Jeff Brantley, M.D.

The following discussion took place during Bronson Arroyo Spring Break Blastoff '09 featuring the Reds AA affiliate Zebulon Mudcats who went on to beat their superiors 12-4.

Marty--The point I was making when the top of the second ended--the subject of carpal tunnel came up--and Bronson talked about signing a lot of autographs and strumming his guitar. It stretches the level of believability, that signing an abundance of autographs could create that physical problem, but maybe playing the guitar excessively will. And if that's the problem, that's not a good sign whatsoever.

Brantley--Well, it's not, and we've talked about that many times. And the thing about it, Marty, is I've played the guitar, and I know what it does. It hurts your back, and it bothers your neck, which includes your radial nerve, which goes right down into that web space which is right between the thumb and the finger. That radial nerve comes out of the base of your neck, and it comes right down over the top of your forearm and into the web space between your thumb and your forefinger and that's the place, the exact place, that Bronson Arroyo is talking about it being numb and bothering him.

Marty--Well, if it is from playing the guitar, and I've alluded to it before--his vocation is pitching (interrupted by Brantley)

Brantley--Well we talked about this last year.

Marty--He's paid handsomely to pitch.

Brantley--Well, we talked about it last year, and as soon as everybody made a big deal about playing the guitar, he stopped playing and he had a wonderful second half.

Marty--I would just hope that this thing does not progress to the point where he's going to have to have this surgically repaired because that's usually what you have to do.

Brantley--Well, I don't think it's carpal tunnel for one.

Marty--You don't?

Brantley--Nope, I do not.

Marty--What do you think it is?

Brantley picks up with the play-by-play. "Another line drive right up the box..." and never comes back to his diagnosis.