Prouzy

The thumb in the fingers test is for de Quervain's syndrome or tenosynovitis. Yes arthritis is common at that joint especially in women, not the end of the world. Your doctor did not do an MRI because the diagnosis of CTS is located at the wrist, where the median nerve runs through the tunnel. When the surgery is done, they perform a release to allow for decreased pressure, which causes the nerve entrapment, at least at that level. The problem with some of these surgeries is that if you had some entrapment somewhere else along the nerve, pronator teres for instance, only part of the problem has been addressed and not the actual cause. I not saying this is your case, but what happens is the nerve is entrapped somewhere closer to the body, such as pronator teres in the forearm, and this makes the nerve more susceptible to injury or irritation further down the line. This is called "double crush syndrome" whci could explain why it came back or did not take in the first place. So you will still test positive for orthopedic tests for CTS. Another possibility is why you got it in the first place and if you did not change the cause, e.g. workplace ergonomics. So a combination of things maybe? Do you rotate your forearms a lot of sit hunched over? Sounds like a nerve problem not nerve root, and would be better diagnosed with electrodiagnostics such as nerve conduction veleocity(NCV) test. Regardless of the diagnosis, keep in mind there is a cause of these repetitive stress/strain injuries as well as other things complicating the issue. Are you diebetic, did you follow rehab, etc. will have some effect on your outcome. I guess teh biggest question would be, why did you get it in the first place? That will help you find a cure. Thumb may or not be related to your CTS, but can be quite painful in itself.

Good luck,

Prouzy