Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[borderterribles]

I've had CTS for the last thirty years to some degree. Sometimes it is worse than others, but more recently, it has become more of a problem. Anyone on here had the operation? Is it worth it? I've heard as many negative reports as positive ones, so I'm unsure as to what to do.

 

[Selectamatic]

I've had CTS for the last thirty years to some degree. Sometimes it is worse than others, but more recently, it has become more of a problem. Anyone on here had the operation? Is it worth it? I've heard as many negative reports as positive ones, so I'm unsure as to what to do.

Can you tell me what CT is like please? I think that I might have it too...

 

[Mr Happy]

I had the operation 10 years ago on my left hand only. It improved things no end and got rid of the constant pain. I was told it may not be a long term cure as it runs in the family.

 

[Kidds]

Missus had hers done maybe 10 years ago so would have been 30 ish. Used to complain a lot back then but rarely (if ever) mentions it these days so obviously worked.

 

[Boysground]

Mrs bg had hers done a few years ago. it was a massive improvement. especially as she does not need the cortisone injections now. it does play up a little. she has lost some of the strength and presision in her wrist movement. I'm sure she will say get on and have the opp

Bg

 

[milkloss]

Don't leave it too late, I gather some of the symptoms will stay with you otherwise.

 

[banjo]

I'm not sure if it's the same thing but when I used to race motocross some top lads used to have an op to stop arm pump up ( your forearms would go numb and solid and you could not hold the handlebars) and it worked well apparently.
The op puts several slices in the membrane around the forearm muscle and this reduced the build up of lactic acid.
Go for it if it is!

 

[JLLM]

I've had CTS for the last thirty years to some degree. Sometimes it is worse than others, but more recently, it has become more of a problem. Anyone on here had the operation? Is it worth it? I've heard as many negative reports as positive ones, so I'm unsure as to what to do.

Have you actually been tested?, my 4 sisters have all had the op and its worked well, I have symptoms and have been tested twice but don't have it, the doctor put me on a low dose of Amytriptaline and it dose a good job of reducing the numbness.

 

[Alicecow]

Have you been to a Physiotherapist ? They could give you some exercises to do which could help. Also be quicker to get seen than waiting for an operation.

 

[borderterribles]

Have you actually been tested?, my 4 sisters have all had the op and its worked well, I have symptoms and have been tested twice but don't have it, the doctor put me on a low dose of Amytriptaline and it dose a good job of reducing the numbness.

Yes, I've had the tests done at the hospital, and they said 95% in my left wrist, and 85% in my right one. Not sûre what these percentages mean though. At the time I had the tests, I was a one man band tenant dairy farmer, and like many others in the same position, was unable to voluntarily have the necessary time off to recuperate from the operation, so I didn't proceed with it.

 

[borderterribles]

Can you tell me what CT is like please? I think that I might have it too...

My symptoms are pins and needles in the fingers of both hands, particularly when driving, an inability to grip things properly, tools, handrails etc, pain in my wrists from lifting even not very heavy things.

 

[borderterribles]

Have you been to a Physiotherapist ? They could give you some exercises to do which could help. Also be quicker to get seen than waiting for an operation.

I haven't been for Physio on my wrists, but I wear those stiff plastic supports, with the velcro straps , at night, when they are particularly bad.

 

[borderterribles]

Don't leave it too late, I gather some of the symptoms will stay with you otherwise.

Ooer! I hope thirty years isn't too late!!!

 

[milkloss]

Ooer! I hope thirty years isn't too late!!!

Going by your post above I'd crack on and get it done. I think it's the nerve damage that can be a problem. My father would try and lean on the wood stove to stand up sometimes and not immediately realise

 

[Alicecow]

I haven't been for Physio on my wrists, but I wear those stiff plastic supports, with the velcro straps , at night, when they are particularly bad.

Be worth doing. I had CTS when I was pregnant, physio gave me splints for night time and exercises for daytime. It still flares up occasionally so then I do the exercises again and it helps.

 

[borderterribles]

Be worth doing. I had CTS when I was pregnant, physio gave me splints for night time and exercises for daytime. It still flares up occasionally so then I do the exercises again and it helps.

Thanks, I'll look into that

 

[grainboy]

Use to have intense pins and needles at night, was literally a nightmare, at the joint of wrist and palm, the nerves go through a ring of muscle, when this is restricted it causes the symptoms, the operation opens this ring so removing the pain,
As been self employed, had both done at once, under general, had about week off, then back to work with hand splints,
Symptoms disappeared, now just have age related pains elsewhere,

 

[Andrew K]

Had both wrists done 12 years ago, but cant say it made a massive difference for me.Should have done one, left one?

 

[borderterribles]

Had both wrists done 12 years ago, but cant say it made a massive difference for me.Should have done one, left one?

So do your wrists still hurt as much as before? Have they got worse, did the ops buy you any respite, at all? This is what concerns me, my BIL had both done together, and hasn't seen any improvement!

 

[Andrew K]

I think I was possibly misdiagnosed , as shortly after i was confirmed a type 2 diabetic, which can give similar issues.
The way to look at it in my view is "do you have trouble keeping your fingers straight, do they try to curl up all the time?" Normally that is a symptom, I didnt have that.