Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and a Closed Hand Bridge.

DJSTEVEZ

DJSTEVEZ

Professor of Human Moves
Silver Member
I've had difficulty (discomfort) with a closed hand bridge most of my pool playing years. I recently had it confirmed by an MD that I have moderate to severe Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Looking back I've had some of the symptoms for as far back as I can remember. Hmmm.

Has anyone here had difficulty with their closed hand bridge who also has Carpel Tunnel Syndrome?
 
No, but I used a closed hand bridge until an instructor told me I had a crappy closed bridge. He had me work on an open bridge. I learned later on that I also had a crappy instructor. Anyway, I got pretty comfortable with the open bridge.

Now I have arthritis in both wrists and both thumbs. I am really working on flexing my hand enough for a closed bridge when it would be a better option. I'm not doing too well with that.

Like DJ, if anybody has any answers to this I sure would like to hear it. My left hand/wrist always hurts. Its just a question of how much.
 
Yes, I had difficulty the last couple of years using a closed bridge, the only bridge I've ever used for over 45 plus years. The strangulation of my wrist became so severe, I went and had the surgery. I had my bridge hand done 14 months ago and I can finally make a closed bridge again. However in the mean time, I learned to shoot with an open bridge exclusively and I LOVE it. Now it has been 2 months since my other hand underwent CT surgery and tendon reconstruction. I hope to God I can get back to shooting again soon. Don't be afraid of the surgery, but the healing time could be well over a year as it was with me on my left{bridge} hand and will see how long it takes on my right hand. Good luck with whichever route you choose but try an open bridge, and maybe you can relieve the pressure in your CT enough to avoid surgery. Jack
 
I had work related(CNC) carpel tunnel years ago.... very painful.

Constant knob and dial turning for years, then one day if I turn my wrist a certain way, it felt like needles stabbing my wrist. Mine was right at the base of my thumb were it connects to my wrist. Anyone that has had it knows how painful this can be..

The one thing that helped the most, was a bowling glove that I wore at night while sleeping.Big stiff Fiberglass inserted glove, I wore it for about 6 weeks. Used my other had for six weeks at work, and it finally went away. My doctor was the one who recommended the glove.

I would absolutely keep seeing a doctor and/or therapist and give up shooting for awhile.... it will not get better if you keep aggravating it by playing, and can cause permanent damage to your tendons. There are exercises the physical therapist can give you that will help. Also ask him about electrical muscle stimulation...it may help.


Good Luck.
 
I have allways used an open bridge so I had no problem after surgery. I does use a closed bridge in certain instances without any problems. Left hand done twice and right once.
 
I had CTS on both my wrist two weeks apart in January. I might be the first person ever to do that. It was difficult but I managed. I didn't have problems with my closed bridge but it was more of a problem with numbness in both hands while sleeping at night and many times during the day. I was playing pool with my closed bridge two weeks later. My wrist still are not 100% strength wise yet but I am able to do almost anything. If you can shoot it doesn't matter what kind of bridge you use. I can shoot off my knuckles if I have to.
 
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