Carpal Tunnel Surgery

[snarf]

Who's had it?  I have just been diagnosed with CTS.  My doc was a bit surprised as to how fast it has progressed. Surgery is my next option; I want to get a head-start on recovery so I can ride this summer. 
I do work with my hands; but I am just curious if the dreaded Connie buzz will effect me after the surgery.  This may be a real good excuse to buy SISF new fangled handlebar mod
How long was your down time when you had the surgery? I'm not overly excited about being awake during the surgery.  I can calmly walk over to a 40ton press and dig out a persons severed fingers; my blood  not so much...

[Conrad]

I was diagnosed with CTS a couple of years ago, even had the electrical nerve conduction test to verify. My right hand is way worse than my left.

At first I opted to do nothing, that didn't help. 

My doctor recommended a steroid injection along with wearing braces on my wrists at night with surgery as a second option.

I did a bit of research and settled on three things. I got the injection in my right wrist, wear the braces at night, and started taking 100mg of vitamin B6 per day. There has been some evidence suggesting that B6 can help in some cases.

Have these things helped me? Yes. I still get the numbness and tingling once in a while but it's WAY better than it used to be and I can live with it as it is.

YMMV

[midnightrider]

I had both hands fixed 12 years ago. They got so bad I couldn't function at work. I think I only missed 10 days of work and a few weeks of light duty with a splint on total. I had them done at different times. I think the doctor was being overly causios because I'm an aircraft mechanic. No problem being awake, they don't let you see whats going on. It only took the doctor about 30 minutes each time. The CTS is fixed but now I have arthritis in both hands. I been riding a connie since 2004 no problem. And she does buzz a little now and then.

[midnightrider]

Conrad, why do you want to live with it when the surgery will get rid of it? I went the same rout you have and eventually I was taking 2800 mil of ibuprofen a day just to function. Get them fixed dude.

[Conrad]

Conrad, why do you want to live with it when the surgery will get rid of it? I went the same rout you have and eventually I was taking 2800 mil of ibuprofen a day just to function. Get them fixed dude.

I never have any pain and don't need to take anything for that. I guess I'm just a big chicken and have some aversion to having my wrists cut.   

[midnightrider]

I can relate to that. I had the same fear, but I was glad I did it. Doesn't sound like yours is as bad, good luck.

[Conrad]

I can relate to that. I had the same fear, but I was glad I did it. Doesn't sound like yours is as bad, good luck.

Thank you sir! If mine gets any worse than it is now I'll consider the cutting.

[VirginiaJim]

My wife had her right hand done and she was out two weeks.  Had some soreness but that was it.  Worked very well for her.  She has a high pain thresh hold, though.  Living with me for 34 years toughened her up.  Actually she's always had a high pain thresh hold like her dad.  I on the other hand....don't.

[bbroj]

I have CTS diagnosed in both wrists, moderate according to the tests. I wear braces on occasion and take acetaminophen somewhat regularly. If it gets worse I have no reservation going for the surgery. I have had arthroscopic surgery on both knees, at the same time, and opted to stay awake and watch (on a video monitor). Most of my family members have had CTS, and several have gone the surgery route with good results. My sister had the most recent surgery, and it was minimally invasive (arthroscopic) and they told her to start using them the same day. She left the hospital (outpatient) and drove 700 miles to visit another sister. She had done surgery on the other wrist years previously, and it was weeks of recovery. Times have changed, check with your doc on surgical options. Good luck Chris.

[snarf]

Thanks for the info.  I am scheduled for the nerve test next week.  I think we caught this in time, my hands are my life...gotta get this fixed before I have to teach my granddaughter how to open my pickles for me
Now the fun part; the fight with work to decide if it is work comp related

[bbroj]

The nerve test is fun  , like repeatedly sticking your finger in a light socket, on purpose!! Honestly, it's not terrible, but you will be wide awake by the end of it...

As far as comp is concerned, I think that's more up to the Dr's to determine, no? Good luck.

[Conrad]

The nerve test is fun  , like repeatedly sticking your finger in a light socket, on purpose!! Honestly, it's not terrible, but you will be wide awake by the end of it...

As far as comp is concerned, I think that's more up to the Dr's to determine, no? Good luck.

Yeah, fun.

Now you're going to feel a little ***** ( ) and this may tingle a little...

[midnightrider]

Lol, that is exactly what it felt like.

[bbroj]

Chris, any chance this is temporary from a recently increased work load? Mine usually gets worse in the Spring/early Summer when the rakes and shovels come out,. When it gets to the point of giving me a hard time sleeping, I usually call the Dr and get 10 days of prednizone (sp?) and am good for the rest of the season. Lately I've been playing in the garage more, and it is becomming more consistant through the year (yanking on ratchets, twisting screwdrivers, sanding parts etc.). I am not discouraging you from the surgery, but if it is temporary and managable with meds, you may not need it.

[snarf]

Chris, any chance this is temporary from a recently increased work load? Mine usually gets worse in the Spring/early Summer when the rakes and shovels come out,. When it gets to the point of giving me a hard time sleeping, I usually call the Dr and get 10 days of prednizone (sp?) and am good for the rest of the season. Lately I've been playing in the garage more, and it is becomming more consistant through the year (yanking on ratchets, twisting screwdrivers, sanding parts etc.). I am not discouraging you from the surgery, but if it is temporary and managable with meds, you may not need it.

I have no doubt that a recent increase in work load aggravated it to the point that it is now.  I have been wearing a full wrist brace 24/7 since the middle of Dec and taking 800mg of ibuprofin 3x a day. I do believe that the tingling and numbness have lessened. Time and the electro test will determine when/how I move forward from here.
Although chicks dig scars 

TMI alert.....wiping your butt while not being able to bend your wrist is an interesting experience.  Not nearly as interesting as trying to use my left hand, I seem to be left hand retarded, it has a mind of its own............

[Conrad]

I have no doubt that a recent increase in work load aggravated it to the point that it is now.  I have been wearing a full wrist brace 24/7 since the middle of Dec and taking 800mg of ibuprofin 3x a day. I do believe that the tingling and numbness have lessened. Time and the electro test will determine when/how I move forward from here.
Although chicks dig scars 

TMI alert.....wiping your butt while not being able to bend your wrist is an interesting experience.  Not nearly as interesting as trying to use my left hand, I seem to be left hand retarded, it has a mind of its own............

Did your doc even talk about an injection to see if that offers you some relief?

As for your TMI alert, a couple of years ago I broke my hand snowmobiling, my right hand and I'm right handed. It seems that my left hand is like yours...

[bbroj]

I've tried brushing my teeth left handed, just to see if I could. I looked like a vampire after feeding for the rest of the morning...

[VirginiaJim]

TMI alert.....wiping your butt while not being able to bend your wrist is an interesting experience.  Not nearly as interesting as trying to use my left hand, I seem to be left hand retarded, it has a mind of its own............

Get your SO to wipe your butt.

Before my wife got her right hand done I told her to get both so she could get it over with... "So are you going to wipe my butt for me?", she asked...  Hadn't thought of that angle so she only got one done.a

I think that was a wise choice on both our parts.

[snarf]

Get your SO to wipe your butt.

Before my wife got her right hand done I told her to get both so she could get it over with... "So are you going to wipe my butt for me?", she asked...  Hadn't thought of that angle so she only got one done.a

I think that was a wise choice on both our parts.

Reminds me of a joke: a man was called to the hospital because his wife was in a serious car accident.  The lead surgeon came out and told him to sit down as he had some bad news. "We had to amputate both arms and legs, she has massive brain trauma; she may never regain consciousness.   You are going to have to be her sole provider for everything. You will have to feed her, bath her, and wipe her private parts. It is going to be very expensive and take up your entire time."
The husband says 'oh my God thats horrible, are you serious?"
Doc replies " NAH I'm just joking, your wife died on the table"