carpal tunnel surgery

[rockrat]

Carpal tunnel showed its ugly head unexpectedly around here. Haven't cast any for two months. Doc wants to do surgery, but I want to wait til November.

Started with a sharp pain down the side of the middle finger. One minute it wasn't there, next minute pain like I can't remember. Felt like someone drove a railroad spike in my finger. Doc gave me a shot in the wrist, pain was mostly gone within a couple of hours
Its sensitive now, I am just careful what I do. Messed up my golf game and my casting, worst parts.

So, who else has had the surgery, and which one? Orthoscopic or regular surgery and how did it work out for you?

[RKJ]

My wife had it done and she is worse now than before the operation. On the other side a guy I work with had it done and he raves about it. I know I would pick my doctor very carefully.

[Rick N Bama]

I had Orthoscopic surgery for it some 12 years ago & wouldn't take anything for it. It was instant relief from the pain.

Rick

[smoked turkey]

rockrat I had regular surgery about ten years ago. I had a severe case of it with quite a bit of numbness in both hands and terrific pain at night to the extent I couldn't sleep at night without getting out of bed and going to my recliner in the living room. I could get some relief that way and I spent many many nights in that recliner. My surgeon said my goal is for you to be able to sleep at night. It did that for me. I will say the longer you wait the more permanent damage to the nerves in your hands you will have. I still have numbness and occasional hand pain because I waited too long to have the surgery. I am not speaking as much to the way you have the surgery done, only that you have it done before permanent damage sets in. Some try different non-surgical approaches such as arm braces or therapy. They didn't work for me. Surgery did.

[sparky45]

Get a good Dr. that's proficient in this procedure. Most Dr's today will use the Scope technique, it takes about 10-15 min and it's an outpatient procedure. Make sure you get a/an Anesthesia provider that is excellent with Block procedures. It's painless upon insertion and can provide hours of post op pain relief. I know, I worked as a Anesthesia Provider for 35 years.

[Rex]

Had regular surgery to right hand about 3 years ago, great results. Had the same done to my left hand the 7th of January and have had wrist pain and pain in the palm of my hand, numbness has pretty well gone.

[dbosman]

I'd be a little suspicious of a surgeon who wanted to schedule surgery for a sudden onset issue.
There are a number of tests that should be done prior to a proper diagnosis.
Go here for more information.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/DS00326/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

My first exposure to a cure was a sports medicine physician (DO) who'd interned in Europe. He cracked , by stretching, every joint in my hand and wrist. It hurt like the dickens for a minute, then no pain at all for a month. He died a couple of years later so I can't refer you. I've not found anyone since who can do that, and I've tried some very muscular massage therapists. What I can do is interlace my fingers very tightly, while pulling one arm away from the other. The sound is just like cracking knuckles as it's the same activity.

Laying off the specific movements that created the problem for me, is enough though. Casting and loading isn't in that area fortunately for me.

[Boondocker]

I had ortho both hands 6 years ago. Best thing I ever did after a few years of agony. 30 yrs of wrenching stretched them all out. I did 6 weeks each off therapy to break out the adhesion s from it. I then went and had the ulna nerve done but a little late, my left pinky and half my ring finger are numb for life.

[altheating]

Had surgery 16 weeks ago (5 weeks apart). Tingling stopped half way through the surgery. No pain since! My surgery was done as out patient with novacaine only.

[10-x]

Had it bad in both wrist, had regular surgery 25 ? years ago on right, instant relief. Dr. used the bier block, awake on my back during whole proceedure, talked about hot rods and drag racing as the Dr.was into racing. Had left one done last year by a group the daughter and SIL work for, no problems. Ask lots of folks who've had it done by the Dr. you pick.

[badgeredd]

I had orthoscopic surgery on the right hand in March and then the left hand in April. Not bad at all and the tingling, numbness and pain are gone. I'd sugest you look for a specialist though. I had a specialist but some people I know did not. A couple had to have the surgery a second time and one had to have it done 3 times. I rode the Harley on a trip in late May covering 1000 miles. I'd say the surgery cured my problem.

Edd

[fecmech]

I had it done to both wrists almost 40 years ago. At the time it was regular surgery that they put me out for and I was in the hospital for a couple days. No problems since the surgery.

[TreeKiller]

Had both hands done in 2004 right in April and the left in July went back to work in Sept. Surgery was done open. Have lost a little grip in both hands but no pain and would do it again if needed.Waited too long and lost some muscle by the thumbs.

[Wal']

Had my right wrist done 6 months back, no anesthesia, some kind of blood block, which numbed my arm & wrist, in & out of surgery 3 hrs, 3/4 inch incision.
Maybe 4-6 weeks of tenderness & now nothing but a complete normal wrist, no pain or numbness.

[sleeper1428]

Get a good Dr. that's proficient in this procedure. Most Dr's today will use the Scope technique, it takes about 10-15 min and it's an outpatient procedure. Make sure you get a/an Anesthesia provider that is excellent with Block procedures. It's painless upon insertion and can provide hours of post op pain relief. I know, I worked as a Anesthesia Provider for 35 years.

It's good to know that there are other Anesthesia Providers on the forum! I taught and practiced the Art and Science of Anesthesiology for over 30 years and I certainly agree with you that carpal tunnel surgery is very amenable to regional anesthesia. One of my favorite techniques for this surgery was the Bier Block (IV regional anesthesia) with the surgeon injecting the area of the surgery with a long acting local before the tourniquet was released. Lots of ways to 'skin that cat' when it comes to regional anesthesia...

sleeper1428

[Cane_man]

my 76 year old mom just had it done to both wrists over the last 4 months with complete success, no more pain and regaining strength weekly

[LEADHOPPER]

Had both on mine done last year. The left wrist in Feb. and the right wrist in Nov. Numbness and tingling is all but gone. Doc did use the Bier block which is a blessing as you are awake for the whole thing. Didn't even know he had started until he asked for suction. Did lose a little on my grip strength but doc said it would come with time. Waited 10 years to finally have it done. Being a machinist takes its toll on your hands. Wish I would have done it earlier. Find a good doc and you shouldn't have any problems. Wish the best of luck to you in getting that taken care of.

LH

[MaryB]

I had it done 4 years ago, numbness gone but wrist pain is creeping back in.

[Huskerguy]

My wife had it done about a year ago. Took longer to get ready than to do the surgery. She had a trigger thumb and he fixed it at the same time. Both are good now. She was glad she did it. I would also say she was never one to go to the chiropractor like I have but she started and can really see some great results from his work as well. She was good as new in no time, I was surprised at how quickly she healed and was pretty much back to normal.

[chboats]

I had the surgery about 5 years ago and glad I did. I had trouble with the incision healing. That was my fault. I started using it too soon and pulled it open after the stitches were taken out.

Carl

[chboats]

double post

[Blacksmith]

I got enough relief to get by for years by wearing wrist braces especially at night. Also horse liniment helps either Absorbine, liquid or gel, or Sore No More both available in tack stores , farm supply, or Tractor Supply stores. Finally had regular surgery a dozen years ago both hands pain free since

[dagger dog]

I had a form of nerve damage from repetitive stress called cubital tunnel syndrome, that's the "crazy bone" nerve that runs over the elbow and controls 1/2 the ring finger and the small finger.

It was strange to me that it was in the left hand as I'm right handed, worked with my hands in my early years 16-31 following the family trade as a farrier-blacksmith, and 35 years turning wrenches in the automotive industry.

Started as tingling "a sleep" in those fingers upon waking and finally came to no control of those two fingers and total numbness, I was afraid I would get them trapped and damage them and not know it.

Had the surgery, they moved the damaged nerve ,the protective sheath that covers the nerve had rubbed through on one of the bones in the elbow, and pinned it under a flap of muscle to keep it protected. Took about 6 months to get all the "feeling" back.

My surgery gave 100% healing of the constant numbness. I know one fellow that had bilateral cubital and carpal and had to have it done twice.

If you find yourself waking with the arms and hands around your face area with the wrists curled under your chin (fetal position) you probably make the problem worse, the wrist braces as Blacksmith stated, and or elbow braces to keep your arms straight can alleviate some of the symptoms.

I get the carpal and cubital symptoms unless I sleep with my arms straight at my sides, but it does not continue past a few minutes after awaking.

If I have to I would go through surgery again, but it can be a throw of the dice !

[Uncle Jim]

I had ortho done on right hand several years ago with no problems and reglar surgery on left hand 2 years ago that still gives me problems occasionally.

[Vinne]

Carpal tunnel showed its ugly head unexpectedly around here. Haven't cast any for two months. Doc wants to do surgery, but I want to wait til November.

Don't wait too long (Obamacare will kick in), you could be back up and going by November. It is a simple surgery and you are awake and talking. There is a brace you could wear now for most of the time and all night. It helped me and with pills to reduce the swelling I was able to sleep at night.


Started with a sharp pain down the side of the middle finger. One minute it wasn't there, next minute pain like I can't remember. Felt like someone drove a railroad spike in my finger. Doc gave me a shot in the wrist, pain was mostly gone within a couple of hours
Its sensitive now, I am just careful what I do. Messed up my golf game and my casting, worst parts.

My pain went all the way up into the back of the ear. They did all kinds of test in my neck and couldn't figure it out. Then they brought in another doctor and connected me up to this machine and one zap told him what it was.


So, who else has had the surgery, and which one? Orthoscopic or regular surgery and how did it work out for you?

My second surgery in the right hand was in the late 90s. I still have pain sometime but they said I waited too long to have the first one done and they think I have permanent nerve damage. I won't get the left hand done so I just put up with it. I still cast and shoot but if I do too much I have some pain but I take medication and it helps a lot. Let us know how it goes and hang in there...they have learned much in the in the 20+ years.