Not CTS, mind you, but had a bad experience a couple of years ago now. Slipped on ice and shattered my left radius. (The x-ray guy goes "Uh oh", and you know you got a problem.) So we're talking surgery big time. Sliced me from the middle of my palm and up my wrist about 4 inches. Put in a pin and a plate. Scary.

I could't do a thing for about a week but stretch, which hurt like hell (No cast due to all the hardware in my wrist). But one week after the accident I picked up my guitar and was messin with bar chords, albeit for a pretty limited time. Lots of physiotherapy later and I've got full use back, LordbePraised.

I think the advice from the folks above is along the lines of what I've heard from those with CTS; exercises, but also REST. You're not gonna make it better by overworking it. gentle exercise and rest is it. But if you NEED surgery, it'll probably be okay as long as you do the physio afterward. And by the way, the therapist was impressed with my progress and put it down to playing. So best of luck. SB