Carpal Tunnel treatment/surgery fears - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

Baglady · 06-18-2001, 01:01 PM

I was diagnosed in 1983 with CTS, and surgery was suggested. I knew three people that had the surgery then, and all three had the surgeries botched, leaving hands damaged or crippled. I have endured since then.

My mother-in-law has had both her hands done (one at a time) with some new procedure that does not involve cutting the palm (she is a woodcarver by trade) and the results (within 24 hours even!) were astounding. Two years later it is as if she had never had a problem.

I hear of this new surgery, and the new lazer surgeries, my doctor has referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. There have been no nerve conduction tests, only my telling my PCP that I am in pain and received this diagnosis nearly 20 years ago. The pain and numbness are intolerable, 24/7.

I am the entire workforce for my wholesale nursery business. Any permanent damage to my hands would be devastating.

I need advice - good solid advice. HELP!!!!
Splints do not work, in fact after 10 minutes I am in tears from the pain. Stretching does not help. I have tried everything anyone ever suggested to me for relief. But I am 'losing my grip' to coin a phrase, and have lost feeling and control of my right hand while; trying to pour coffee, riding my motorcycle (VERY scary!!), etc., etc.etc.

Can anyone advise me?

Carol · 06-25-2001, 12:31 PM

I have had the surgery done on both hands and had great success. of course, somedays there is some stiffness, and i will never have the full strength back but i would recommend it. I have a small incision on both of my palms/wrist. the second one you can hardly see,done by the same surgeon 4 yrs later.the longer you wait, the more you risk eventually losing use of your hands.good luck!

NancyH · 06-28-2001, 11:46 PM

Active release didn't work for me and I mean I tried everything for two years before I gave in and had the surgery. Active release works better if the problem is flexor tendon tightness. The surgery is not that bad, my incision is a new technique also where it is not in the palm and not in the wrist, just to the side only a 1 and 1/2 inches. Altho the recovery is a long time and they really never do get back to fully what they were for about a year. I had mine May 2 and I went shopping when I left the office, cast and all. It's only a 20 min surgery and with a hand block. I had a good surgeon and I asked around to find the one I wanted. Give it a try, if you continue to procrastinate you can lose the ability to use your hands permanently.