You're right about the docs making lots of guesses, and for the most part they get away with them, but not all the time. First and foremost, in order to determine if this is truly carpal tunnel syndrome, you should have a nerve conduction study performed, which only takes a few minutes and pretty much painless.

Also, an Electromyogram study should be done as well. Small needles are inserted in certain muscles to measure the electrical impulses when muscles contract and are relaxed.

Both studies should be done before you consent to surgery. The healing process varies with the age of the patient, and older patients tend to take several weeks to heal completely. Once healed, the next step is to stop the abuse to those nerves and tendons by lightening your touch on the keyboard and playing while your arms are positioned properly. If you are standing while playing, you make matter worse. Your forearms should be parallel with the floor while your upper arms should be nearly vertical. There should be very little finger movement at all. Most of the vertical movement will is generated by your forearms.

Almost forgot. If your little finger is involved, the problem is most likely NOT carpal tunnel syndrome. The little finger is not triggered by the median nerve, which is where carpal tunnel syndrome originates. When I worked in medicine many years ago, we often referred to carpal tunnel syndrome as jack hammer disease. The constant slamming of a jack hammer on the palm of your hands was the causative with carpal tunnel syndrome, but other professions experienced similar problems if they involved impact to the hands via tools and heavy machinery. It was also common with blacksmiths.

Hope this helps,

Gary