Post CTS op.
I am having the op. on my left hand Saturday 23rd June. I am right handed and am supposed to play tennis on Sunday the 1st July. I would like to know if this would be possible or totally stupid.
Thanks for that. It is serious tennis South Wales over 60s against Devon. I had an injection in my right hand which is OK but I am now getting more numbness in the thumb.
Interesting question certainly. Are you a 2-handed backhand person? If the racket grip is purely right handed then it might be possible to play 8 days after surgery to the non-dominant hand, depending to some extent on how quickly you heal and how much interference with your standard of play you can tolerate. The modest left hand grip required to hold one ball for serving may be only marginally impaired by 8 days post op if you are lucky.... but if you are unlucky it may still be too uncomfortable for you to do that at all and my guess is that you cannot use the sort of alternative service method described in the previous post. If you are able to use the hand to serve, the main risk would then be the possibility of falling onto it and tearing the scar open and you would have to judge the size of that risk from your previous playing experience. I think you should have a stand-in team member available and reach a decision whether to play or spectate on the day more or less. Let us know how it goes please (the score even!). JB
Will my hand be immobile for long after the op. will I be able to move the fingers or be able to hold it open and flat.
The practice of individual surgeons varies somewhat. Most people use a bulky dressing for one or two days only after surgery, leaving only a simple skin dressing after that, and it is fairly generally agreed that it is a good thing to keep the fingers moving after surgery to prevent adhesions forming in the tunnel so you should be positively encouraged to move them. A few patients however do get considerable scar pain and tenderness after the op so you could be unlucky. JB
Hi,
I had op on left hand June 8th, played tennis less than a week later. Depends what level, I just played social tennis or knocked up with a friend and served either underhand or by throwing ball up with racket to serve. No problems but had to remember not to catch ball etc with left hand.
I don't think "serious" tennis is a good idea for a while. I am having my stitches looked at, snipped this afternoon, and will ask when I can use left hand to hold ball etc.
Good luck !
John
ps-due to have right hand done soon !