| laborlitigator |
Have had it for nearly 5 years but not very severe. Just have a loss of feeling in the fingertips and a decreased loss of touch. Probably related to too much bowling and computers.
I've heard of non surgical treatments for it, since I don't want to have any surgery. Just wondering if anyone has tried it.
And if you had the surgical, any feedback would be great. |
|
|
| hondacuraworld |
| My wife has to wear an arm brace on her right hand because of carpal tunnel. She now has a partially torn tendon in that same arm, so she has to go in for the surgery in a couple months. It's caused her pain for the last 10 years we've been together, and just as you, her former job in a medical office didn't help matters much. |
|
|
| laborlitigator |
Thing is Tim, I don't get any pain from it, therefore, not really pushing me to get the surgery. Just a loss of feeling and tingling.
The MD I use is pushing surgery, then again, most do, right? |
|
|
| robrecht |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
I've heard of non surgical treatments for it, since I don't want to have any surgery. Just wondering if anyone has tried it.
What nonsurgical treatment are you considering? I've heard of coricosteriod injectsions. I've also heard of doctors using Lidoderm patches with some success. Good luck! |
|
|
| laborlitigator |
| Not heard about the patches. I did hear about the injections. |
|
|
| hondacuraworld |
| My wife's done the injections a couple of times. As I remember, it just made her arm feel a bit more numb and the effect was temporary. Not sure if it would be of benefit in your case. |
|
|
| laborlitigator |
| I tried the oral steroid but did not notice any change. |
|
|
| komondor |
I have had a minor case for quite a while. 2 things to remember surgeon's job is to cut that is why they are surgeons. If you are on workman's comp they will usually try physical therapy until it is hopeless.
Biggest thing I have found is to not due what causes the problem. If it is from bowling or typing then you need to not bowl and greatly reduce the typing if it means changing jobs then you need to make a choice. they have made some good advances in the speech to text software so it could be an alternative. Many people have problems from using the mouse or keyboard wrong and an ergonomic survey of their workspace can help changing to an ergonomic keyboard usually will help as will changing to a trackball but I prefer changing the mouse to the left hand.
My keyboard cam from this company
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/
I use the kinesis maxim as I am a 4 fingered typist so the curved ones don't work for me but the maxim helps with the angle. You chair is also a big deal too as if your posture is wrong you will have problems.
I do computer support for 600+ people so I have a few that have had surgery and those that did not change their habits have problems again after a period of years |
|
|
| jatharp |
I had the injection for Carpel tunnel done almost 2 years ago and have been fine ever since.
My wife had the surgery on one hand and the shot in the other over 2 years ago. The one with the shot is fine, The other one (which was much worse) still gives her some aggrivation on occasion.
I have found using a foam wrist pad and Microsoft Trackball instead of a mouse with my computer makes it a lot easier on the wrist. |
|
|
| R Stevens |
LL,
I've had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands with a 10 year space between the two. The steroid injection directly into the wrist alleviated the problem temporarily. The second surgery was done by scope followed by occupational therapy. It worked much better than the first surgery (faster and more complete recovery).
I didn't have much pain either but the numbing and tingling at night was miserable and interfered with sleep. A special hand and wrist brace offered some relief. The risk of not having surgery is the nerve can be permanently damaged.
Good luck! |
|
|
| laborlitigator |
quote:
Originally posted by R Stevens
The risk of not having surgery is the nerve can be permanently damaged.
Now that scares me. Permanent in what way? |
|
|
| dvilla |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
I tried the oral steroid but did not notice any change.
Have you given ACCUPUNCTURE a try? It might work. |
|
|
| R Stevens |
LL,
Check this link to NIH for more information:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/...rpal_tunnel.htm
I am not a medical profressional, but in layman's terms the median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel along with a bunch of blood vessels, ligaments and other nerves. If the tunnel space becomes smaller the median nerve will be pinched. It controls your middle and index finger and thumb. If permanently damaged your hand becomes incapacitated.
From the above NIH link:
>>What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch.<< |
|
|
| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
Now that scares me. Permanent in what way?
Couldn't help putting in my 2 cents. Just to put perspective on all the information on previous posts, since I am a medical professional.
*Disclaimer for all you lawyers out there: This is unsolicited and free advice and will in no way replace the advice of your personal physician and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this post. *:)
That said, CTS can be a chronic debilitating condition if not corrected. As for nerve damage becoming "permanent," it is not, in the sense that the nerve can still function, but over time, the loss of nerve supply can lead to muscle wasting and weakness, which can be reversible using surgery followed by physical therapy.
Whether or not you undergo surgery is a matter of personal decision that you and your most trusted physician have to come to an agreement on. As with any surgical procedure, you always have to weigh the risks and benefits. True, you could throretically damage the nerves and tendons inside the forearm, but any reputable surgeon that does CTS release on a consistent basis would likely have a complication rate of 1%. One caveat is that even after surgery, it can recur.
Now the stroid injection directly into the tunnel does work to alleviate the symptoms, moreso than the wrist splints. However, they only work anywhere from weeks to months at a time. For some patients, this is enough time for CTS to either abate or for the wrist to recover adequate function, thereby obviating the need for surgery. There are patients I've seen suffering from severe CTS that have begged to be referred to a surgeon but due to insurance concerns (i.e. Medicaid -- please write your Congressman about this!) can not be seen for months or even not at all by local surgeons.
As you've noticed, oral steroids typically do not work. They are prescribed more for those patients (and maybe even some doctors' comfort) that need some type of prescription for patients who can not undergo or would not want surgery and/or shots and do not want to walk away without some type of (placebo) treatment.
Hope this helps. |
|
|
| nightguy |
| My mother in law had the surgery on both hands...at different times of course because you can't get them to do it at one time. She loves it. Surgery was quick, not very invasive and a big relief. |
|
|
|
