<p>Esp how long recovery took and what you could (or couldn’t) do in the meantime.</p>
<p>How “needed” were you told it was?</p>
<p>Would you do it again?</p>
<p>Or if you didn’t, what did you do?</p>
<p>I’d absolutely do it again – about five years earlier, if I could. But, recovery was a lot tougher than the surgeon had described; I really couldn’t use the hand for more than a month. OT from a hand therapist was a huge, huge help. I showed significant nerve damage on the conduction test.</p>
<p>My friend was having numbness in her hands and opted instead to try Eastern medicine – she started having Thai massage and it really made a huge difference for her. She does NOT have numbness any more and was happy to be able to avoid surgery. She lives in LA and was able to find a masseuse who would come to her home to massage. </p>
<p>Have read that the majority of CTS surgeries are unnecessary.</p>
<p>I had it about 10 years ago and am glad I did. Recovery was fairly easy. If I recall correctly, the first 24-36 hours were the trickiest, but I don’t remember if it was due to pain or just discomfort. I had to cover my hand with a plastic bag to shower for about a week. I went on a two day vacation about three or four days after surgery and I remember there were no issues at all. I don’t know how I would have overcome my issues without surgery. </p>
<p>Thanks. </p>
<p>I’m not dealing with pain (there is some numbness, but not to a bothering level). The EMG showed it in the moderate level and I’m told it won’t resolve on it’s own once it reaches that level. Supposedly if I wait it will go to the severe level and leave me with permanent damage.</p>
<p>But it’s tough to want to do surgery on something that isn’t bothersome. Plus, if I did, I’d have to figure out how much time I’d need off school and figure out where to fit that in. Less is better, of course.</p>
<p>I have four weeks to make up my mind.</p>
<p>I have moderate CT in both hands and was set to have the surgery this past summer. In April I changed jobs and the CT symptoms all but disappeared. Last week I took three days off to make baskets (from reed) and the CT has returned. </p>
<p>For me, the symptoms are tied to use of my hands. Since it’s something that doesn’t happen all the time, I’m not doing surgery at this point. I’ve had CT for 15 years. Most people I talk to are happy with the surgery, but not all, and I have heard some say their grip isn’t as strong. I am talking about moderate CT. I’ve also been told by an endocrinologist that there can be medical causes. A friend who had the surgery recommended having it done by someone who does A LOT of the surgeries, using the less invasive approach (I forget what it’s called).</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I had carpal tunnel but since I couldn’t afford to be out of commission, I did exercises to strengthen my wrists.
Haven’t had the problem since.
<a href=“http://pain.com/archives/2013/12/31-exercises-strengthen-wrist/”>http://pain.com/archives/2013/12/31-exercises-strengthen-wrist/</a></p>
<p>I discussed this with my hand specialist. If I can remember what he told me … a lot depends on exactly where the impingement is. He’s showed me that many symptoms are hard to isolate, that they can be, for example, at least in part in the elbow or shoulder. You’d think it would be fairly obvious “these fingers” versus “those” but I gather you need to be careful about the diagnosis. </p>
<p>When I was in my 20s in law school, I noticed pain in my hands when I was crocheting a wool blanket (stress release). I stopped crocheting as soon as that project was done and all pain cleared up. Similarly, when I was doing a lot of typing at the keyboard, my hands started to have carpel tunnel like symptoms that went away when I wore a brace and seriously cut back on the typing for an extended period. For me, it was being attuned to what caused my pain and laying off whatever was the cause that worked.</p>
<p>My first couple were white and going numb, so I couldn’t grasp anything.
Along with getting free weights and doing the exercises, massage and stretching on my upper back to increase circulation helped. We often do not realize how much tension is in that area from driving, desk work, etc.</p>
<p>Using ergonomic tools and positioning helps. You don’t always have to stop the activity.
<a href=“http://www.m.webmd.com/pain-management/ergonomic-workstation”>http://www.m.webmd.com/pain-management/ergonomic-workstation</a></p>
<p>I have some permanent nerve damage from the impingement. Not terrible, but as the doc said, I’m not likely to be able to read Braille with those fingertips. Let’s just hope I never need to. </p>
<p>
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<p>I think this is my big hang up. I’m not convinced it’s really my wrists that are the problem. I never have pain doing anything with my wrists like those who have had definite CT talk about (IRL or here). Typing - no problem. The braces at night actually made night numbness worse, not better. When I pay attention to the numbness (driving or holding the phone or similar), it seems to start in the pinky and head across the hand, almost not affecting the thumb.</p>
<p>It’s just so - different - from what others are experiencing.</p>
<p>Maybe I should have studied more for the EMG. Perhaps then I’d have passed it.</p>
<p>I’m not actually doubting the median nerve is moderately affected. (Test results are test results.) I’m just wondering if carpal tunnel is really the cause and if the surgery would really prevent severe damage.</p>
<p>Doing it, if needed, is one thing. Doing it for the wrong reasons and having it not help would be totally another. I’m feel clueless about making the decision.</p>
<p>Have you considered getting a 2nd opinion and evaluation from someone else? They might be able to figure out what it is if the brace makes things WORSE, not better. CT that I’m aware of is definitely a wrist-type problem. I’d suggest getting a 2nd opinion sooner than later, so you don’t allow permanent damage.</p>
<p>I had CTS-like symptoms that were resolved by having breast reduction. Could that be an issue?</p>
<p>My Mom had CT surgery in the 80’s. She was never sorry she had the surgery.</p>
<p>The braces might not have technically made things worse. They just didn’t change the numb feelings and made it more difficult to get rid of them since movement is what does it.</p>
<p>Breast size is definitely not a factor. Oodles of other potential issues were eliminated via blood tests. </p>
<p>I can check with some physical therapists in the next couple of weeks to see what their thoughts are both regarding this and getting a 2nd opinion - if they know who they’d recommend. The first office was a recommendation from folks at school and was pretty unanimous.</p>
<p>Both college boys called yesterday, one around 5pm, the other around 9pm. It was great to hear from them, but holding the phone for 15 minutes was about my limit before absolutely having to change hands. Even then, no wrist pain - but definite numbness (pain) over the whole hand (whichever hand was holding the phone). It didn’t matter if I was using the thumb or the pinky or any particular position.</p>
<p>So, if numbness is the only thing that matters, doing something is probably a good idea. If it’s wrist pain and particular fingers, there has to be another option/factor - so it would seem anyway.</p>
<p>I’ll check around.</p>
<p>As a follow up… it was worth it to check with the physical therapists. The answer is a resounding NO to the surgery in this case as carpal tunnel is NOT the issue I’m dealing with even though the median nerve is affected.</p>
<p>Beyond that the first PT had no idea.</p>
<p>The second, however, has probably solved the puzzle - a weird (to me) deal called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I’m told (and google seems to confirm) that it fits all of what’s been going on - including the median nerve damage. PT will actually continue in hopes of fixing it. Ideally I wouldn’t mind knowing what’s causing it too - but maybe later.</p>
<p>I have something worse but my hands are getting better through acupuncture, weekly massage and muscle correction exercise. Watch out for the area behind your neck, that area could affect your hands and nerves.</p>
<p>I have heard lots of good things about the surgery but have also heard a lot of people say it didn’t help. I personally don’t think surgery has to be the only option for carpal tunnel. My father in law suffered quite bad and he used a wrap called the BFST (blood flow stimulation therapy) and it got him back to his old self again. He can enjoy the things he used to again with no pain (ie. darts). I know he also focused a lot on cold therapy for the pain. I used the wrap for my back and I love it. I included the link in case that helps: <a href=“Carpal Tunnel Treatment by King Brand”>Carpal Tunnel Treatment by King Brand; </p>