Anybody had surgery on an injury...

[onemat]

and had it affect your drumming?

Hi All,
A few years back I had an accident and had severed 3 tendends in my left wrist. It affected my double strokes, specifically speed, but it didn't threaten my playing altogether. Just last week (Monday) I was forced to have surgery on my right foot. For years I've had bone spurs at my big toe joint, the one that joins the toe to the foot. The joint was shot, and I was having pain from pressure on the nerve in my foot. The original injury came from a stack of crossties falling in my garage, with one of them coming across my foot. This happened around 1983, and over time the toe joint developed the spurs which eventually caused me trouble. So I was forced to have surgery. The doctor ground down the bone spurs, then installed a pin, a plate and six screws! At this point I am not suposed to open the bandages or walk on it. I can actually move my toe a little which amazes me. I am scared to death that it will affect me negatively in my kick drum playing but for now I do not know. The doctor says I will be able to play, but he didn't quite understand what I meant by playing heels up. They are taking off the bandages tomorrow afternoon and I will find out more. If anyone has had this happen to them please let me know. Thanks, Matt

[mlehnertz]

I had my tonsils removed and I lost a good two notes of range I'd say. Can't get much higher than a G now.

No other long-term damage to body parts used for playing drums. Carpal tunnel gives me some numbness here and there.

[Lambo]

Check this out for crazy, when I was 13 I had a panic attack during sleep and jumped through a second storey window. I badly fractured my tib and fib in my right leg. The only permanent injury I came out of it with was that a tendon was spliced somewhere in my leg which caused to big toe to become clawed. It's not particularly debilitating, but when I walk uphill, it pushes downward. Luckily I play heel up so it doesn't hinder me too much, but obviously I'd rather have full mobility. For the moment I'd rather cope than have surgery which mightn't actually fix the problem at all, and leave me with a cast for X months.

I wouldn't worry too much onemat, apparently bone heals back stronger + if your foot is going to take the normal everyday punishment it does, you should be able to play fine.
Good luck with your situation!

[onemat]

I had my tonsils removed and I lost a good two notes of range I'd say. Can't get much higher than a G now.

No other long-term damage to body parts used for playing drums. Carpal tunnel gives me some numbness here and there.

Matt replies: Fell over laughing when you mentioned tonsils...I hope you were trying to cheer me up....but if you were a serious singer I guess you would feel the same way I do about my foot. Thanks for the note..Matt

[onemat]

Check this out for crazy, when I was 13 I had a panic attack during sleep and jumped through a second storey window. I badly fractured my tib and fib in my right leg. The only permanent injury I came out of it with was that a tendon was spliced somewhere in my leg which caused to big toe to become clawed. It's not particularly debilitating, but when I walk uphill, it pushes downward. Luckily I play heel up so it doesn't hinder me too much, but obviously I'd rather have full mobility. For the moment I'd rather cope than have surgery which mightn't actually fix the problem at all, and leave me with a cast for X months.

I wouldn't worry too much onemat, apparently bone heals back stronger + if your foot is going to take the normal everyday punishment it does, you should be able to play fine.
Good luck with your situation!

Matt replies: Thanks for the kind (and scary) note. Please buy and live in a one story house, or rent a basement appartment. Dear God, your story is unbelievable!
The doctor tells me the bone will actually grow around the hardware he put in my foot. If he says it ain't gonna break that's good enough for me. I hope I will still have enough flex in the big toe left so it will approximate what it used to feel like playing heels up. I was forced into the operation because of pain after long gigs or being on my feet for long periods of time. I go to the doc today for an examination and to find out when I can walk on it and of course play. The hardest part is waiting to see what it's gonna be like. I will keep you posted... Matt

[theduke86]

I've had four knee surgeries from years of abuse from hockey and football. It used to hurt extremely bad all the time, to the point where I was taking 15 or so tylenol 3's a day, and drinking hard liquor all the time. That hurt my drumming. Six months ago I had another surgery which just about fixed it. Now it just hurts when it's numb.

[mlehnertz]

Ummm, drinking all day and you aren't even 20 years old?!?

...to the point where I was taking 15 or so tylenol 3's a day, and drinking hard liquor all the time.

[Skacatz]

Had hernia surgery about two years ago. The shock from using the bass drum pedal would make me sore as hell..that lasted about 6 months....I'm over it now though and back to normal....

[masonni]

I broke my hand earlier this year and ended up in a cast for 3 weeks, and couldn't play the drums.

[The Ploughman]

Severed tendon on my left hand middle finger, with some nerve damage (very minor) but the tendon...left my finger tip permanently droopy. Severed nerve to the thumb of my right hand. Couldnt hold a stick for almost a year, another couple years went by before I quit throwing them randomly in every direction. I had no feeling at all on the inside of my right hand thumb for almost 3 years. It still feels like a chunk of wood sometimes. And it did affect my playing ability. And then theres the getting old part. Ive been having joint pain in both hands for a few years now.

[georgeman]

i broke my left index finger, and it forced me to play triditional, now that' the only way i can play a roll

[goalieman92]

well, never had surgery, i haven't even seen the doc for an injury in about 2 years. in that time i have oulled both of my hip flexors on numerous occasions, pulled a muscle in my lower back(worst of all my injuries, pain wise and inhabilatating. Actually caused me to miss a practice(hockey)) Seriously screwed up me knees(might go see a doc about that) Broke an bone or 2 in my foot and wrist, oh, and got slashed in the throat. I think that's all, other than minor stuff. But anyways, the moral of my story is that you'll be fine, even if you can never use your toes again, you can still play.

[harryconway]

1983, crashed my Suzuki 1100 Katana in the mountains. Broke my pelvis in 3 places and both the bones in my right calf (compound fracture). Pain is my friend and constant companion but hey, Rick Allen, the cat in Def Leppard, lost an arm. Positive thinking will overcome almost everything. Good luck and hang tough.

[drumbum1977]

I have severed both my Achillis tendons....affects my foot speed and endurence.

[Johnny Skates]

I fell off a ladder 7 weeks ago . Fractured my shoulder bone and multiple fracture of my elbow . I am scared as hell that i will not be able to play properley when fully recovered. just keepin my fingers crossed...

[Rick_Strong]

2 Heart attacks and triple bypass surgey. I still play, just like to use the heart problems when it comes time to haul the gear.

Hang in there man.