Negative EMG... Now what? - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

raynbow · 04-17-2001, 04:33 PM

Is anyone in the same boat I am? I had an EMG nerve test about six months ago, which came back completely negative. However, my hands hurt ALL THE TIME. I call them my mitts, because that's about how much use I can get out of them most of the time. My doctors all think that it's early CTS, and seem content to wait to have the surgery, while trying other methods.

I've been through 2 rounds of Physical therapy and 2 rounds of acupuncture, which both offerred some relief, but only for as long as I went. I've recently seen a surgeon, who gave me a cortisone shot. He told me that 15% of people who have CTS test negative on the EMG, so he said that if the cortisone shot worked, that that would mean that I had CTS and needed to have the release surgery.

However, the cortisone shot seemed to work for the first couple of days, and now it seems to be back to being bad.

Should I try to go ahead with the surgery?

JB* · 04-28-2001, 10:18 AM

Have you tried Active Release Therapy? Search Dr. Leahy. Carpal tunnel is also a thyroid symptom. Have you had your thyroid checked? Look on Mary Shomans thyroid site on about.com for info there. Also thyroid board here.

raynbow · 05-14-2001, 04:16 PM

Yup. I've been through two different sets of blood tests. Thyroid tested out just fine, and I do not have rhematoid arthritis or anything like that.

My surgeon has recommended that I go in for Carpal Tunnel Release surgery because I reacted favorably to the cortisone shots (for about a week, at least). Wednesday is the day.

cksmlap · 05-30-2001, 09:15 AM

I was wondering how your appt. went? I have been dealing with cts for 1.5 yrs. and had a negative nerve test in Jan. I've been through physical therapy and the like and received absolutely no releif from the cortisone shot (it made it worse). My surgeon will not repeat the tests until July

I was just curious because I don't know anyone that had been in the same boat and am looking for advice.

raynbow · 05-30-2001, 12:04 PM

I'm pretty happy with the results of the surgery, so far at least. It's been 2 weeks today now. My hand is weak and swollen still, but by the second day after surgery I was already taking less pain medication than I was before. My doctor is pretty happy with the results, too, and has said that he would now feel comfortable doing the other hand. I think that I will schedule for later on this summer, so I can really have my life back and start doing the crafts and sewing I love again.

In your case, the cortisone shots didn't work at all? Mine hurt for 2-4 days, and then felt better for a couple 4-5 days, and then I could tell that they'd worn off when I woke up with numb fingers despite wearing my night brace. The next round didn't do much at all. I'm glad that I could honestly tell him that the cortisone helped for a brief period because otherwise I probably would've had to wait around for a positive EMG. Good luck to you.