I got a call from a gal I know. She said she had appointment with the orthopedic surgeon that did the first ct release on my left hand. She said he recommended surgery....didn't even talk about trying other treatments first, such as splints or cortisone. When she asked about complications and then said a friend had problems from ct release ( she was referring to my case), he said non of his patients have ever had problems from surgery and that her friend must have had surgery some place else....it didn't happen here!!'
What a LIAR!! I know of another case, involving left hand where gal cannot grip things anymore. She could before he did CT open release on her.

My friend is seeking a second opinion elsewhere.

Hi, I'm not really sure how to do this, so I am just replying to your mesage. I had cts surgery on BOTH hands, 2 weeks apart. It is now 3 months since the first one was done. I had carpel tunnel for 7 yrs.
I am in so much pain now,different than the carpel tunnel pain that I still get occassionally at night.
My pain now is in the palm of my hands going into my wrists. My fingers are hard to bend and sometimes seem swollen. My scars are sensitive and burn inside, and I feel like I am getting stabbed with a needle from the palm into my wrist. And my hands and arms are weak. Mostly the left.
When I went back to the surgent, he seemed annoyed that I was not well yet and I felt like he didn't believe me. My neuologist said it could take a year to heal (I hope that is all it will take).
I am still not back at work ( I am a bank teller) because I have to use my hands continuely.
Does anyone else have this problem. Thanx for sharing

Mac409. Did you have endoscopic release or open release? If open release, were you told to massage scar area after stitiches were out? Does scar site feel hard? That has to be massaged to break up scar tissue or keep it from forming.
Also, physical or occupational therapy might be a good idea. Did you have that or can you get your doctor to refer you for therapy?

And....burning, swelling and sharp needle pain...can be sign that you may be developing RSD. Not alway, but those are some of the symptoms.

Thanx for answering me. I am getting occupational theropy. I go 2x a week for the pat 6 weeks. He does heat , then massage , then cold.
But this pain just wont stop. What is RDS

RSD is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. There is a discussion forum listed under Health Issues at Healthboards. Read through the archives for info.

your problem may be due to scar tissue or nerve problem...not necessarily RSD.
You might want to check out these websites:


http://www.handuniversity.com/handschool.asp

the handuniversity one has a list of hand conditions as well as wrist and elbow.

Another is http://www.eatonhand.com
There is a menu there also.

Greetings all …

I have (personally) only heard one orthopedic doctor run down most of the risks and benefits to me; he was very straightforward and instilled confidence because you could then make an educated decision. The others I spoke to said "put your hands up, put your hands down, and hold them like this" ... you need surgery. Remember, despite all the talk about “malpractice premiums” is nonsense. These folks are practically impossible to nail down or be held accountable. Choose your knife guy carefully.

I have been fairly recently diagnosed with this little nightmare and have found that surgeons love to cut. But then, who wants a surgeon who is intimidated by cutting? I guess you want to weed out the butchers and novices. Try to catch them at the peek of their learning curve.

Personally, I just don't see how voluntarily cutting the stabilizing ligament in your hands can be a good idea? If anybody is going to cut my wrists, it will be me!

I think the pain being referred to at the beginning of this thread is called "pillar pain"; it's the pillars of the ulnar and radius bones. Evidently they don't think cutting that ligament is a good idea either?!

Sorry so negative ... but this is sensitive material and a sensitive procedure, just because it's done allot, does not mean its right. I also dispute the skewed “success rate”, as that is incredibly subjective.

My two cents...


JD :dizzy: