Two years ago this october i had the carpel tunnel release surgery. I am finding now and about 6 months after the surgery I have more pain than ever before. I had the nerve conductment test on my arm again, and it showed it was normal. But I am still dropping things constantly and the pain is worse than ever before. I have tried ibuprofen for the pain and it dont seem to help. After my surgery my pinky finger went totally black...i immediatly called my doctor and went in for a check up and he told me that i had ...and i quote...."a weird pinky finger" I have talked with a few people that has had the surgery before and most of them feel great with their hands now...but now I have limited use of my hand. I can use it but when it comes to opening a simple jar of jelly or a milk jug lid I cant do it...I dont have any strength in it..and it will throb with pain all the way up to my elbow....I just dont know what is going on anymore....any advice out there???? email me ...please... rstygar@scti.net

yes,it is possible to still have it. i also had the surgery, right hand 1997 left hand 2000......i still have stiffness and some pain and definetly no strength. the pain is much better then it was though. I wish you luck. I think this is just something we will always have.

I have chronic pain in my forearm from carpal tunnel not corrected by surgery. My surgeon said it was RSD, an injury to the already existing carpal tunnel injury. I can due most things without further damaging my hands/arms. Lifting heavy objects (5 lbs.) or driving a lot, I have been told not to do.I am taking VIOXX, with good results.
You need to get off the ibuprofen. I reached a point where the ibuprofen was not helping me at all(it can cause internal bleeding).
If your doctor(gp) won't put you on VIOXX, go to someone who will. You can also try celebrex.

I read on a website that pain could be worse than the surgery before if the surgeon did not fully cut through the whole ligament. Has your surgeon/dr. said anything about that?

I'd really be interested in hearing from people with recurring pain post surgery as I'm going in later this week.

Seven months ago I had surgery in all four places at once, each wrist and each elbow. I have felt great till two days ago when, without warning, my right hand started having the same old feelings, just not as bad. The underside of the wrist has a swollen place which is very hard and raised. It feels as though the nerve to my hand is being squeezed. My fingers are pulled a little inward toward the palm and are very painful to straighten out. I cannot grip or twist anything.

Also, just before this with my hand started, my shoulder was very, very sore and stiff. I thought I had just slept on that side too long. Then the stiffness in the shoulder went away and the hand problem started. Does anyone know if this has any relationship.

I do not work and have been limiting my use of the computer. But a few days before this problem started, I played several games of solitarie for two days in a row. I think this triggered my current problem. I will stay away from all games from now own.

Please let me hear from someone who has had similar problems.

Thanks,

BLM

About 8 mos. ago i had bilateral carpal tunnel surgery. The operation was performed by a neurosurgeon. The neuro never suggested that i go for physical therapy. Shortly after having the surgery i developed excruciating pain and stiffness in both my hands and wrist. Couldnt sleep or perform the easiest of tasks. My hands started turning blue. I went to an orthopedic dr. who said i may have developed RSD. He sent me to a pain mgmt. clinic where they did a series of nerve block injections and also sent me for physical therapy. Gradually the pain started easing up and the strength and color came back. Today i am not on any meds. and i am off the nerve block injections. The key to all of this is simple.....find a good dr. who is familar with RSD.