Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and bicycling

[Itchinjim]

For the past couple of years my hand(s) would go numb after just a short time riding, I wrote it off as just part of getting older until I was recently diagnosed with CTS in my left wrist. I ride a Trek 7100 hybrid, no hard riding, just for exercise and pleasure. However with gas prices rising I plan on riding about ten miles round trip to work as soon as the weather warms up. Does anyone know of a handlebar or handlebar extensions that would help out with CTS?

[happyslug]

1. I have represented several clients with CTS.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can be treated by operation (But only if your Doctor recommends it, he knows more about treatment then I do and I must defer to his expertise in this matter).

CTS, from what I have read, is from repetitive motion of one's hands, fingers and Wrists. That should be reduced if possible (i.e. reduce the use of a keyboard and any other repetitive use of your wrists, hands and fingers).

Now your hands are NOT in repetitive motion when you are on a bike. You are shifting, and holding onto the handlebars, but you are NOT repeating using your hands in some sort of constant motion. Look at how people used they hands BEFORE we industrialized. In hunting societies, you carried a spear, but only used it in practice or hunting, it was NOT used all day long. In farming societies you dug with tools but the tools were held hard in the hand, you did NOT constantly change your grip on the tool, you held it like one holds a handlebar, constantly and fixed not in motion.

While it is possible CTS is affected by biking, I just do NOT see Biking as part of the HOW your CTS developed (Through check with your Doctor to see if he has any information on this to be on the Safe side). My opinion is HOW the hand is used when riding, i.e. Constant holding the handlebar by the hands, like holding a spear or a spade, not the constant movement of the fingers one needs when using a keyboard.

As to the handlebars, look into something that feels good with your hands, which may be anything, curved, drop, straight etc. The type is dependent on how your CTS is in your hand. The best bet is to constantly change till you run across one that does not make the CTS act up. CTS varies enough from case to case that what may be good for one person may be bad for you. Try various types (i.e. rent bikes to see what works for you and then switch to that style).

Last comment, you may want to try a Recumbent, you are more in a sitting position and less weight on the handlebars. That means less weight on the bike through the handlebars, that may be the best solution to your problem.

[keith the dem]

5. A tip from the pro's

I've been riding for well over 30 years, have ridden across the US and am involved with professional cycling.
The key is to get the weight off your hands. Your upper body should be relaxed with your arms slightly bent. The best way to do this is to INCREASE the distance between your saddle and your bars.

First move your saddle as far back as it goes. This will not only get some of the weight off your hands, but help you climb a little better as well. (You may need to drop your saddle height just slightly when you do this)

Make sure the saddle is level or the front tip slightly tipped up. This keeps you from sliding forward and putting weight on your hands as you to push yourself back constantly.)

In working with the people's position on the bike, I find that most bikes are sold with stems too short. A longer stem will move the bars away from you. If you are firm in the saddle, the weight on your hands will decrease as you move the bars away from your body (or your center of gravity). Moving the bars out has the added benefit of giving you better leverage on the front wheel, making it easier to handle the bike. (Note: this does not mean lower or higher, but longer)

Another post here recommends moving your bars higher and closer to you. This would put the bars closer to your center of gravity and thus increase the weight on your hands. Move the bars out away from your center of gravity and you will have less weight on your hands and can keep your upper body relaxed. This is how the pros, who ride 25,000 miles a year deal with it.

[mike_c]

6. I second this advice-- also, move your hands around....

One of the drawbacks of flat bar handlebars is the lack of alternate hand positions, but even so, you can move your hands around a little, take weight off for even just a few seconds, flex your fingers, etc. I doubt the CTS is really the issue here. Rather, hand numbness seems more likely to result from pressure on the median and superficial ulnar nerves of the palm. Human hands are better at HANGING weights than at BEARING weight, especially when it's prolonged and combined with vibration. Just take as many weight breaks as you can, getting the weight off those nerves.

[Kolesar]

2. A higher stem and a steeper angle to make the handlebars higher

You want to make the handlebars higher to get weight off of your hands and onto the seat and pedals. Handlebars that are swept are a more natural position. Moustache handlebars like the Wright Brothers era bicycles might be a good choice. You would likely have to reconfigure your brakes and shifters. I love bar end shifters. Happyslug's advice is good, too.

Good luck. Here is some orthopedic advice, maybe they cover it: www.aaos.org

[bhikkhu]

3. Numbness is a common problem with racers

or was when I raced in the 80's. My solution (more or less) was a glove with a gel insert that absorbed the vibration and pounding of the bar to the palm. It did help me, when I was training 3 to 4 hundred miles a week, and its hard to imagine there aren't better things around now. I would just go to a bike shop and ask.

[frylock]

4. i've been using the Serfas Pro-Flo Grips..

they seem to help with the numbness.



http://www.rei.com/product/768219?preferredSku=7682190017&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:trackingCode=CD5E7FFD-2B3E-DD11-98CA-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA

[elocs]

7. I ride an Easyracer Sport and have absolutely no trouble with carpel tunnel or numbness.

My fingertips rest lightly on the handlebar grips and my butt never gets sore either.
(That's not me--just a Google image)