Carpel Tunnel op

[Jules]

I know I could have pmed Ramrod with this as he is an absolute star with advice about this sort of stuff but I am also interested in what other peoples thoughts are that maybe have had the op.

Did it work or is it worse after having it done as seems to be the case with a lot of people

[Tuftus]

A chap I work with had the op on both hands, it took him a while to get his grip back to anywhere near normal but he said that it is much better after the op though.

[Ramrod]

The op can be marvellous. The only thing that I would add is that I personally would exhaust all non-surgical avenues before having someone cut me........but it's easy for me to say that as I have easy access to treatment for this kind of thing.
What are your symptoms?
How long have you had the symptoms?
Why did they start?
What makes them worse?

[Jules]

Had the symptoms since I was pregnant with my son over 14 years ago. I can't grip a pen for more than a minute with out getting pins and needles and numbness in my fingers have to keep putting my knife and fork down when I am eating, even holding the steering wheel when I drive brings it on. I have splints to sleep in on a night but I don't often use then and often wake up with my hands clenched in fists and all numb and tingling and they can be painful to open

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by whyme38

Had the symptoms since I was pregnant with my son over 14 years ago. I can't grip a pen for more than a minute with out getting pins and needles and numbness in my fingers have to keep putting my knife and fork down when I am eating, even holding the steering wheel when I drive brings it on. I have splints to sleep in on a night but I don't often use then and often wake up with my hands clenched in fists and all numb and tingling and they can be painful to open

Crikey, thats a long time to have those Sx.
The splints can help a lot-use them every night.
All I would suggest extra is that someone looks at your forearm muscles to see if they are too tight (affecting the median nerve) and to try mobilizing your wrist bones (carpals) + ultrasounding your wrist.
While you are having all that done it would be wise to put yourself on the waiting list for the op so that if the conservative treatment isn't successful then you have the surgery date coming down the line.
It would also be wise to check that it is actually carpal tunnel syndrome that you are suffering from because you might have thoracic outlet syndrome (or both)

[Jules]

Tell me more please Rammy

[Angua]

Originally Posted by whyme38

Had the symptoms since I was pregnant with my son over 14 years ago. I can't grip a pen for more than a minute with out getting pins and needles and numbness in my fingers have to keep putting my knife and fork down when I am eating, even holding the steering wheel when I drive brings it on. I have splints to sleep in on a night but I don't often use then and often wake up with my hands clenched in fists and all numb and tingling and they can be painful to open

They have learnt a thing or three since then as I was given wrist supports whilst I was in hospital with pre-eclampsia before having my daughter 9 years ago. Perhaps this is why

Good luck

[Jules]

I have a few health problems that I need to sort out but as this problem is getting worse it is moving higher up the list lol

Thanks Rammy I googled it and things are a little clearer now and you have certainly given me some thing to talk to my doctor about