Over the months I've been here with you I've read that some of you also have carpal tunnel syndrome like me.
At present I have steroid injections into my wrists every 10 - 12 weeks, with good effect, but for a long-term solution they've advised I have the operation.
I would like to know what the recovery is like and how long your hand is out of action for a lot of everyday tasks, and any advice you may have.
Thank you in advance to anyone willing to share this info/advice with me.
Hi there Lucy ,
I lived with carpel tunnel for 6 years . Finally had nerve conduction done and they set me up for surgery. I got one done and two weeks later got the other one done.
It was tuff. There was a lot of pain for me and I consider myself to be pretty tuff. Elevate and use lots if ice. If your able and the Dr. Says it’s okay, be sure to take ibuprofen.
Once the healing starts in be sure to do a lot of massaging to break down the scar tissue. Although it was hard it was very worth it in the end. There are some people that have it done and it’s no big deal. Hopefully that’s what will happen for you. : ) good luck with the surgery , I’m sure you will do great!
Fibroerr
Thanks very much for your advice, I'm planning on having it done after Christmas when my life will be quiet! I'll need both hands then as I've got 4 family members coming to stay!!
I take ibuprofen anyway for my fibro pain, so that will be fine.
The injections work for about 10 weeks then the burning pain and numbness kicks in again, and sometimes I then have to wait a few weeks for an appointment, which means extra loss of sleep.
I have mild CT, which did not explain the terrible wrist pain I had been having, one day I realized that I was always using my hands to hold my sore back or 'wringing my hands' in pain.
I had asked my Internist why the operation worked well for some, and not at all for others, he explained that IF you do not have the nerves crowded together in a small area, you are more likely to have a successful surgery.
Hello Lucy. I have had both wristss operated on. My right hand had a trigger finger , Ulmer nerve realease as well as the wrist operation. Each hand they did one at a time and I was given time for the hand to recover. I bought and stilll use gadgets with wider handles which do help. My right hand was done first as it was the worse. I would say 6 months to recover completly. The left was a bit easer and I would say about 3 months. I could not work for a long while due to my job being a chef.
The operations did work but there is now a lot of weakness. My elbow has been left weak too and I don’t have any feeling init.
This must really be tough on you as a chef! Your hands are your living! I hope you have continued success as far as getting better and stronger! Tried acupuncture?
I hope you can find a lasting solution, Elizabeth!
Hi Lucy, sorry to hear you have pain in your wrists as that is how we all function. I have also been told that I have Carpal Tunnel and need surgery on both. I had CT long ago in each wrist. Once, I was scheduled for surgery but before it happened I happened to bang my wrist on a chair and it released the CT in it. Hurt like !!!!! but it was all better. Ever since then I vowed I would see a chiropractor first before surgery. Also. this time I had the nerve induction test done and it said I had MILD CT yet Dr wants to do surgery. With CT I could not touch my thumb to my baby finger without much pain. This time I can do that so I am very reluctant to see that Dr again. I was told I had some arthritis in my palm which is probably more the truth. So, to you, make sure you get a second opinion. I have not heard anything positive about CT surgery but maybe that is just my experience. Again, I don't profess to be a Dr but be careful to really check it out. Good luck! Do you wear splints at night? I take Meloxicam and it really helps with all my pain but I think you can't take it for long duration.
Hi Lucy, Have no idea hun. Never heard of it. I had a plastic surgeon do mine. The incision is in the crease of my wrist and you really have to look to see it. I was knitting a few hours after the operation. And I had no ,[ none ],pain.
Thanks for the reply, It's good to know that it's generally successful, will be nice not to keep having the injections and be able to knit in comfort again!!!
Just a thought. I have Fibromyalgia and had this operation before I was diagnosed . I am now thinking that it might be Fibromyalgia and not carpal tunnel . Why !! Because my symptoms are back and alas I can't knit any more as it worse this time. So make sure what you have is Carpal Tunnel.
I'm so sorry things didn't work out for you and can no longer knit, I'd be lost without my knitting!
Yes, we're pretty sure it is c/tunnel, I've had some nerve tests done on my wrists/hands and they were very positive and the doc who does my steroid injections says that the tendon that the needle goes into is VERY tight and stiff, she sometimes has a job to plunge the steroid liquid in !
But, I will discuss it further just to make sure...........thank you.
It was in 93 when I had my surgery only on the right wrist ,it had gone so long it went clear around my hand also. It was worth the 3 month recovery till I could work condstruction again ,but the pain was gone and has never returned. Libraries have books that rate Surgeons by their successes that was how I found the guy who did mine .Find someone who specializes or has a really good sucess rate ,because it only works the first time on a third of the people and a third it never helps Good Luck
Many thanks for that great advice, I live near London so I should have plenty of options of good surgeons, will do some research, I want it to work as like you It involves the whole area of my hands.
Micro surgery involves about a 1/2 in slit in your wrist. Then they shove the instrument into your hand from the incision. Then they do what they have to and then seal you back up. The scar is minimal. Recover time was now with me. What bothered me was where he shoved the instrument into my hand. But that is just periotic pain. Nothing to worry about. An the way I see it is this. Nothing is a sure cure. You never will have it the way God gave it to you. But this operation is a close second.
Yes, I need something doing, the steroid injections are all well and good and do help but only for about 8 weeks then I'm back to square one, waiting to get another injection done !!