Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Problem with a mouse is the tendency to sit there with your hand on it for long periods. For me this was causing tension up my arms and in to the shoulder which started spreading to the left hand as well.

I tried everything - gel pads, trackballs, lefthanded mouse - they either had no effect or made it worse.

Jimi - if you suspect it's mouse related then try the pen - it's a bit funky to start with but you get used to it pretty quick. Mine was entirely caused by this but physical exercise made it much worse...climbing would certainly have set it off. Now I can pull and heave all day /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Sorry, but my father's experience of having the op several years ago dosen't concur with the others. He was 62 at the time and he still swears he won't go through the op again for the other hand. For a man who could pass for his early fities, his hands could be those of someone in their eighties. His hands are so bad that he has difficulty drying his hair, let alone doing repeditive tasks.

Before you proceed with any op, best get several professional opinions. Good luck
 
I do a lot of cycling and the surgery was a godsend. Even allowed me to use mountain bike bars. Before the surgery I had to use the wrapped racing bars because they allowed me to constantly change my hand positions, necessary if I was going to keep them from going to sleep. And I couldn't go off-road, too tough on my hands.
 
I have been suffering since Feb this year, steadily getting worse. I am taking strong anti inflam drugs, but they are merely scratching the surface. I have been slowly working through the labarinth of local NHS - Nerve induction study is normally a good indicator whether it is CTS, but mine did not show any significant difference to normal. Last visit, I had an injection on inside of wrist (steroid of some type. This has made a fair difference to the severity of the symptoms in that hand, but seems to be wearing off. I had an MRI scan today to confirm that the problem is not masking something else, and re-visit specialist in November where I expect they will finaly decide to chop both hands at last.

Some good data here

It takes forever through NHS unless you know somebody who will do it in another country, so the sooner you start the better. From my research it is better to establish that it is CTS and not RSI as one appears to be a minor and correctable problem, whereas the other will only get worse.

contact me if you want more data etc.
 
I had the op on my right hand about 18 months ago. It takes nearly a year to get the strength back but at least the numbness and pain has gone now.
 
Jimi,

1. Listen to Cutter - he's the expert!

2. I've had the op on both hands. One was an outstanding success - instant cure. The other one is 90% cured and they are thinking about having another go at it as the nerve is still trapped somewhere. I have no problem with this - they didn't miss a bit on purpose, and I don't blame the surgeon.

3. The tests to discover whether its Repetitive Strain or Carpal Tunnel are simple. One test is to bend your hand (palm down) quite hard and wait a minute or two. Do you get pins and needles in your thumb, index second finger? (sometimes to the inside of the ring finger as well?) Be brave and go and see a doctor and tell him about it. Round here the waiting list was a matter of weeks, so don't believe all the doom and gloom merchants. It is a very successful and common operation, and I am amazed that some doctors are reported as not knowing about it.

4. I was told that the compression of the nerve is progressive and although physio might alleviate the symptons for a while, it WILL NOT cure it. Eventually you get muscle degeneration round the base of the thumb/palm. I had the op because I was kept awake at night by the pain and/or pins and needles.

5. And yes I am the sad person who has it done under local so I can watch and ask questions about the anatomy inside my wrist!
 
Many thanks to all. Just been to see the quack and been referred for surgery, although they think they may insist on the nerve conductivity test first despite it appearing to be a clear case for wrist slitting!
 
delighted to hear that. Make sure its a proper wrist slasher not your jobbing bone setter. Spent a year doing hand surgery so know a biit about it - despite my current occupation. Still happy to do it live at chbg if you want to come!!
 
Will someone set up a web cam for this...... No anaesthetic we want sound too!

In fact two camera's, one on the wrist and one on Jimi's face.

Maybe we could set up online voting during the op, should the surgeon use the clean scalpel or the blunt fish knife found in the anchor locker?

Which thread should we use to stitch him up, or someone has just found these sail bungees shall we try them?
 
The real test would be

Cutter giving instruction over the VHF, whilst I do the op as instructed whilst single handed mid channel in a F6 ... no thanks .. Pete Goss was a real man ... I'm jist a wee jessie!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

cyberkryten
We finally bought a boat - Merry Fisher 895s2
2 3
Replies
41
Views
2K
Cathy*
C
E
Nimbus 305 or Marex 330
Replies
19
Views
748
Time Out
T

Share this page

Top