Hi all,

My name is Missy and I am 37 years old. I am newly diagnosed with carpal tunnel and trigger thumb on my right hand. My trouble with the thumb was actually very bad. I had to receive a cortisone shot on my very first visit to an ortho Dr. He said I have carpal tunnel and trigger thumb and sent me to a neurologist for evaluation and EMG to see how bad the carpal tunnel actually was. I saw the neurologist on Wednesday and he said my nerve damage was very moderate just below what they consider to be severe. My significant other says I should not rush into surgery and should instead opt for exercises and splinting. My feeling is this won't help. Does anyone else out there feel like this? Does exercise actually help at all? I joined a different board and asked the same questions and that was 4 days ago. I have not yet received any replies. I hope someone out there on this board can help quell my fears. I am very nervous about the prospect of surgery and dread having to be out fo work for possibly 3 weeks. I see my ortho Dr again next Wednesday and will see what he says about the neurologists findings. Any help would be appreciated.

Missy

Sweetbratmissy - Did the neurologist suggest that you needed surgery? If not, I assume your orthopod will address this. I did not have time for exercises, etc. I wore a splint at night for a years, but the pain became severe. The EMG was done and indicated surgery need to be done on my right hand. Believe me the surgery was not frightening or terribly invasive. I was off work two weeks, and have not had any pain since. It was a great success. I have had two other surgeries for other things, and this was the least scary of them all. The day after I called my dghtr and said "let's go shopping". That's how good I felt. Maggie

Thanks Maggie. The neurologist definitely suggested surgery. At least that is what my Ortho Dr told me and when I was at the Neurologists office he led me to believe what I had was bad. I went ahead and scheduled the surgery for as soon as possible. I did so for many reasons, school starts in 3 weeks and I might be starting a new job as a 911 dispatcher. I didn't want to begin a new job with a CTS problem.


Missy

Good Luck, Missy - let me know how you're doing. Maggie

Hi all,

I am now home from my surgery and in the pre-op area I got to talk to my Dr and he said he really felt that we should wait and see if the trigger thumb rights itself. He said the added surgery on thumb poses too many risks at this point in the game. I am feeling good right now and I think I really surprised the nurses with how fast I was awake and ready to go. My fingers were not numb after surgery but now that I am home they are very numb. I took my percocet and I am going to go and lay down for a bit. I really am surprised how much mobility I have with my hand. If all continues to go well I will be back to work on Thursday. I also went and bought a trackball to use at work so that should make my job alot easier. Thanks again everyone for your well wishes and good thoughts.

Missy

Hi Missy - glad to hear your surgery went O.K. If your fingers continue to be numb, I would mention this to the Doc. Do you have a bandage or something that might be too tight? I wouldn't want to speculate on this as I'm not qualified to give advice. I don't recall any numbness but then everyone's different. Continued good luck. Maggie

Hi,

This morning the numbness has subsided quite a bit. Surprisingly most of my discomfort is mostly in my thumb area. I really am surprised that the pain is so tolerable right now. I was expecting to be in a great deal of pain. One of the hardest things right now is trying how to take care of personal hygiene after using the bathroon. The surgery was done on my right hand and trying to use my left to do it is quite hard.

I am ready to go back to work and I am feeling bad for missing out today and tomorrow. Especially since I feel so well.

:wave:
Missy

Missy - I know what you mean. Mine was the right hand also. Ver-r-ry difficult. Glad to hear you feel good. Bet you're glad it's over. Regards, Maggie