Ridin With Carpal Tunnel

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Sep 27, 2006 | 01:38 AM

#11

dstockton

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2006

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RE: Ridin With Carpal Tunnel

Quote:

ORIGINAL: DoCPooF

I had carpal tunnel from all my riding of atv's and snowmobiles. It got to the point that I was unable to feel pretty much my whole right hand when riding. A couple of times my whole hand fell off the damn grip willl riding atv's. Snowmobiling was very ruff and nights after riding were unbearable.

Anyway that you can eliminate VIBRATION will help. ISO grips, padded gloves, cruise control should help. Wear ****-up splints at night while sleeping. Anti-inflammatories help - Mobic is good but Ibuprofen 800mg with food 3x/day is just as good.

I ended up going with surgery. I didn't surgery in the Spring about 6 weeks before spring turkey. Surgery takes about 20 mins to do. Minimal pain and scaring. I had mine done 3 yrs ago and no problems since.

I'm holding off on my left hand as long as possible.

Good luck

(The longer you wait the more denervation you'll get of your hand - meaning you may never regain feeling or strength in your hand - so don't wait forever to take care of it) If you are in the moderate-severe range get it taken care of.

I had to have both hands done a couple of years ago. The surgery is really nothing to be concerned about. While I still have some tenderness in the palm area the pain and numbness are gone. Don't wait too long as I did. My left hand had gotten pretty bad and I still haven't recovered all the feeling. The surgeon explained that the longer the nerve is under compression the less the chances of full recovery. When you get to the point of needing braces at night or when riding a few miles has your hand numb, it's time.

Sep 27, 2006 | 10:29 AM

#12

rookieglider

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4th Gear

Joined: May 2006

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RE: Ridin With Carpal Tunnel

Great information! I had the NCV and EMG tests performed in March, The results were severe CTS in both hands, alittle more in the left (I'm a lefty). I have been a pipefitter for 20 years. I was also tested in my early 20's with similiar results (I'm now 38).

I'm now in the market for a throttle rocker and I already installed ISO grips. They're comfortlable, but not a fix.

I also heard horror strories of surgery takin you out of the game for 8-12 weeks! Man thats a long time. Seems the people on this board have come back much quicker. That makes me lean towards Surgery in late winter.

Thanks for all the tips. Glad to see I was't the only one.

Sep 27, 2006 | 11:01 AM

#13

GOSTAZ

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Joined: Jan 2006

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RE: Ridin With Carpal Tunnel

Maybe this will encourage you.. I hope.. I have had both hands done. One they did an "open" or radical surgery, because there was so much damage. That did take about 4 months before my hand was really useful. The last one I had done this summer, was less damaged, so I had it scoped. This was an easier operation, and I was back on the bike within three weeks. I could not ride long distances, but I could ride. One thing to be aware of with the scope is while you do heal quicker, it will still take some time for grip strength to come back, but you can do exercises to help with that. I would tell you not to wait too long. Those nerve fibers in your hand can die, or be severely damaged, and sometimes never come back. I really enjoy my riding a lot more now that my hand feels better. Whatever you decide, all the best. Kinda creepy getting your hands operated on when you depend on them to put food on the table and twist the go faster handle, but get a good doc, and get yourself straightened out, you will be amazed at how much better you feel!

Sep 27, 2006 | 03:22 PM

#14

dstockton

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Joined: Aug 2006

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From:

RE: Ridin With Carpal Tunnel

Quote:

ORIGINAL: rookieglider

Great information! I had the NCV and EMG tests performed in March, The results were severe CTS in both hands, alittle more in the left (I'm a lefty). I have been a pipefitter for 20 years. I was also tested in my early 20's with similiar results (I'm now 38).

I'm now in the market for a throttle rocker and I already installed ISO grips. They're comfortlable, but not a fix.

I also heard horror strories of surgery takin you out of the game for 8-12 weeks! Man thats a long time. Seems the people on this board have come back much quicker. That makes me lean towards Surgery in late winter.

Thanks for all the tips. Glad to see I was't the only one.

I had mine done in winter, right hand first followed by left hand 4 weeks later. My recovery was pretty quick even though I had the full on split your palms open type surgery. Left a knarly scar on both hands but who cares. I actually rode the Harley with stitches in my right hand for short rides and continued to ride up until the left was done. Left will take longer, 3 to 4 weeks before you can safely pull a clutch lever or open a stuck pickle jar. I had to wait much longer to ride my sport bike because of the additional pressure on the wrist palm area. I had the right hand surgery third week in December and the left hand fourth week in January and comfortably rode to Bike Week in March from the Memphis area.

Don't wait too long because permanent damage can occur. My left hand will never be the same it was a few years ago because I waited too long.