I was recently diagnosed with CTS by my PCP, she referred me to a neurologist who performed an EMG/NCV test. His diagnosis was moderately severe CTS in both wrists, right being worse than the left. I have an appointment to see my PCP on 6/25, what would be the possible next step in dealing with this problem? TIA for any help.

He will probably want you in for surgery on one,and then the other....it's not as bad as everyone makes it seem,it's just slow healing........good luck!

On October 12, 2000 I had laser surgery on both wrists and traditional surgery on both elbows, all 4 surgerys at once.

I recovered quite nicely, however I still have some soreness in my right elbow, with this being the worst place even before surgery.

I had total and complete support from my dear husband and I would highly recommend anyone who is to have this type of surgery to think about doing these all at once. For one thing, one hospital time, one bill, one of everything.

They told me I would not be able to do anything for myself for about 2 weeks, but in 2 days I was holding and pouring my own cup of coffee and doing the bathroom by myself. I did have to have help with shower/bath until I went back for my 2 weeks checkup and could take all the bandages off and get the incisions wet.

Good luck with your CTS.

barb

Thanks for the tips...I have thought about having both hands done at the same time, but I am very reluctant to do that. I am not opposed to having the surgery either because I am bothered by this problem 24/7. I am worried about the time off work due to the fact that we are short-staffed at my office and I don't want to be off work very long. I answer the phone, take messages, type, copy, etc...basic office work, but I figure I could go in and do limited work (answer phone is the biggest task) with just one hand.

Thanks again for your input...I'm glad I'm not the only one in this situation!
Judy

[This message has been edited by judy1026 (edited 06-20-2001).]

I just went in about a month ago and had one of my hands done. I stayed off work on doctor's orders for 2 weeks, but he said that some people are able to return to work after surgery the next day. I probably could have returned to work sooner, but it being my dominant hand I had the surgery on, it would've been difficult to not use it.

It still hurts a little bit, but nothing like before. The day after the surgery I took 4 ibuprofen all day - instead of the vioxx and 8-16 advils I was taking before the surgery.

I would recommend looking into other forms of treatment before jumping headlong into the surgery, esp. if you are reluctant to take the time off of work. PT worked fairly well, and acupuncture helped take the pain away - but both only worked to a point, and stopped working when I stopped going. It's a way to get you through the pain until you decide to do something else, however. I would NOT recommend cortisone shots.

Good luck to you!

It would be adviseable to have only one hand done at a time, for a few weeks your dominant hand is pretty worthless and you can't even use it to wipe your behind, at least you have another hand that can at least perform some of the duties of the dominant hand while it is in a cast or brace. I had mine done on May 2 and I still have difficulty with wiping with that hand.

I agree, i would not recommend having them both done at the same time.you wont be able to do anything,including dress yourself if you do that........good luck

Judy, I think that you need to do conservative treatment before you consider surgery. You can try splinting, cortisone injections, vit B12.

Maria

The conservative measures I have taken so far have been B6 - tried it for over a year, no relief; splints - worn at night, and then more during the day...still wake up in the middle of the night in severe pain; and anti-inflamatory drugs - no relief with those either. I am not a fan of cortisone injections...I feel that it is a temporary solution, a "quick fix" and that there is more damage that could be done under a cortisone injection. I know that some people have them and they work, but I am not willing to do that.

Thank you for your advice...I go to my dr. on Monday and we'll see what she says...

Judy

Well, I saw my dr. today and she suggested an appointment with a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic hand surgeon. I'm at the point where I just want to get this fixed. We'll see how it goes.

I have a consultation appointment with a neurosurgeon on the 16th. My dr. feels that they will want to go ahead with the surgery. My only problem is that recently, I have been waking up with my whole hand numb/tingly (including the pinky). This is a new thing, I usually wake up and only the first three fingers are numb. I will explain this to the neuro, but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this problem. Thanks for all your help!

Judy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I went for my appt. with the neurosurgeon on the 16th. My surgery is scheduled for 8/1/01. I am ready to have this over with...but then looking ahead to mid September to have my left hand done.

I had symptoms for about 14 months. On about the 12th month, wrists/shoulder x-rayed and ortho doctor suggested I go in for the nerve conduction study. My right hand was moderate-severe and left was mild/moderate. I believe I had waited so long to check it out that I didn't want to take the chance of permanently damaging the nerves. I have never regretted having the surgery in my right hand. The left I can manage with.

I have just been diagnosed with CTS, and have been recommended surgery. I notice you had yours yesterday, I hope it went well and is successful for you. I would like to know what the dressing after surgery is like (ie how limiting to any movement), my doctor just said I would not be able to drive, and every day things might be difficult. I have a 10 month baby and if I can't use my hand at all, I'll need to enlist some friends to help me.

My daughter was about that age when i had my surgery and i needed help becuase i couldn't even change her diaper.you don't realize how much you need two hands to do certain things until you go to do them. good luck.

How did your surgery go? I hope you are doing ok just please be careful and try not to use your hand please allow time for it to heal. I know you probably don't feel like answering but when you do feel like it let us hear from you. I don't know what kind of dressing they used on your hand, but I had a half cast and could not use the hand I had surgery on at all per Dr. orders and then when I went back in 10 days I was told I couldn't lift anything over 2 lbs I never got over 5 lbs because mine was so severe on either hand and my employer made me go back to work on light duty. That was a joke Anyway please take care of your hands after surgery give them time to heal because it will cause more problems if you don't I have developed Carpal Tunnel again in both hands. Good luck and take care God Bless

[This message has been edited by Bamabrneyes2 (edited 08-05-2001).]

wow, you had a cast? mine were both only wrapped in an ace bandage with gauze underneath.i think you never totally get rid of CT, you just ease the pain and deal with it. i also wish you the best and let us know how it went for you.

Hi all,

I had my surgery last Wednesday and all went well. My hand is pretty much immobile - wrapped with gauze and then an Ace bandage over the gauze. I can wiggle my fingers with no pain, but I can't lift anything (like open the car door, etc...) I am pretty much off of the darvoset (for pain), and I go back to have the dressing changed tomorrow - the stitches stay in til the 21st.

I would suggest that you enlist the help of your friends...like Carol said, you don't realize how much you rely on both of your hands...no matter which one is your prominent one.

Thanks for all your concern...I'm typing this one-handed (I'm letting it heal!) I will let you all know what the dr says tomorrow and when we schedule the left hand. Thanks again...God bless

Judy

I have CTS in both hands. My doctor has recommended surgery. I am trying to schedule it (dominant hand 1st) but have some specific recovery questions. I am also trying to figure out what help I will need as I am single. So, here is my list of questions. Answers to any and all will be appreciated.

Will my fingers be of any use at all during the first few days? (For things like hooking pants or holding bra in place while fastening with other hand.)

Will I be able to stay by myself the first day or so?

What are the hardest things to do?

How big is the bandage? Do your fingers stick out?

Is a sling required? If so, for how long?

I am a lawyer so my hand is not essential in my work (helpful but not essential). How long will it be before I will be pain free/meds free enough to go to work? From what I have gathered from other postings, two or three days at home should be enough. Am I being overly optomistic?

How long will it be before I can write and use my hand without grimacing? (I need to figure out how much time to allow b/w surgery and a trial.)

Thanks for your time and any assitance you can provide.

Hi,

I can only offer answers based on my own surgery, but here goes:

I could not hook my bra (my husband has to help...I still can't do that by myself) but that is basically the only thing I can't do regarding dressing and care of myself.

You will probably want someone with you the first day, but after that you might be ok...it all depends on how independent you want to be...my husband took off the day of my surgery, and then two days after that as well...it was helpful and nice to be waited on.

The hardest things for me were, pulling up my pants/shorts, not using the hand that was operated on, and eating with my left hand.

My bandage was bulky...gauze padding wrapped in between my fingers, and then an Ace wrap over that. Yes my fingers were out and I could wiggle them.

I did have a sling, and I wore it as needed.

I was off 8/1-8/3, I went back on 8/6, but I still can't use my right hand...taking messages and typing with my left hand is hard and is making my CTS in my left hand worse.

I hope I have helped shed some light on your questions...I don't know when I will be able to write/type...my stitches come out on the 17th.

Good luck...keep us posted.

Judy

Judy,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like this surgery is a "pain in the neck" but managable.

I appreciate your taking the time to respond one-handed.

Julie