bruce67

Hi people advice appreciated from those who have had this treated.

I have had the symptoms in my right wrist/arm since january and now the left is starting to play up. I am a telecoms linesman so all the manual digging and "fiddly" jointing of cables has obviously started this and even with a reduction in digging, no relief in sight. Have been to the doctor who suggested stopping work!!! He also gave me voltarin for the swelling in the hope it may reduce swelling and therefore circulation, have been on it for 2 months and it doesn't really help. He did suggest I may have to have surgery

Has anyone had treatment that works and more important had successful surgery. I would have to have both wrists operated on and am terrified of losing movement in my fingers etc.

Any experiences/advice appreciated.

Bruce

Paddy_M

My dad had it quite bad....couple of injections in his hand did the trick.

I_Will_Freckle

I got it early on in my preganancy and had to wear those huge splints for the duration and a few months after my son was born. The splints help but are not a long term solution. I thought that the surgery was very low risk and had a high rate of success?

username 34

I had it and have had both wrists done - I chose to have it done at the same time. I had CTS and also benign tumors in the CT's which they removed at the same time.

Make no bones about it it was VERY painful, made the incision from level with top joint of my thumbs down to the wrist bend. Arms absoloutely black and blue from whatever they poked up and down the CT's.

In soft plaster for 4 weeks, both arms, crossed in slings and then about 4 months recovery for me.

and now .... no pain at all 10 years later. Best thing I ever did although at the time was horrible. Glad I did both together and got it over. Lost some sensation as the nerves have been damaged but nothing to make any fuss about. My surgeon was fantastic, very good and also bloody gorgeous which helped when he held my hands!

Jerseygirl

I have had CTS. Both wrists...extremely painful...couldn't even lift a cup.

Had electronic testing...results...severe CTS in both wrists and trigger finger in both thumbs. I was a little worried out the tests because my GP said it wouldn't be pleasant...but was really nothing at all...just a slight sensation.

My surgeon suggested surgery on one hand at a time. Had the left one done at the end of 2007...instant relief. The numbness slowly came back to my fingers...100% success. Strangely enough I've not had a problem with the right hand since.

I had a sedative as opposed to a general anesthetic...I was completely out didn't feel or see a thing. Hardly any pain afterwards but did take painkillers for about 24 hrs.

BTW the incision was tiny...about half an inch and it was done in the crease of my wrist. There is no sign of it now. Cotton wool and a bandage until the next day...I was then allowed to shower and dressed the wound with a small bandage for about 3 weeks. I wore the bandage that long because of the soluble stitches...they kept catching on the bottom of my sleeve.

dalhousie

I had a mild case some years ago. I went to an Osteopath practitioner (not a Chiropractor) and he did some work on my fingers particularly my thumb area, then on my elbow and shoulder. It seemed to fix it very quickly and I haven't had a recurrence

steve`o

had RSI or CTS ( same thing ) in both hands, i`m a sparkie and all the hammering chopping in boxes chasing in etc caused it though it did take several years to get to the point when it was stopping me from working

after the tests ( they bloody electocute you to see how bad the nerves are damaged ) had both hands operated on ( one at a time as i didnt want any else wiping me bum ) all the pain numness etc went almost overnight and since then they have both been fine ( about 10yrs ago ) only have faint scars on each hand where the carpel tunnel was cut to relieve the pressure

debsvirgo

I had CTS approx 7 years ago - had the op on my right hand, they identified my problem was elbow - wrist related so i have a scar at my elbow and a small scar inside my wrist, very painful after the op for 4 weeks was back to work after 6 weeks, still get numbness but not like before so it was definately worth doing. I wouldn't advise getting both done at the same time would be an absolute nightmare just bathing, toileting and everyday stuff is bad enough with one arm out of action.

Jerseygirl

It sounds as though you had trouble with your elbow too...that's why an incision was made there. It would not be the case if it was just CTS. I can't remember the name of it but it is very similar to CTS.(CUTS maybe ) I've read that particular surgery is a lot more painful and the recovery time is longer than normal CTS surgery.

debsvirgo

yep i know it has a different name - but can't remember. It was a little more complex but did the trick. At the time i needed my left hand done as well, but to be honest never ever went back to get it sorted and the left hand is ok now so glad i didn't bother.

Just lloked on internet and my problem was called - Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Jerseygirl

That's right that's the name of it. Strange about your other hand...mine was exactly the same. Had one hand done and the other cleared without surgery...and I was diagnosed with severe CTS.

TiddlyPom

You may be interested, or not, to know that carpal tunnel is a symptom of a slow thyroid ... so do make sure you get that checked with the doc if you haven't already.

steve`o

? thought it was caused by physical damge ie hammering in my case ?

Jerseygirl

You are also more prone to CTS if you are middle aged...are female...small frame...caucasion. That's the list my hand surgeon told me. There can be other underlying medical reasons too.

username 34

wow you're so lucky - I'd have loved to have the surgery and outcome you did .... although my case was a bit different with the tumours having to be removed.

lets just say 4 weeks in casts with both hands for a young lady is not fun .... my poor mum was a saint!!

and for my job it was a nightmare - I didnt know how the hell I would hit a ball again with the cuts being made in the palm of my hand, but I did, and they've been fine ever since.