the hand. I opted for first trying the night splints and that seems to be helping. But, in the long run, I am wondering if I shouldn’t try the surgery. Has anyone had experience with this? It is hard to believe the tendon they cut doesn’t have an important function. Since music and piano playing are great joys in my life I don’t want to take unnecessary risk.
I worked furiously on the legs this last winter. I sailed 16 of 18 days in the Gorge in July, usually 4 to 5 hours/day, and used one of the down days for white water rafting. Neither arms or legs gave out. But my hands kept going to sleep at night and I have now been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. I don’t think I will work this out at the club.
The doctor says they are having great luck with a very simple surgery, cutting the tendon that squeezes the nerves to the hand. I opted for first trying the night splints and that seems to be helping. But, in the long run, I am wondering if I shouldn’t try the surgery. Has anyone had experience with this? It is hard to believe the tendon they cut doesn’t have an important function. Since music and piano playing are great joys in my life I don’t want to take unnecessary risk.