Alternatives to surgery - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

Franksupporter · 08-25-2004, 03:25 PM

Hi all - I have had increasing numbness in my little and ring finger for probably the last five years. My job requires constant keyboarding. The numbness is more intense on my left hand but I am left handed. From reading the other post on the board I realize that I have CUTS. Is there anything I can do other than surgery?

Thanks!

Franksupporter · 08-25-2004, 03:59 PM

Me again - has anyone had surgery for CUTS? I would assume that since the nerve is in the elbow area, it is not quite as intense as the wrist. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

lidia09 · 08-25-2004, 04:22 PM

Hi Franksupporter
I'm currently avoiding surgery for CUTS. After speaking to 3 experts in the field, I'll be keeping my tingling/numb arms/fingers for a while. The surgery is a bit more difficult to do than CTS & the success rate is lower.

Bromelain (extracted from pineapple) is a good natural anti-inflammatory, vitamin B6 helps keep the nerves in good repair & my GP just told me last week that Folic Acid is also a good one to take so I've started on that.

I got a headset for my phone at work which helps stop the arm bending too much. Adequate space between yourself & the keyboard is good too, so that your arms aren't too bent. Try not to lean your arms on armrests & have your entire forearm on the desk when using the mouse. Another thing to experiment with are splints for night time use. I abandoned this as I found they woke me up more than the 'dead hands' but you could try a rolled up towel or shin pads to prevent the arm bending at night.

Hope you'll find something useful out of that lot!
Good luck.
Lidia

Franksupporter · 08-26-2004, 07:51 AM

Lidia - Thanks for the response. I guess I was totally wrong about the surgery being less tramatic for CUTS than CTS. I will try your suggestions!

Tammie

LuvMyLilDoggie · 08-29-2004, 12:24 AM

Also, avoid as much as possible bending your elbow more than 90 degrees. If you bend more than that, you'll compress the ulnar nerve which is the nerve that goes through the cubital tunnel. My orthopedic surgeon made a half cast for me to sleep in so I don't bend the elbow in my sleep but that caused me a lot of pain in my tendons. So I keep an extra pillow next to me and lay one arm under it and one over it. That helps me to keep my arms a bit more straight.
Barb