carpal tunnel
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 580
Likes: 2
From:
RE: carpal tunnel
I guess I'll chime in.
First thing - never look for medical advice online.
Second - carpal tunnel does not "heal" itself. It doesn't improve over time. Once you get scarring and narrowing of the carpal tunnel (the median nerve runs through this) the median nerve becomes compressed. This is what causes the pins and needles feeling, numbness and pain (usually pain comes with increasing severity). It's ususally caused by repetitive movements (hold comments
) and vibration. Both of these will also make carpal tunnel worse or cause symptoms (like riding the scoot or operating a chain saw)
It will also wake you up at night. Why? Well, because when you sleep at night you usually will flex your wrists which will cause further narrowing of the tunnel. This will cause the symptoms and that's why you wake up with the throbbing, pins and needles. ****-up (hold comments) splints will help with night time exacerbations.
Ok - here's the problem with waiting too long. As you let carpal tunnel progress you'll notice muscle wasting and weakness of your grips. Muscle wasting is usually around the thenar eminence (the big muscles on your palm attached to your thumb). It's called de-nervation. What happens is the carpal tunnel puts pressure on the medial nerve - this causes the median nerve to fire (with this the symptoms) - over time this will lead to progressive loss of the nerve.
So, if you let it go too long and then decide to have surgery - feeling may NEVER come back nor your strength.
There are a few tests that we can do in the office to diagnose carpal tunnel. I usually will order a EMG as well (basically we use acupunture needless and shock your hand, arm, and neck) It's relatively painless. I know because I've had it done, as well as having carpal tunnel surgery.
As far as the cold hands that HC is having - that may be more of a thoracic outlet syndrome. You'll have to see your doc for more.
Hope that sheds some light. Maybe I made it more confusing.
Either way - don't wait. If you are having symptoms see your doc. If you are in the moderate, or moderate to severe category get the surgery done.
Surgery only takes about 15-20 mins. It's done right in the office under local anesthetic and full recovery takes about 8-12 weeks (sometimes longer). A neurosurgeon, orthopedist, or plastic surgeon can do the surgery. Any one of these is no better then the other. It's all based on how good the surgeon is. I have ortho guys that I'd have do my carpal tunnel well before a neurosurgeon. Me personally, I had a plastic surgeon do mine.
Have fun!
Doc
First thing - never look for medical advice online.
Second - carpal tunnel does not "heal" itself. It doesn't improve over time. Once you get scarring and narrowing of the carpal tunnel (the median nerve runs through this) the median nerve becomes compressed. This is what causes the pins and needles feeling, numbness and pain (usually pain comes with increasing severity). It's ususally caused by repetitive movements (hold comments
) and vibration. Both of these will also make carpal tunnel worse or cause symptoms (like riding the scoot or operating a chain saw) It will also wake you up at night. Why? Well, because when you sleep at night you usually will flex your wrists which will cause further narrowing of the tunnel. This will cause the symptoms and that's why you wake up with the throbbing, pins and needles. ****-up (hold comments
) splints will help with night time exacerbations.Ok - here's the problem with waiting too long. As you let carpal tunnel progress you'll notice muscle wasting and weakness of your grips. Muscle wasting is usually around the thenar eminence (the big muscles on your palm attached to your thumb). It's called de-nervation. What happens is the carpal tunnel puts pressure on the medial nerve - this causes the median nerve to fire (with this the symptoms) - over time this will lead to progressive loss of the nerve.
So, if you let it go too long and then decide to have surgery - feeling may NEVER come back nor your strength.
There are a few tests that we can do in the office to diagnose carpal tunnel. I usually will order a EMG as well (basically we use acupunture needless and shock your hand, arm, and neck) It's relatively painless. I know because I've had it done, as well as having carpal tunnel surgery.
As far as the cold hands that HC is having - that may be more of a thoracic outlet syndrome. You'll have to see your doc for more.
Hope that sheds some light. Maybe I made it more confusing.
Either way - don't wait. If you are having symptoms see your doc. If you are in the moderate, or moderate to severe category get the surgery done.
Surgery only takes about 15-20 mins. It's done right in the office under local anesthetic and full recovery takes about 8-12 weeks (sometimes longer). A neurosurgeon, orthopedist, or plastic surgeon can do the surgery. Any one of these is no better then the other. It's all based on how good the surgeon is. I have ortho guys that I'd have do my carpal tunnel well before a neurosurgeon. Me personally, I had a plastic surgeon do mine.
Have fun!
Doc
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA
RE: carpal tunnel
Had it in both hands about 15 years ago. Almost dropped my baby daughter from the "shock" i would get from putting my hands in certain positions which pinched the nerve. Went right in to doctor and said operate. Had both hands done at same time, out of work for a month.
Probably have 75% of my strength and can't stand to hammer to much.
Was it worth it? Hell yes. Hands would fall asleep every single night and the pins and needles feeling was agonizing.
Oh, and i never dropped my daughter!
Probably have 75% of my strength and can't stand to hammer to much.
Was it worth it? Hell yes. Hands would fall asleep every single night and the pins and needles feeling was agonizing.
Oh, and i never dropped my daughter!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
RE: carpal tunnel
tinocker o2,are the two fingers in question your ring and little finger? beacause if so this is more likely to be compression of the ulner nerve(cubital tunnel syndrome)usually from the elbow exacerbated, by keeping the elbow in a bent position ie.at bed at night leaning on itanddriving. If other fingers affected it probablyis carpal tunnel and carpal tunnel release surgery is usually very effective.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
RE: carpal tunnel
I had the surgery on the left hand 3 years ago. I had almost completely lost the use of my thumb, couldn't button my shirt, etc. After about a month I had an almost complete recovery. I still need to have the right hand done. I'm constantly having to take it off the throttle and and hold it down for a few seconds. Holding it by the engine heat helps a lot.
I had mine done by a plastic surgeon.
Jim
I had mine done by a plastic surgeon.
Jim
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 4
From: Logan, Ohio
RE: carpal tunnel
ORIGINAL: DoCPooF
I guess I'll chime in.
First thing - never look for medical advice online.
Second - carpal tunnel does not "heal" itself. It doesn't improve over time. Once you get scarring and narrowing of the carpal tunnel (the median nerve runs through this) the median nerve becomes compressed. This is what causes the pins and needles feeling, numbness and pain (usually pain comes with increasing severity). It's ususally caused by repetitive movements (hold comments) and vibration. Both of these will also make carpal tunnel worse or cause symptoms (like riding the scoot or operating a chain saw)
It will also wake you up at night. Why? Well, because when you sleep at night you usually will flex your wrists which will cause further narrowing of the tunnel. This will cause the symptoms and that's why you wake up with the throbbing, pins and needles. ****-up (hold comments) splints will help with night time exacerbations.
Ok - here's the problem with waiting too long. As you let carpal tunnel progress you'll notice muscle wasting and weakness of your grips. Muscle wasting is usually around the thenar eminence (the big muscles on your palm attached to your thumb). It's called de-nervation. What happens is the carpal tunnel puts pressure on the medial nerve - this causes the median nerve to fire (with this the symptoms) - over time this will lead to progressive loss of the nerve.
So, if you let it go too long and then decide to have surgery - feeling may NEVER come back nor your strength.
There are a few tests that we can do in the office to diagnose carpal tunnel. I usually will order a EMG as well (basically we use acupunture needless and shock your hand, arm, and neck) It's relatively painless. I know because I've had it done, as well as having carpal tunnel surgery.
As far as the cold hands that HC is having - that may be more of a thoracic outlet syndrome. You'll have to see your doc for more.
Hope that sheds some light. Maybe I made it more confusing.
Either way - don't wait. If you are having symptoms see your doc. If you are in the moderate, or moderate to severe category get the surgery done.
Surgery only takes about 15-20 mins. It's done right in the office under local anesthetic and full recovery takes about 8-12 weeks (sometimes longer). A neurosurgeon, orthopedist, or plastic surgeon can do the surgery. Any one of these is no better then the other. It's all based on how good the surgeon is. I have ortho guys that I'd have do my carpal tunnel well before a neurosurgeon. Me personally, I had a plastic surgeon do mine.
Have fun!
Doc
I guess I'll chime in.
First thing - never look for medical advice online.
Second - carpal tunnel does not "heal" itself. It doesn't improve over time. Once you get scarring and narrowing of the carpal tunnel (the median nerve runs through this) the median nerve becomes compressed. This is what causes the pins and needles feeling, numbness and pain (usually pain comes with increasing severity). It's ususally caused by repetitive movements (hold comments
) and vibration. Both of these will also make carpal tunnel worse or cause symptoms (like riding the scoot or operating a chain saw) It will also wake you up at night. Why? Well, because when you sleep at night you usually will flex your wrists which will cause further narrowing of the tunnel. This will cause the symptoms and that's why you wake up with the throbbing, pins and needles. ****-up (hold comments
) splints will help with night time exacerbations.Ok - here's the problem with waiting too long. As you let carpal tunnel progress you'll notice muscle wasting and weakness of your grips. Muscle wasting is usually around the thenar eminence (the big muscles on your palm attached to your thumb). It's called de-nervation. What happens is the carpal tunnel puts pressure on the medial nerve - this causes the median nerve to fire (with this the symptoms) - over time this will lead to progressive loss of the nerve.
So, if you let it go too long and then decide to have surgery - feeling may NEVER come back nor your strength.
There are a few tests that we can do in the office to diagnose carpal tunnel. I usually will order a EMG as well (basically we use acupunture needless and shock your hand, arm, and neck) It's relatively painless. I know because I've had it done, as well as having carpal tunnel surgery.
As far as the cold hands that HC is having - that may be more of a thoracic outlet syndrome. You'll have to see your doc for more.
Hope that sheds some light. Maybe I made it more confusing.
Either way - don't wait. If you are having symptoms see your doc. If you are in the moderate, or moderate to severe category get the surgery done.
Surgery only takes about 15-20 mins. It's done right in the office under local anesthetic and full recovery takes about 8-12 weeks (sometimes longer). A neurosurgeon, orthopedist, or plastic surgeon can do the surgery. Any one of these is no better then the other. It's all based on how good the surgeon is. I have ortho guys that I'd have do my carpal tunnel well before a neurosurgeon. Me personally, I had a plastic surgeon do mine.
Have fun!
Doc
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 4
From: Logan, Ohio
RE: carpal tunnel
ORIGINAL: gez45
tinocker o2,are the two fingers in question your ring and little finger? beacause if so this is more likely to be compression of the ulner nerve(cubital tunnel syndrome)usually from the elbow exacerbated, by keeping the elbow in a bent position ie.at bed at night leaning on itanddriving. If other fingers affected it probablyis carpal tunnel and carpal tunnel release surgery is usually very effective.
tinocker o2,are the two fingers in question your ring and little finger? beacause if so this is more likely to be compression of the ulner nerve(cubital tunnel syndrome)usually from the elbow exacerbated, by keeping the elbow in a bent position ie.at bed at night leaning on itanddriving. If other fingers affected it probablyis carpal tunnel and carpal tunnel release surgery is usually very effective.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
