If not carpal then what? - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

cris2 · 07-17-2003, 02:19 PM

HI i just had an emg test done today and the results where good showed no nerve damage.

The doctor said it may have to do with arthritis but the x-rays showed it wasnt severe.

I do have severe oa in both hips.

But my wrists hurt severely I can barely lift a gallon of milk ect
I had been referred to specialist

I was just wonder if any bbody might no what it could be?

cris2 · 07-30-2003, 09:03 PM

I am surprised that this has been viewed so many times.but no response
maybe if I ask a simpler question.

Has anyone thought they had carpal tunnel and come to find out they didnt but was something else?

lidia09 · 07-30-2003, 11:20 PM

Hi Cris
It could be quite a few things. Could you tell us a bit more about your symptoms?

Sometimes people have emg's with a negative result but the machine isn't always accurate too.

Best wishes
Lidia

PeppyPatty · 08-22-2003, 04:42 PM

Although I have posted this under another question, I think I will post it here as well. I was diagnosed with CTS by way of an Xray only, so I denied surgery and went to the specialist. He did an emg test, which turned up negative, and then did a MRI, which showed I had abutment (sp) syndrome, where I had swelling scar tissue on the bones on my forearms at my wrist. It is common in martial artists due to the amount of pushups that they do and is characterized by the extreme pain that can come when you put pressure on the palm of your hands (like in pushups). Although surgery is not a good option for me, he has suggested stress balls, and to lean on my fists instead of my palms.
Good luck !

09-15-2003, 11:11 PM

You should check out Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Otherwise known as TOS. I have bilateral TOS plus bilateral Carpal Tunnel. It is not nice, but can cause many of the symptoms you mention. Plus, there is a connection between the two ailments, and the compression by TOS can result in CTS later, as I found out. There are different versions of TOS, which can affect nerves or blood vessles or both. It can also have different causes, such as an extra rib or small space in the thoracic outlet. You definetly want to try therapy, posture, headsets on all phones, exact pillow height, correct height of computer mouse & keyboard, limit any activities with hands forward or up, limit lifting, etc. since the surgery is removal of the extra rib if you have one, and/or removal of your first rib, and cutting loose some of the muscles attached to this rib which help hold your head up.