hands......grrrrrr.....

[IFjane]

I looks like I am headed for surgery for carpal tunnel. Has anyone had this surgery recently? How invasive is it and how long is the recovery? I am just getting myself back on the road and don't want to be off the bike!

I had nerve conduction tests run yesterday & the damage on the left hand is much worse than the right - though there is damage in both. I am left-handed.

Thanks for any information you all can provide!

[csr1210]

Hi - Here is what I remember from when my mom had this done a few years ago:

She said that the pain was instantly better once she had surgery, but she was very suprised by having NO strength in the hand for a while. She had wanted to do both hands at once, but her doctor refused. After the first one, she completely understood why. Her recovery went smoothly, but she could not use the hand for really anything for a while.

I don't remember how long it took to get strength back, but that was her issue rather than any pain from surgery.

Sorry I don't have more info for you -- I'm sure someone will chime in with personal experience that will be more helpful!

Best wishes on your surgery and recovery -- I know it's scary -- as a pianist and heavy computer user I'm really paranoid about carpal tunnel syndrome!

Christy

[OakLeaf]

A friend of a friend has spina bifida, she ambulates with crutches and has developed CTS in both wrists. She's scheduled for surgery on the first hand in a couple of weeks, and they're telling her that they can do the second hand three weeks after that. She must put at least as much pressure on her wrists walking, as any of us do riding, and probably more.

I assume you've already corrected your ergonomics and tried conservative treatment. I know way too many factory workers who've had CTS surgery five or more times on each wrist.

[karen]

If you haven't already tried this, please please consider taking 1+ grams of fish oil supplements a day plus a B complex vitamin. I was headed for surgery but I found a new doctor who recommended this and it has GREATLY reduced my pain. I still get some discomfort from overuse, but as I type this, I'm having a difficult time remembering the last day I hurt enough to wear my compression bands during the day (which also help a huge amount, by the way - ACE makes a good set of wrist wraps).

Seems like the longer I'm on the fish oil and B vitamins, the better the baseline pain gets...

[makbike]

I avoided the surgery simply because I hate to be cut. Instead, I started seeing a chiropractor and he and his partner really turned things around for me. They gave me some exercises to do at home and recommended vit B as well. I also went for a massage every couple of weeks and had them focus on my wrist. It took about four months to really turn things around but turn around for the better they did. I have not had any problems since I went this route.

[Mr. Bloom]

I can't advise on surgery, but I have struggled with terrible bouts of CPS.

Today, I'm 99.9% over it simply with regular stretching, massage, and serious attention to desk ergonomics.

For me, it was my mouse position and desk chair height at work. Once I got my forearm on an even plane with my wrist and mouse, it improved...albeit after several months.

I've heard that if you have a nerve pinch, it will take as long for the pain to dissipate as the time you were in pain. So, if you have pain for four months, it will take four months to go away...from the time you correct the source of the pinch.

I've got 1.5 years with little/no discomfort.

[IFjane]

Thank you all so much for your feedback. I do not relish the thought of surgery so I am willing to try almost anything. Heading out this morning to get fish oil and vitamin B.

What I do know is that nerve damage is irreversible so all I can do is hope to control the numbness and pain. Mr. Silver, thank you for the thoughts on my desk ergonomics. I have addressed that and really have no discomfort typing. However, I don't sit and type all day - I am up and down and in and out of my office. I spend as much time in the field as I do here. What does hurt is having to write anything more than my signature - hand goes numb almost immediately when I pick up a pen (I use the really big fat ones) and holding the phone. *sigh*

Again, thank you for the feedback and alternatives to surgery!

[Moptop]

Hi - I think you should be able to do something about your phone - it's a heavy thing and obviously isn't helping your CPS.

Why not look into the possibility of a hands-off type - my late M.i.L. had terrible arthritis and had a special phone installed though I don't know about the cost. It made her life more worthwhile!

LOL

Chris.

[OakLeaf]

Are you using a night splint? Fortunately I only get mild CTS, but sleeping in a splint for a few days is usually all it takes.

Also, clicking a mouse button puts a lot of stress on my wrist nerves. I'm much happier since I set up my touch pad for tap-click.

+1 on the B6 and Omega-3s.

And BTW, nerve damage is *not* irreversible. Nerves take a long, long time to heal, but with the exception of some parts of the spinal cord, they *do* heal. I've bruised nerves twice, and cut a minor sensory nerve, with full recovery in all cases.

[IFjane]

Are you using a night splint? Fortunately I only get mild CTS, but sleeping in a splint for a few days is usually all it takes.

Also, clicking a mouse button puts a lot of stress on my wrist nerves. I'm much happier since I set up my touch pad for tap-click.

+1 on the B6 and Omega-3s.

And BTW, nerve damage is *not* irreversible. Nerves take a long, long time to heal, but with the exception of some parts of the spinal cord, they *do* heal. I've bruised nerves twice, and cut a minor sensory nerve, with full recovery in all cases.

Yes, I am using night splints (both hands), but notice little difference. Both go numb during the night, no matter what position I am in. For the record, this has been brewing for a long time. It has just recently - since early Sept. - gotten really bad.

I use a laptop exclusively with a touch pad - and have the whole thing set up ergonomicly so my hands are in the correct position.

Thanks for the input on nerve damage - I had been told (not by a dr, but by a friend who has had the same problem) that it was. So much for assumptions, huh?

[karen]

About your hands going numb at night... Do you sleep on your stomach or side with your arm under your pillow?

I did this, too, and I know it's comfortable, but try not to do this (as you're trying to fall asleep, anyway)!! Keep your arms by your side if you're on your stomach. If you're on your side (or back), I'd recommend a pillow or body pillow to keep the circulation moving in the arm on top. Injuries need fresh blood to heal... decreased blood flow at night is bad