Question about CT / Physical Therapy / Surgery - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

labgeek · 07-21-2008, 06:09 PM

Has anyone went straight to surgery for their CT and skipped the physical therapy? What does the physical therapy for CT do? I really don't want to screw around with this, because my job is so particular that my boss informed me that there was not really anything I could do on "light duty." She's really right in that too. I just don't want to sit at home on WC for just PT. I would rather have the surgery, be done with it, and get back to work. Thanks for any words of wisdom!

I am editing to say that we are a single income family, so taking the WC cut in pay for longer than 4-6 weeks could really hurt us financially. My dh has a new business and really doesn't have the extra funds to spear to supplement our family income right now.

hurtnbad · 07-24-2008, 07:07 PM

Hello, "lab". I went straight from the Nerve Conduction Study to surgery. Usually, doctors want their patients to try "conservative" treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and splinting first, depending on the severity of the CTS. My CTS was so severe and I had suffered from it for so long that it had caused muscle atrophy. My hand/wrist specialist scheduled the right Carpal Tunnel Release surgery during my first visit with him. I had the right CTR on June 10th and the left CTR a couple of days ago. If your CTS is severe, then the surgeon might just schedule the surgery right away!

Sincerely, Tam