carpal tunnel again 2nd time around. - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

murphy65 · 07-28-2004, 04:03 PM

I just had my nerve test done on my wrists and elbows and am waiting the results but the nurse who did the test said there is major problems with the nerve in my elbow and wrist in my right arm. I had the surgery on both my wrists (both at the same time and I don't recommend doing that) about 10 yrs ago and started having probems about 6mos ago. One question I do have for everybody that has had the surgery is this time my hands are in extreme pain my thumbs especially. I do have quit a bit of numbness but not near as much as I did the first time. My main problem is the pain. I was wondering if anybody has had this problem after having had the wrist surgery. Also has anybody had the wrist and elbow done at the same time? I was diagnosed with cts when I was 17 and didnt have the surgery until I was about 28. I waited a little longer again this time to bring it up to my doc and I am worried I might have done too much damage this time because I can't figure out why the pain is so much different this time.

cheryl1121 · 08-02-2004, 05:00 AM

I had surgery last aug. each hand two wks apart. Pain started about three wks after last surgery. different kind of pain, it is like fingers have a deep extreme throbbing pain inside. my problem is also herniated disc in my neck, three of them, two are compressing spinal cord. have four in lower back compressing spinal cord. also bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. spondylosis and several other things. since my surgery pain in hands and wrist, and also severe stiffnes in fingers, swelling, turning purple,etc. now have same pain in feet, toes and ankles. i am going in wed. for a bone scan to see if i have RSD. since my surgery all things have gone for bad to worse ever imangaged. stopped working last oct. do good some days to even get out of bed. they have done numerous emg's and nerve conduction studies and it shows nerve damage in both arms and hands. one ortho even said he does not see where i ever had carpel tunnel, so looks like this may be a real long painful event. by the way it is w/c, which makes it a living hell. anyway good luck. i know one thing i would never have CTS surgery done again EVER. LOTS EASIER TO JUST STOP DOING WHAT EVER MAKES IT FLARE UP.

murphy65 · 08-02-2004, 06:15 AM

I guess I was lucky the first time. My wrists and hands felt great and I had immmediate relief following my surgery. But like I said this time I have alot more pain and alot less numbess. My fingers and thumbs feel like they are swollen and the pain in my thumbs is terrible. I had some pain the first time but nothing like this. It hurts just to push the cigg. lighter in on my truck. Also my feet hurt when getting up in the morning or after sitting for a while. They took blood and checked for R A and said it was normal.

cheryl1121 · 08-02-2004, 06:35 AM

Sure Sounding Familiar. The Thimb Was The Most Painful And Then The Middle Finger Also Very Painful. Do You Have Any Stiffness In Your Fingers. Do They Seem Very Cold At Times Then Very Hot At Others. Yes My Feet Hurt Also, Upon Getting Up In The Morning I Can Hardly Walk On Them. The Ankles Hurt Real Bad. Then Numbness In My Toes Alot, Also A Hard Ball Like Feeling On The Bottom Of The Top Of My Foot. Legs Swell And Hurt Also At Times, Like Today. It Is Caused By Circulation. I Smoke Also And It Causes Alot Of The Circulation Problem They Say Anyway.

murphy65 · 08-02-2004, 08:51 AM

Yes I do have stiffness in my fingers esp. the middle one. I don't really notice any problems with them being cold or hot. What I don't understand is the pain in my thumbs is exactly the same on both hands actually the left is a little worse. I am right handed and my right hand has always hurt worse and has the most nerve damage from the carpal tunnel. My feet also hurt like you describe. Mainly on the bottom on the front part of the foot. They hurt really bad in the morning but once I get to walking on them they don't bother me too much until I rest them and then they hurt again. Now my thumbs and fingers hurt constantly. It almost feels like I get cramps at the base of my thumb. My legs don't bother me too much other than my calfs get tight and hurt. I also have alot of pain in my middle upper back. I take 6 vicoprofen a day and it doesn't even touch the pain in my thumbs. What is rsd? and what all have you been tested for?