tony
12-17-2000, 12:28 PM
I t has been 6 weeks since i had bilateral cts. Since the surgery i have a lot of pain and stiffness on the pinky side of my hands extending down to my wrist and at times up to my elbow. The pain is a throbbing burning pain. I have stiffness in my fingers. My doctor says i have some arthritis in my hands and part of the pain is a part of the healing process. He told me it could take up to 8 mos. after cts to be pain free and have full dexterity back. H as anyone who had cts experienced the same problems?? If so i would really appreciate a response. Thanks.
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cwalker
12-17-2000, 08:55 PM
Tony, what were your symptoms before surgery? And who did your surgery? neuro or ortho? Of course, the little finger isn't involved in carpal tunnel, so it sounds like you have a new set of problems. It is just my gut feeling based on 25 years as an RN, but if all this is new for you, there is something wrong. I'd get a second opinion, (if you could find someone you trust and who wouldn't feel like they were stepping on the surgeon's toes.) Find an ortho hand specialist, I think they do a good job usually and are easier to talk to than the neuro guys.
tony
12-18-2000, 01:52 PM
Thanks for your reply. A well respected neurosurgeon did my surgery. Its a different kind of pain and discomfort that i am experiencing now than prior to the cts. I have constant pain throughout my hands and wrist. My fingers swell and the palms of my hands get very red. I havent the strength in my hands now that i had prior to the surgery. I have gone to a neurologist and an mri of my cervical spine shows arthritis with spurs a several of my cervical disks. He feels that could be causing the problems that i am having. I am still contemplating on taking your advice and seeking a hand specialist for another opinion. Thanks for your advice and response. I appreciate it.
cwalker
12-18-2000, 08:43 PM
Tony, check out the website for RSD, as another post mentioned. This is a definite possibility. Sounds like you are having a terrible time. Good luck with your diagnosis and treatment.
Charlie Weaver
12-27-2000, 08:37 PM
Tony, I had CTS on both hands in January and March 1997. It takes a good year for your hands to heal, but I agree that it sounds like an entirely different problem. I had my surgery done by an ortho doctor and my scar is only 1 inch long on each wrist/hand area. I went to PT for a good while after wards and every now and again I still try to squeeze a tennis ball when those areas start acting up. Good luck to you,
Carol
12-31-2000, 10:42 AM
I agree w/Charlie. I think it is something totally different. I had surgery on both my hands also and it took a year.....You will have some minor pain but the swelling should go away almost right away. THey tell you it takes 6 weeks before you can really do everything again....The pinky is definitely something else.......Good luck to you.
Lynn893
01-28-2001, 11:12 PM
Tony:
I would do some research on "Ulnar nerve" as it sounds like yours may have been damaged during your operation.
Peace :)
I would do some research on "Ulnar nerve" as it sounds like yours may have been damaged during your operation.
Peace :)
tony
02-04-2001, 11:42 AM
Cwalker.........Thank you very much for recommending that i look at the RSD board for a possible cause of my problems after i had bilateral cts. I went to an orthopedic dr. and he diagnosed my problems as RSD. I had three nerve block injections on each side and i am currently going for physical therapy a couple times a week. Though i cannot say that i am 100% better i am certainly 50% better. I dont have the excruciating burning sensation anymore. My biggest complaint is a aching, stiffness type of pain which the orthopedic dr. feels could possibly be arthritis. But that is a pain i can live certainly live with. Before reading your reply post to me i had never heard of RSD. I sincerely appreciate your advice. Thank you so much. May God bless you.
cwalker
02-05-2001, 10:06 PM
Tony, You made my day! Thank you. I am so glad that you have obtained some relief. Hope you keep improving. I am really happy that I could help.
Cynthia
Cynthia
Dee-Dee
03-12-2001, 06:11 PM
Tony, I had the Bil.CTR surgery almost 2 years ago. At first, my hands were feeling much better-- They stopped falling asleep when I did, & the pain was much easier to tolerate. Now, they are even worse than before the surgery. I do not blame the surgeon-- I worked with him in sugery almost every day, I know he is a very competent surgeon! But, I knew going into the sugery that it is not 100% effective. With the open surgery (which I had), for my surgeon, he had a success rate of 90% & for endoscopic CTS, it was 80%. I just happened to be one of the people that it didn't help. I have had to stop working in sugery & go back to school. It was not my 1st career choice, but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. I FEEL YOUR PAIN! GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!