Carpal Tunnel in addition to a traumatic hand injury! - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

barton93 · 11-12-2005, 11:58 PM

My husband had a traumatic hand injury in August (he dropped a 200 pound coil on his hand). He had surgery a couple of days later to repair the damage to his fingers (his ring and pinky fingers). He is now back at work on restricted duty and has begun physical therapy for his fingers. Anyway....he just found out he has carpal tunnel in the same hand. He already has extensive nerve damage to his last 2 fingers from his injury and now the carpal tunnel has caused the rest of his fingers to go numb. So, now he has no feeling in any of his fingers.

I don't want to sound dumb, but I really don't know anything about carpal tunnel. Is this something that can likely be improved with therapy? Is surgery a permanent "fix"? Is this something that will continue to get worse if nothing is done?

NancyH · 11-13-2005, 10:57 PM

Sounds like a two fold problem there. The nerve damage from the accident most likely damaged the ulnar nerve and it very well could have damaged the median and radial as well, the injury itself could bring on the CT symptoms. As for long term effects, well, I have had the ulnar nerve damaged 3 yrs ago I still don't have feelings in the ring and part of the middle finger and I've had several CT surgeries on both hands and the carpal tunnel has come back in the good hand. Surgery is't always a permanent fix. Therapy can be very helpful with the right therapist, I'm going to one now, it's my 4th one in 3yrs and this one is helping the most. Everyone is different, but avoiding repetitive activities will help keep CT symptoms at bay but there is never a guarantee. I've had several Drs tell me that CT is a form of arthritis and some people are more prone to it than others and it can always flare up! IF not taken care of the muscles in the hand will atrophy as the ulnar is responsible for the muscle strength. My hand is really messed up and I have the strength of a 5yr old in the hands.

curiousforever · 11-14-2005, 10:55 AM

The ulnar nerve is not a fun one. I'm going to have to get mine done again soon. I think they've slipped...

The ulnar would be causing the pinky and ring finger numbness. The other fingers (ring/middle) is median usually and thumb, forefinger and sometimes middle is usually carpal.

Surgery can fix it sometimes-it depends though. If it was damaged due to his accident I don't know--gosh...I'm sorry about that. Must have been very scary.

If it's mild cts, it *can* go away sometimes by itself....it did in my right arm.

If it was caused by his work-being on restricted duty might help him. Also watching how he positions his arms and hands as he sleeps can help. Curling them at all can make it worse. I've had to "train" myself (a stomach sleeper) to sleep with my hands flat...and elbows bent at more than a 45 degree angle...

Good luck...