After alarming fans with photos from his hospital bed, Travis Barker has revealed he was forced into surgery to correct a frightening medical problem that threatened his future as a drummer.
On Oct. 7, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, 50, shared a series of hospital photos on Instagram featuring his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, 47, and daughter Alabama Barker, 20, leaving fans wondering why he was receiving medical care.
In one image, Kardashian smiled beside her husband, who was lying in a hospital bed, wearing a gown and a surgical cap.
“Not sure why my wife looks so happy about this,” he joked in an Instagram stories post, per People.
Although the photos raised questions about his health, the musician has faced medical setbacks before, including an injury that previously threatened his ability to perform.
Previous health scares
In June 2022, Barker was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after developing “severe, life-threatening pancreatitis” following an endoscopy, a medical procedure used to examine the digestive tract.
The musician later explained that a polyp had been removed during the procedure, damaging a pancreatic drainage tube and triggering the painful condition, which required several days of hospital treatment, Page Six reports.
Less than a year later, another medical setback threatened something central to his career.
In February 2023, Barker injured his ring finger while rehearsing with Blink-182, dislocating it and tearing ligaments.
“I was playing the drums at rehearsals yesterday and I smashed my finger so hard I dislocated it and tore the ligaments,” he wrote on X.
After sharing footage of a medical worker attempting to reposition the injured finger, Barker underwent surgery in March to repair the damage.
“It was a hard decision to make but ultimately I couldn’t continue to play the drums without it,” he explained in an Instagram post.
“It was inevitable that my finger would have dislocated again without fixing the torn ligament surgically. So grateful for Dr. Shin and that my surgery was a success so that I can keep doing what I love and see you guys on tour soon,” he continued.
Why the drummer needed surgery again
Three years later, Barker found himself facing another problem affecting his ability to play, although this time the warning signs were different.
On Oct. 7, the drummer finally explained the reason for his latest hospital visit, revealing that he had experienced persistent numbness since performing in September.
“I had surgery yesterday. My arm, hand and fingers have been numb since a show I played last month,” Barker wrote on Instagram Stories.
“I did a nerve test Monday after my show and turns out I needed a cubital tunnel release to fix the nerve,” he added.
According to Johns Hopkins, the cubital tunnel is a narrow passageway inside the elbow that carries the ulnar nerve. When that nerve becomes compressed or damaged, it can cause tingling and numbness in the hands.
‘Wanted to get ahead of it’
Rather than risk further problems with his drumming, Barker decided to address the condition surgically.
“I wanted to get ahead of it and get it over with so that I can keep playing the way I play for a long, long time,” he explained.
Despite the concern surrounding his hospitalization, the musician offered a reassuring update about his recovery.
“Should be good in a few weeks,” he added.
Barker and Kardashian, who married in 2022, welcomed their son Rocky in November 2023. The drummer also shares Landon, 22, and Alabama, 20, with his former wife, Shanna Moakler, and remains close to his stepdaughter, Atiana De La Hoya, 27.
What do you think of Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian’s relationship and the way they support each other? Please let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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