Hi, everyone,

Thanks for the informative posts. I've learned a lot from them.

I'm a 29 year old female. I type for a living--in fact, I've spent the better part of my life typing. Typing d/n cause my CTS, though. I am a potter. In late October, I was working on the wheel and was applying too much pressure to get the clay centered. I then went on a very active vacation that required moving a lot of gear fairly frequently. I think I was on an adrenaline high for the duration of the trip and therefore did not experience any pain. When I returned home on Nov 1, my body "crashed" and my wrists were on fire.

I immediately started splinting my wrists. I applied ice and took ibuprophen. Minimal improvement. I went to an urgent care dr who made an initial diagnosis of tendonitis and prescribed extra strength Motrin. Still no improvement. I then went to an ortho/hand surgeon who performed Tinel's test and Phalen's sign, both of which indicated CTS.

Both my hands and wrists (and sometimes my forearms) burn and tingle. I am unable to type, drive, make a bed, wash dishes, or do anything around the house. I live alone. My family lives 1,800 miles away.

The dr said that we'd have to be more aggressive, so he gave me a cortisone shot in my right wrist (it's worse than my left; I'm right handed). That was 12/2/05. The shot d/n hurt. He said it could take a few days for me to feel any relief. Such has proven true; I'm still waiting.

I start physical therapy tomorrow. I found some tendon gliding exercises online and have been doing them on my own. I haven't had an EMG.

My concern, and I realize it's premature, is that, in the event the physical therapy doesn't work, they will tell me that I'm not "bad" enough to warrant surgery. My hands/arms aren't numb and I don't wake up at night.

Also, does anyone have an opinion as to whether my being in my 20s would impact the potential success of the surgery?

Finally, I'm small boned and have a narrow wrist. Should I aim for open or endo?

Thanks much,

Marie

d/n = ?? what does that mean?


First off, before you have any surgical procedure I would get a nerve conduction test done. This will tell you the severity of the CTS...and it will verify that you actually do have it...

Usually CTS doesn't really come and go...it might be worse some days-but it's always there. the worse it gets-the more you feel it all of the time-does that make sense?

The surgery is actually a very easy procedure-they do one arm at a time-and recovery is pretty quick also (at least I know for ulnar nerve :)...a lot of the symptoms and pain was gone right after ward...

Thanks, Curiousforever.

d/n = ?? what does that mean?

"did not," or "does not," depending on context. :)


First off, before you have any surgical procedure I would get a nerve conduction test done. This will tell you the severity of the CTS...and it will verify that you actually do have it...

Good advice, thanks.

Usually CTS doesn't really come and go...it might be worse some days-but it's always there. the worse it gets-the more you feel it all of the time-does that make sense?

Yes, that does make sense. When I thought I had tendonitis, I'd be so encouraged that it was "going away." A week ago it came back w/ a vengance and didn't "go away" again, so I saw the ortho on Friday.

The surgery is actually a very easy procedure-they do one arm at a time-and recovery is pretty quick also (at least I know for ulnar nerve ...a lot of the symptoms and pain was gone right after ward...

Thanks for the encouragement!

Marie

Maybe it was mild before....and it got really aggravated during your trip-that could be an explanation as well.

Good luck!

Yes, there could be something like that going on, too.

I had my first phys therapy appt tonight. They applied heat and ultrasound waves, massaged the areas, had me do some strengthening exercises (my grip weakened during my month of rest). The fun part was "the box." They put your hands in a box of sawdust and then turn on a hot air blower. The dust blows over your hands for 10 minutes. That part was kind of fun!

The therapist seemed to think I was a mild case and that therapy would knock it out, at least for now. We'll see!

Marie

Yes, there could be something like that going on, too.

I had my first phys therapy appt tonight. They applied heat and ultrasound waves, massaged the areas, had me do some strengthening exercises (my grip weakened during my month of rest). The fun part was "the box." They put your hands in a box of sawdust and then turn on a hot air blower. The dust blows over your hands for 10 minutes. That part was kind of fun!

The therapist seemed to think I was a mild case and that therapy would knock it out, at least for now. She claimed that surgery was only warranted if I couldn't hold a cup. We'll see, but it's worth a shot!

Marie