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temporary paralysis in hand and arm while playing guitar

When I've played my guitar for a while, my arm and hand become temporary paralyzed.  My fingers on my left hand retract into a claw position and pain radiates in the center of my arm.  I can't move my hand, fingers, or arm for a few minutes.  This has been happening  frequently for the last 2-3 years.  I've played guitar most of my life so I'm a bit baffled as to why this is occurring.  Anyone know what this is?
Best Answer
4851940 tn?1515694593
Although some hand and arm pain can be due to problems in the cervical area, because you have been playing guitar for a long time, this is likely to be what is referred to as repetitive strain injury.  

If you also have a job that requires a lot of repetitive use of your hands and arms, this will also add to your problem.

I have not been able to play my guitar for years due to wrist and hand problems and just holding down the strings for a few seconds gives me a lot of problems in my hand, fingers and wrist.  

You should make an appointment to see your doctor to arrange an xray of your neck area and have nerve conduction tests to see if you do have carpal tunnel problems.  Nerves can get compressed in the carpal tunnel causing hand, wrist and arm problems.  Overuse of the tendons in your arm can also cause a lot of problems (tenosynovitis).  You may need to have a complete break from playing and stop any repetitive use of that arm.  

Wear a support strap or buy a wrist splint (these come in different sizes and Velcro to keep it in place).  Your doctor may give your advice with regard to this.  This will immobilise the wrist area keeping it straight to allow healing.  It may be that as you have had the condition for a very long time now, you may need more help than just wearing a splint.

You may find wearing wrist supports helpful, but unfortunately you may have to limit your guitar playing or stop altogether as well as any repetitive work, as frustrating and annoying as this is.

Sorry!  
Get checked out to get the correct diagnosis and take it from there.

Let me know how you get on.

Best wishes.

15 Responses
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Avatar universal
Great advice! I'll definitely have to try these tests.  Thanks again for your help.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
The medical term for low levels of calcium in the blood is referred to as hypocalcemia.  
Helpful - 0
144586 tn?1284666164
You do not have carpal tunnel syndrome and a splint is not appropriate.

The presentation is textbook for low low blood calcium secondary to low D3 levels with magnesium deficiency. The "claw" is known as Trousseau's sign, named after Dr. Armond Trousseau, who first made the diagnosis.

There are two simple diagnostic procedures you can perform in your home.

The first test is as follows:

(1) Place a blood pressure cuff over your calf.

(2) Gradually increase pressure, noting the first sign of cramping.

(3) As long as you are not experiencing cramping continue to 220 ,Hg.

(a) If you experience cramping between 180-220 you have low levels of calcium
(b) If you have cramping below 180 mHg you have extremely low calcium levels.

TEST TWO

(1) Take your blood pressure with an arm cuff and not the lower and higher numbers.
(2) Now reinflate the cuff to 90 mm above the higher number, completely occluding the brachial artery.
(3) Wait three full minutes.
(4) If the hand cramps into a claw there is a definitive diagnosis of tetany secondary to low blood calcium levels.

The solution is a simple calcium supplement (and a magnesium supplement) every day and the problem should be cleared up in a month. No surgery. No exercises. You will then begin to play the guitar normally again.

You also need to get an inexpensive D3 level test. The problem can be related to abnormal D3 levels. If levels are below 30 you need a D3 supplement. They often prescribe once-a-week 50,000 IU capsules for this purpose.

These are the appropriate tests to start with before wasting time and energy on unnecessary radiation exposure, CT's or MRI's.

If low calcium levels are rules out we can consider spinal stenosis.







Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
I agree that seeing a doctor is what you must do and this is what I strongly advised.

It is only by being seen by a doctor will go be able to get referred to have the appropriate test and get the correct diagnosis and hence the appropriate treatment.

Best of luck and a speedy recovery.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
An MRI sounds appropriate.  Thank you for your suggestion.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks again for your response.  I think seeing a doctor is what I'll have to
do.  Getting a lot of conflicting advice.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your detailed response.  I didn't think an x-ray sounded right for nerve issues.  An MRI seems appropriate.  Hopefully, it's as simple as Hypocalcemia as you suggested.  
Helpful - 0
144586 tn?1284666164
Your symptoms are characteristic of a pinched nerve secondary to spinal stenosis.

An x-ray is nor appropriate for differential diagnosis. You need, as kristy12 stated, an MRI. Do not "arrange an x-ray".

A wrist or arm splint splint is not appropriate and will only lead to a frozen shoulder and further pain.

In general, if you lie down flat on your back when you have this problem and someone gently pulls youe head upwards along the axis of the spine (providing axial traction) and the problem diminishes, you have defined the issue.

In general, the treatment is intermitant axial traction 6-10 minutes in duration, with rest periods several times a day, and an anti-inflammatory. Often this involves a single injection of a steroid into the back of the neck. DSMO and MSM will also help. And range of motion exercises of the head. The axial traction devices are harnesses that pull the head upwards along the axis of the spine, separating the vertebra and allowing swelling to go down.

A MRI should be taken before initiating treatment.

There is another possibility. The retraction of the hand into the claw position and the pain is characteristic of hypocalcemia, secondary to low calcium levels of inadequate D3. So a D3 level test should be requested. Both the pain and the claw retraction can be due to hypocalcemia. Blood levels below 5 (normal is 30 or above) will sometimes produce these symptoms.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Yes, get the wrist splint, but do not delay in seeing your doctor.

It is not as simple as that.

I've been there, done that, had the tests, blabla

You need a proper diagnosis and the correct treatment, whether it is the splints, pain relief, anti-inflammatory, cider vinegar, cold compresses, complete rest, corrective surgery if all fails,  it is imperative you get this matter seen to.

Neglecting to do so, and ignoring the symptoms and carrying on as normal can make the condition much worse to the point where there will be no recovery.  It is so disheartening and frustrating when you cannot play the instrument you so love due to tendon/muscle and nerve damage.

As you are strapped for cash at the moment, but can afford to get some wrist supports, that is better than nothing.  But at the same time, refrain from using that arm/hand/fingers.  Repetitive Strain Injury is also referred to as Upper Limb Disorder and in includes our fingers hands, arms, shoulders (I can't remember now if it does include the neck).    What you don't want is to end up losing the control to use of your hand completely, which can happen.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and many more years of guitar playing when you are better.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your response.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your timely response.  Someone mentioned trying a wrist splint, so I'll give it a try.  If this doesn't remedy the problem, I'll have see a doctor for x-rays as you suggested.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your prompt and thorough response.  I'll try the wrist splint as you suggested.  If that doesn't seem to help,  I'll have to see a doctor (when I can afford one).  Cheers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It could be related to cervical or even a pinched nerve. If the problem with your arm and hand occurs only when you play the guitar and it hasnt gotten worse in the last year or so, then brain and degenerative motor neuron diseases can be ruled out. The amount of information you have provided, its difficult to deduce whether the Problem is in your spine, vertebrates(neck area) or your wrist. Get an X-ray of the neck region and maybe even of your wrist. If they are okay, then consult a neurologist, otherwise an orthopedic expert. Maybe you just need physiotherapy. All that depends on the test results.
Helpful - 0
1751596 tn?1406773160
I would begin with ordering a cervical spine mri.
Helpful - 0
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