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Carpal Tunnel

Started by gspren, August 05, 2014, 06:56:02 PM

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gspren

    Lately every time I use the weed eater, chainsaw etc. my right wrist ends up hurting. I can also tell that my right hand grip is less than left hand although that was never the case before. How many have had surgery and what all is worth trying first? I see my doctor for a routine visit next week so I'll be asking him then. Aint this getting old fun.
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sprucebunny

A friend recently thought she had it and professional neck massage and some special exercizes cured it.

When I was diagnosed 30+ years ago, one of the criteria was if you woke up because of the pain or slept with your hands bent over against your chest.

The surgery was a success but each hand needs about a month to be very useful again.

Maybe try more padded gloves, some streching exercizes before and after ???
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Ron Scott

I've had surgery on both wrists. the right one in 1986 and the left one in 2002. As stated, it takes about a month of recovery time to get the use and some strength back in the hand. I pushed the left one too soon marking timber and got infection in the wound so I had an upset doctor and it took a little longer to heal with a larger scar from having to have the infection removed.

My wrists have been fine and have been pain free since the surgeries. There are some more remedial measures taken now prior to needed surgery such as splinting, increased vitamin B, acupuncture etc.  I had waited too long with severe pain in the wrist and arm where the nerves were going dead so surgery was the immediate need. 

~Ron

samandothers

I had numbness and tingling in my fingers, not thumb.  Had nerve test and doc stated yet carpal Tunnel.  Also had issue with pain in top of wrist and lower forearm.  This was not a symptom or Carpal Tunnel since the tunnel is in hand side of wrist. 
The surgery was very easy and no big deal.  After surgery there was no improvement in either fingers or top of wrist and lower forearm.  After MRI of neck doc determined discs pushing on spinal cord and I needed fusions on C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae.  Had the surgery Christmas Eve which went great.  Year after Carpal Tunnel and 8 months after cervical fusions I still have the same issues.  I have not gone for any more doctor visits yet to try to continue the search for the issue.

Do mention it in your check up and get opinion.  Could be something else other than Carpal Tunnel.  Good luck!

thecfarm

Wife had it. She tried the splints,therapy and all that stuff. Surgery did it. The doctor only made 3 little holes in her wrist. I don't know if I could even find them now. She has had no pain or discomfort at all.
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Seaman

My Therapist daughter advises to find a Rolfer, or Trigger point therapist.

My wife avoided surgery by seeing a chiropractor for the same issues.
Frank
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gspren

   I saw my family doctor and he said to try wearing a wrist brace that keeps the wrist from bending down while working. If that doesn't help enough he will recommend a surgeon.
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BradMarks

I have had issues like Samandothers describes. I have acute carpal tunnel that flairs up these days during certain activities, such as painting or a lot of hammering. It was much worse years ago - sleepless nights, elevated chest/head, on your back, palms facing upward. Could sleep maybe an hour before the pain woke me up. It was summertime work for about 5 years. What it led to, and what Samandothers decribes as lower forearm pain, was diagnosed as Chronic Muscle Fatigue - working hard for a lot of years. Something as simple as picking up a penny or a paper clip would trigger a violent reaction in the forearm, like someone sticking a knife in there, and my fingers involuntarily going whichever way they wanted. Fortunately those episodes haven't happened for quite awhile.  What I found to help when it was real bad was taking Predisone for short periods.  Never considered surgery, saw too many people it didn't help, along with those it did.

SLawyer Dave

I had carpal tunnel surgeries done on both wrists at the same time, (the doctor said it would be better than spacing them out).  For me, it was a great relief, as I was actually having not only severe nerve pain, but also actual constricted blood flow because I had so much scar tissue in the carpal tunnels of both wrists.    My surgeon was also actually a plastic/reconstructive surgeon that specialized in hand surgery.  He helped pioneer a "micro-surgical" carpal nerve release technique wherein he cut only transverse along the base of the wrist, (rather than up into the palm).  So my recovery was much quicker and I did not have to rebuild the muscles that get cut in the standard vertical incision that goes fully up into the palm. 

One BIG caveat......Make sure you have the nerve induction tests to confirm that it is really a nerve impingement.  Like I said, my surgery pretty much completely corrected all of my problems and was a great success.

Years later, my wife had carpel tunnel surgery on her main hand.  She had nothing but problems, and it did not really solve her pain and weakness issues.  While I am not a doctor, I am convinced that she really didn't have a nerve impingement.  Her nerve induction tests did not indicate such an impingement.  Her orthopedic surgeon was convinced however, (and since it was worker's comp), he got the ok for the surgery.  The other doctors and physical therapists involved thought she had tendinitis.   So her surgery turned out to be a bloody mess, that only further weakened and aggravated the problems she was having. 

I also suggest in the strongest terms to make sure you have a "hand specialist", orthopedic or reconstructive surgeon do the work.  Don't be afraid to ask them about the number and frequency of carpal nerve releases they have done and all your options.   I have been very lucky, as my mother has worked for the same group of doctors since I was 12, so they have always referred me to the best available specialists.   As they say, practice makes perfect, and you want to make sure you have a doctor that is a real expert both evaluating your options and if the decision is made, cutting on you.

Hope that helps.

Dave

doctorb

Carpal tunnel release is usually done endoscopically now, so the old incision up and down the palm is no longer required.  Recovery is quicker with less pain.  Occasionally, the median nerve gets compressed by scar again after surgery and a repeat carpal tunnel release needs to be considered.  Pretty rare.

I agree with those comments about making sure that median nerve compression at your wrist is the problem before you rush to surgery.  This means an EMG conduction test.  Certainly, cervical issues should be investigated prior to any surgical release.  The results of this surgery are pretty predictable.  If the nerve is compressed in the carpal tunnel, release of the transverse ligament, which is the "roof" of the canal, usually helps or eliminates the symptoms.

SLawyer Dave's comment about having a specialist perform the procedure is also worth repeating, and it applies to most surgical procedures.  Always select a doc who performs your proposed procedure routinely and preferably one who has studied an extra year post residency (a fellowship) in the field.  Your local guy may be great, but no one is great at all things.
My father once said, "This is my son who wanted to grow up and become a doctor.  So far, he's only become a doctor."

petefrom bearswamp

After having both hands getting numb several times in the night as well in the day, I Had mine done several years ago with very small incisions.
In fact when i had my second Duputrons (look this  up or maybe Doc can fill us in) done the surgeon said I could not have had the carpal surgery done because he couldn't see the scars, , but it was!
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WmFritz

I had a cervical fusion last Fall with all my symptoms in my right arm. Since the surgery, my right arm pain mostly gone, but now issues in the left arm/ hand. The worst pain is at night. I still have a lot of neck/shoulder pain also. After a new MRI, the disc's directly above and below the fusion look to be the issue yet. My surgeon knew I had three bad ones going in, but only wanted to fuse the worst one. My surgeon sent me for an EMG today to see if there's any nerve damage and I find out I have carpal tunnel.  ???   Really  didn't expect that. The physician I saw today recommended the carpal tunnel surgery. My numbness is a combination of the carpal tunnel and the neck issues.  He said its a very simple procedure and would get needed relief. I meet with my neurosurgeon and see what he recommends.
~Bill

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samandothers

One of these days maybe a year beyond both surgeries I am return to the doc.  I do get tired of pain in mid lower forearm and numbness in fingers.  I wonder if it could be issue in shoulder area with some restriction or pinching that seems an area not yet approached.   It is not terrible pain but numbness and nagging pain does get old at times. 

red oaks lumber

i was digenosed with carpl tunnel severe case, went to my chiroprator and after 5 weeks working my hands i have no issues at all.
the experts think i do things wrong
over 18 million b.f. processed and 7341 happy customers i disagree

hardtailjohn

Same here Red Oaks Lumber...but I wasn't quick enough to avoid surgery once.  I was supposed to go back for more and on and on.... sure glad I found a chiropractor instead!
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Busy Beaver Lumber

Add me to the list guys. Just visited the neurosurgeon last week because of numbness, burning, tenderness, and lack of temperature sensitivity in my right hand.

Having EMG done tomorrow to confirm 100% and he says we will follow up with surgery soon so i dont loose any more use of the hand. Hurts quite a bit now and very hard to sleep at night, so looking forward to the relief.
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