I just found out I have carpal tunnel and I hadn't ever heard about it. I am 16 years old and will have to get surgery at a later date but I am not sure when yet. I was trying to find out information on the internet about this since I had never heard of it and I understand about the pinching which makes of a nerve which is why my hand hurts but I don't know much else about it. I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything. I'm guess I'm basically wondering how I got it? I'm wondering about surgery? and I am wondering about after surgery if I can write {since I am right handed and it is my right hand that has a severe case of this} or if I can go to work? {I make pizzas at a local pizza place} I'd appreciate any other information you could give me as well. Thanks!

Go to www.google.com (http://www.google.com) and enter "carpal tunnel". You should get a huge list of references that will answer all of your questions. You are very young to have this, I think. The literature shows the predominant age to be 40-60. I hope you have a good doctor who does all of the appropriate tests to be sure of the diagnosis. Surgery should be a last resort. Please don't jump into that before finding out about all of your options.
good luck.

You get carpal tunnel from doing repetitive jobs such as typing. I have been typing for 26 years which is how I acquired mine. Usually you only have surgery if nothing else works. In the beginning mine was really bad so that I couldn't sleep at night. I asked around and it was suggested to try a chiropractor. Since doing this, (I also tape my wrists up at work and wear and brace at night so I don't bend my wrists in bed), my monthly appointments to the chiro have helped. I haven't had any problems since. I have talked to other people who have had the surgery and although they say they are glad they had the surgery, it comes back and they have to have the surgery again. After the surgery, it is painful. Good luck!

Well, it's good to know that I'm not the only sixteen year old out there with this "lovely" ailment. Do you sense my sarcasm? I was diagnosed two years ago, but it was very mild so not much was done. We were more worried about getting the tumor out of my hand. Anyway, it has flared up lately and I need to go back to the doctor. I've been wearing a brace for awhile now, but it isn't helping. All I can say, is if you are going to do the surgery, be aware of anything that culd go wrong. I know someone who had surgery that was very successful and she recovered quickly. However, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/nono.gif as it does all too often, it recurred. Just think long and hard and I know you'll make the right decision.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif ~braindead~