Carpal tunnel syndrome

[galina]

I have had slight bouts of pins and needles in my fingers for years after particularly heavy gardening sessions.  And then they went away again.  But now they are getting worse and are starting to bother me more.  For example I sometimes get numb fingers holding the steering wheel of the car or the handlebars of the bike.  As this seems to be getting worse every year now, it is probably time to visit the Doc.

Before I do, I wonder what experiences others have had.  I read that there is an operation.  Did that work?  Is there any physio that I can do?  Mine seems to have got worse after a fall when I chipped a bone in my hand.  It is only in my right hand.  Hope to get good advice from fellow gardeners on here. 

[galina]

[PAULW]

First of all before we start slicing , the doctor should send you for a nerve conductivity test this will check out whether it is carpal tunnel or something else RSA ?

[ACE]

I have had my wrists slit If you suffer a lot from the pins and needles and dead arms go and see the doc for an appointment to have a the tingle test. You will then find out if it is Carpel Tunnel.

Usually caused by the muscles in your wrists getting too big and pinching the nerves. It took an hour to have both mine done with keyhole surgery and a local anesthetic and back to work after a couple of weeks, but it did not seem to bother me that much so I was using my hands the next day for the usual light tasks. I can't even find the scars anymore.

It was an annoying sort of ailment and I suffered more at night when trying to sleep and getting my arms in the right place. But it did stop me riding the chopper for a while, because of the apehanger handlebars. That was when I decided to something about it.

[caroline7758]

I've had similar symptoms over last couple of months though gardening doesnt seem to bring it on. More using computer and like you, driving. Doctor referred me for physio. Physio did various checks and said it wasnt carpel tunnel but neural tension. Told me to watch my posture and gave me a few exercises. Not much change, going for second physio session next week.

[galina]

Yes, the doc is obviously more qualified than I am to exclude something like repetitive strain injury or neural tension.  Thank you for that, it may not necessarily be CTS at all.  Thank you Paul and Caroline.   

[galina]

I have had my wrists slit If you suffer a lot from the pins and needles and dead arms go and see the doc for an appointment to have a the tingle test. You will then find out if it is Carpel Tunnel.

Usually caused by the muscles in your wrists getting too big and pinching the nerves. It took an hour to have both mine done with keyhole surgery and a local anesthetic and back to work after a couple of weeks, but it did not seem to bother me that much so I was using my hands the next day for the usual light tasks. I can't even find the scars anymore.

It was an annoying sort of ailment and I suffered more at night when trying to sleep and getting my arms in the right place. But it did stop me riding the chopper for a while, because of the apehanger handlebars. That was when I decided to something about it.

Thank you Ace.  I have adjusted my bike handlebar sleeve to have my wrist slightly higher than my fingers which helps somewhat.  I also wake up some mornings and need to wriggle my arm into a different position.  Did not mention keyboard but that is also sometimes an issue, although I keep my wrist nice and high whilst typing anyway.

Glad to hear the op was fairly trivial and your recovery fast.  Muscles squeezing on the nerve would fit with it being far worse after a couple of days of digging our clay!  You did not say whether your op has fully cured it, but I guess it must have done.  Thank you, I feel ready to make that appointment now. 

[antipodes]

I have suffered with this. Tingling in the fingers and numbness, especially in the morning (the tunnel swells during rest periods!) and loss of good grip tension. Definitely go and have the nerve test done. It's is very unpleasant unfortunately but necessary as once you start to have the symptoms you are having, the nerves are being affected. Do not leave it hoping it will go away as permanent damage can occur...
I did not have the op, I changed my working habits ( I work in IT and have all the bits and bobs for posture etc) and I am very careful picking up heavy things now (also a cause...). I went to a rhumatologist and had steroid injections in the carpal tunnel. Also unpleasant, painful wrists for about 3 days but it worked very well as my case, although rather long standing was quite mild. My sister had the op though and she was very pleased with the result (she worked in accounting so had RSI). Good luck to you in any case!

[Silverleaf]

Hope you get it sorted out Galina!

I looked up CTS and I think I might have a similar problem with my feet. Tingling/burning from heel to big toe and ankles especially if I stretch that area, occasional pain in the instep that feels exactly like I'm about to get violent cramp but eases off after a few seconds. My feet swell if I'm hot or stand up too long and that makes it worse.

I'd been thinking it was just another fibro symptom but looks like I should probably go to the doc and get it checked out.

[Digeroo]

Stop putting it off and get and see your doc.

[Silverleaf]

Stop putting it off and get and see your doc.

Urgh. I hate seeing doctors, they have an unfortunate tendency to tell me that any problems I have are either fibro- or weight-related and that there's nothing they can do. I know I should though.

[Digeroo]

I hate seeing doctors

I am also not keen.  Also heard the weight thing too often.    Some of them now seem very young, but they seem to have a better bedside manner.

[galina]

Thank you antipodes.  Great information.  @ Digeroo - yes Mam! 

It has been said often, but that makes it no less true - there is a lot of knowledge and good advice in this group and it is shared generously.  Thank you! 

[antipodes]

Thank you antipodes.  Great information.

No worries.  The dr told me that many people, especially when they only suffer mildly, tend to put it off, but by the time you are really suffering and feeling weakness of grip or a lot of numbness, you are already damaging the nerves that go through the tunnel. So the trick is to go early and then the treatment is not so invasive. Possibly good advice for a lot of ailments in fact!!
I too hate the dr, but my rule of thumb is always, if it is niggling but goes on for more than a fortnight, I will go, for things like a cough, stomach pain, backache etc.

I won't lie, the nerve test is quite horrid as they zap your arm with electric shocks and stick needles in it :-(  but it doesn't last too long.  The injections in the wrist were actually painless, no worse than a blood test but there was a lot of pain and aching in the forearm afterwards. The result however was really noticeable.
Take care with lifting heavy things, use two hands, and change your posture often as you do deskwork. And take care!