I'm not sure this belongs in "health concerns..." but perhaps someone will find this helpful:
I'm 54. Overall fit and healthy.
Normal for me was within minutes of getting on the bike, my right hand would hurt, and become numb. After riding, esp if it was a long day on the bike, it would be swollen and sore. When I rode from central OK to the rockies over the summer I had to ice my hand and it hurt so much I couldn't sleep. I have grip puppies, MCL risers, and a throttle boss, all of which helped. I totally relied on the throttle boss to hold the throttle open, and was constantly moving my hand and re-gripping so I could continue my rides.. gripping with pinkie, index finger, alternating, heel of hand only, anything to alleviate the discomfort.
fast forward:
my wife and I are both professional musicians, same age. She is a violinist, I am a trumpeter. She had her right hand (bow arm) done 3 months ago by a renowned hand surgeon who does it endoscopically, meaning, a very small incision in the palm and a very small incision in the fold of the wrist. Incision recovery is a matter of about 6 days, one stitch each. They slice the carpal tendon in two, which is about 1 1/2" wide and spans across the heel of your hand, and they leave it cut in two. So that part takes 4 weeks to heal, but the whole works is totally no big deal to survive.
Because she had it done, I talked to the doc, he examined me, and said I had moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome. He noted that I was already losing muscle mass in my thumb, nerve response wasn't right, and it would only get worse in time.
So 3 weeks ago today I had my right hand done. Since I could not ride for a time I had my seat Spencerized. It arrived today from him (fantastic service btw), and since it was 3 weeks (only hurrying the process by one week [!!]) I put the seat back on and took my first ride post surgery.
I rode for 90 minutes on two lane country roads, fast and slow, curvy roads, etc.. and ZERO pain or numbness in my right hand. I am thrilled. This changes everything for me.
In fact, I pulled over and removed the throttle boss as it was irritating one of my incisions, put it in the glove box in the fairing, and rode 45 minutes back w/o it, gripping the throttle the whole way, ZERO discomfort. Hooray!
sorry for the long post... but if you are having probs with your hands, see about finding a doctor that can do the "Chow" endoscopic method. It's a good deal.
best - KS
I'm 54. Overall fit and healthy.
Normal for me was within minutes of getting on the bike, my right hand would hurt, and become numb. After riding, esp if it was a long day on the bike, it would be swollen and sore. When I rode from central OK to the rockies over the summer I had to ice my hand and it hurt so much I couldn't sleep. I have grip puppies, MCL risers, and a throttle boss, all of which helped. I totally relied on the throttle boss to hold the throttle open, and was constantly moving my hand and re-gripping so I could continue my rides.. gripping with pinkie, index finger, alternating, heel of hand only, anything to alleviate the discomfort.
fast forward:
my wife and I are both professional musicians, same age. She is a violinist, I am a trumpeter. She had her right hand (bow arm) done 3 months ago by a renowned hand surgeon who does it endoscopically, meaning, a very small incision in the palm and a very small incision in the fold of the wrist. Incision recovery is a matter of about 6 days, one stitch each. They slice the carpal tendon in two, which is about 1 1/2" wide and spans across the heel of your hand, and they leave it cut in two. So that part takes 4 weeks to heal, but the whole works is totally no big deal to survive.
Because she had it done, I talked to the doc, he examined me, and said I had moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome. He noted that I was already losing muscle mass in my thumb, nerve response wasn't right, and it would only get worse in time.
So 3 weeks ago today I had my right hand done. Since I could not ride for a time I had my seat Spencerized. It arrived today from him (fantastic service btw), and since it was 3 weeks (only hurrying the process by one week [!!]) I put the seat back on and took my first ride post surgery.
I rode for 90 minutes on two lane country roads, fast and slow, curvy roads, etc.. and ZERO pain or numbness in my right hand. I am thrilled. This changes everything for me.
In fact, I pulled over and removed the throttle boss as it was irritating one of my incisions, put it in the glove box in the fairing, and rode 45 minutes back w/o it, gripping the throttle the whole way, ZERO discomfort. Hooray!
sorry for the long post... but if you are having probs with your hands, see about finding a doctor that can do the "Chow" endoscopic method. It's a good deal.
best - KS
