Has anybody here had the carpal tunnel operation?
Discussion
I posted a year or so back telling about how playing the X-box gave me so much grief, but I never actually went to see a specialist. This last week I've had a real bad 'bout' as I've been doing some seriously hard graft at work, and it is getting worse every time I have it.
I have the wrist supports to wear at night, but they just don't seem to work so well anymore, so, I'm seriously considering going to a local private hospital and throwing myself in their hands, as it were. I work offshore, five weeks on, five off, so I'd like it done at the start of my break to give it all time to heal.
Anybody got any personal experience with the key-hole surgery, good or bad. I'm nervous, understandably, in case I all goes pear shaped and my fingers drop off.
I have the wrist supports to wear at night, but they just don't seem to work so well anymore, so, I'm seriously considering going to a local private hospital and throwing myself in their hands, as it were. I work offshore, five weeks on, five off, so I'd like it done at the start of my break to give it all time to heal.
Anybody got any personal experience with the key-hole surgery, good or bad. I'm nervous, understandably, in case I all goes pear shaped and my fingers drop off.
I had some cartilage removed from my knee with keyhole surgery about a year ago, they had to chop it open to get a cyst out though but the keyhole bit was healed in no time and the whole operation was over in a flash. In hospital for 9am out and back home by 12.30pm I was back at work 2 weeks later with some discomfort but that was due to the chopped open bit.
Thats the keyhole scar a week after the op, you can barely notice it now.
Thats the keyhole scar a week after the op, you can barely notice it now.
deevlash said:
I had some cartilage removed from my knee with keyhole surgery about a year ago, they had to chop it open to get a cyst out though but the keyhole bit was healed in no time and the whole operation was over in a flash. In hospital for 9am out and back home by 12.30pm I was back at work 2 weeks later with some discomfort but that was due to the chopped open bit.
Thats the keyhole scar a week after the op, you can barely notice it now.
Are you a werewolf?Thats the keyhole scar a week after the op, you can barely notice it now.
X-box wrist injury, huh? 
Sorry.
The "tunnel" is a hollow formed by the curved layout of the small bones in the wrist (carpals) which has a thick fibrous tissue "roof" over it, and a large nerve runs through this space. Some activities, particularly repetitive movements of the hands when the wrist is flexed, cause inflammation of the nerve and surrounding tissues, which leads to swelling which traps the nerve in it's tunnel. Steroid injections reduce inflammation, and hopefully reduce the swelling - they do work very well if correctly done. The operation, whether keyhole or open, is a simple procedure to split the roof of the tunnel to release pressure on the nerve. It's a day case procedure, and would almost certainly cure the problem.
Sorry.
The "tunnel" is a hollow formed by the curved layout of the small bones in the wrist (carpals) which has a thick fibrous tissue "roof" over it, and a large nerve runs through this space. Some activities, particularly repetitive movements of the hands when the wrist is flexed, cause inflammation of the nerve and surrounding tissues, which leads to swelling which traps the nerve in it's tunnel. Steroid injections reduce inflammation, and hopefully reduce the swelling - they do work very well if correctly done. The operation, whether keyhole or open, is a simple procedure to split the roof of the tunnel to release pressure on the nerve. It's a day case procedure, and would almost certainly cure the problem.Edited by nubbin. on Friday 5th October 17:58
Had the op on Wednesday morning. In at 9:30 home by 2:00. It took ten mins per arm. The worst bit is the anesthetic which stings like a bitch.
Wrists are still in pressure dressings until my wife gets back and changes them for me.
I have had carpul tunnel trouble on and off for years, hard to tell how it has gone so far but i have been keeping my arms raised for the past 2 days to keep the swelling down and my fingers aren't numb like they used to be.
Wrists are still in pressure dressings until my wife gets back and changes them for me.
I have had carpul tunnel trouble on and off for years, hard to tell how it has gone so far but i have been keeping my arms raised for the past 2 days to keep the swelling down and my fingers aren't numb like they used to be.
Edited by Smart roadster on Friday 5th October 18:33
Edited by Smart roadster on Friday 5th October 18:40
nubbin. said:
X-box wrist injury, huh?
Sorry. The "tunnel" is a hollow formed by the curved layout of the small bones in the wrist (carpals) which has a thick fibrous tissue "roof" over it, and a large nerve runs through this space. Some activities, particularly repetitive movements of the hands when the wrist is flexed, cause inflammation of the nerve and surrounding tissues, which leads to swelling which traps the nerve in it's tunnel. Steroid injections reduce inflammation, and hopefully reduce the swelling - they do work very well if correctly done. The operation, whether keyhole or open, is a simple procedure to split the roof of the tunnel to release pressure on the nerve. It's a day case procedure, and would almost certainly cure the problem.
Sorry.
The "tunnel" is a hollow formed by the curved layout of the small bones in the wrist (carpals) which has a thick fibrous tissue "roof" over it, and a large nerve runs through this space. Some activities, particularly repetitive movements of the hands when the wrist is flexed, cause inflammation of the nerve and surrounding tissues, which leads to swelling which traps the nerve in it's tunnel. Steroid injections reduce inflammation, and hopefully reduce the swelling - they do work very well if correctly done. The operation, whether keyhole or open, is a simple procedure to split the roof of the tunnel to release pressure on the nerve. It's a day case procedure, and would almost certainly cure the problem.nevpugh308 said:
Also, have you seen a physio / tried ultrasound / cold & hot packs / high dose anti inflamatory course ... ? There's plenty of options which might work first, before surgery
I'm much in preference to non-invasive repairs if possible, but I've heard that steroid (cortisone?) injections are at best temporary, and can actually cause nerve damage if done wrong, or too many times.The medic on my ship tells me that each time I over do things, the tendons inflame, which causes the numbness and pain, and also creates more scar tissue each time, which in turn makes it more painful/serious the next time it happens.
Smart roadster said:
Had the op on Monday morning. In at 9:30 home by 2:00. It took ten mins per arm. The worst bit is the anesthetic which stings like a bitch.
Wrists are still in pressure dressings until my wife gets back and changes them for me.
I have had carpul tunnel trouble on and off for years, hard to tell how it has gone so far but i have been keeping my arms raised for the past 2 days to keep the swelling down and my fingers aren't numb like they used to be.
What sort of 'alternatives' did you try before the op, if any? Did you suffer most of the time or did you have periods of months/years where you never felt it? I went for a couple of years with nothing, until I started building my garage last year, then it came back every time I did anything strenouos. Wrists are still in pressure dressings until my wife gets back and changes them for me.
I have had carpul tunnel trouble on and off for years, hard to tell how it has gone so far but i have been keeping my arms raised for the past 2 days to keep the swelling down and my fingers aren't numb like they used to be.
Let me know how you get on over the next few days. How are you typing this? Pencil in your mouth?
Been suffering quite a bit of late with sysptoms which sound very much like CTS (been doing some reading) - numb, tingling sensation in fingers, especially whilst using computer mouse. RSI?
Not been to see anyone about it this time, but had it a few years ago and went for a few physio sessions paid for by my employer. Seemed to do the trick for a while, but now the pain is back and more regularly than before.
Not been to see anyone about it this time, but had it a few years ago and went for a few physio sessions paid for by my employer. Seemed to do the trick for a while, but now the pain is back and more regularly than before.
Kingy
I used braces for ages then it cleared up the next time it occured I started with braces then had steriod injections in each wrist. That worked for a while. This episod started in the spring and I have been using braces again since then. With a kid on the way I wanted this sorted out hopefully permenantly.
My fingers are free from the dressings so I can type slowly. I have passed the 48 hours of hands being raised so as long as I take regular breaks I can now use the computer again. I won't be able to drive until at least Weds when I get the stitches out. I will keep you updated as I go along.
I used braces for ages then it cleared up the next time it occured I started with braces then had steriod injections in each wrist. That worked for a while. This episod started in the spring and I have been using braces again since then. With a kid on the way I wanted this sorted out hopefully permenantly.
My fingers are free from the dressings so I can type slowly. I have passed the 48 hours of hands being raised so as long as I take regular breaks I can now use the computer again. I won't be able to drive until at least Weds when I get the stitches out. I will keep you updated as I go along.
Had both mine done about 13 years ago, damaged both of them through doing too much in the gym/ mountain biking and having a repetitive job working as an aircraft fitter. From what I remember,op hurt like hell for about a day (sitting on the sofa with your hands in the air-like you just don't care!!!) was back training (vert very light)after about 6 weeks,proberly a little too soon in hindsight- oopps! Now fully sorted no pain / pin and needles etc
Smart roadster said:
Kingy
I used braces for ages then it cleared up the next time it occured I started with braces then had steriod injections in each wrist. That worked for a while. This episod started in the spring and I have been using braces again since then. With a kid on the way I wanted this sorted out hopefully permenantly.
My fingers are free from the dressings so I can type slowly. I have passed the 48 hours of hands being raised so as long as I take regular breaks I can now use the computer again. I won't be able to drive until at least Weds when I get the stitches out. I will keep you updated as I go along.
Thanks dude. I used braces for ages then it cleared up the next time it occured I started with braces then had steriod injections in each wrist. That worked for a while. This episod started in the spring and I have been using braces again since then. With a kid on the way I wanted this sorted out hopefully permenantly.
My fingers are free from the dressings so I can type slowly. I have passed the 48 hours of hands being raised so as long as I take regular breaks I can now use the computer again. I won't be able to drive until at least Weds when I get the stitches out. I will keep you updated as I go along.
I'll be watching this thread with trepidation for the first 'bad' news someone comes up with. Like most people, everything I do relies on my hands, I'm a mechanic by trade and also do the same stuff at home, car building, welding, all the 'hands on' type stuff.
King Herald said:
I posted a year or so back telling about how playing the X-box gave me so much grief, but I never actually went to see a specialist. This last week I've had a real bad 'bout' as I've been doing some seriously hard graft at work, and it is getting worse every time I have it.
I have the wrist supports to wear at night, but they just don't seem to work so well anymore, so, I'm seriously considering going to a local private hospital and throwing myself in their hands, as it were. I work offshore, five weeks on, five off, so I'd like it done at the start of my break to give it all time to heal.
Anybody got any personal experience with the key-hole surgery, good or bad. I'm nervous, understandably, in case I all goes pear shaped and my fingers drop off.
Mrs. Tunku has had both wrists done. Took a good few weeks to recover and she still has problems, albeit less than she did. Conversly a work colleage of hers had the same op and is delighted with the change. I have the wrist supports to wear at night, but they just don't seem to work so well anymore, so, I'm seriously considering going to a local private hospital and throwing myself in their hands, as it were. I work offshore, five weeks on, five off, so I'd like it done at the start of my break to give it all time to heal.
Anybody got any personal experience with the key-hole surgery, good or bad. I'm nervous, understandably, in case I all goes pear shaped and my fingers drop off.
Tunku said:
King Herald said:
I posted a year or so back telling about how playing the X-box gave me so much grief, but I never actually went to see a specialist. This last week I've had a real bad 'bout' as I've been doing some seriously hard graft at work, and it is getting worse every time I have it.
I have the wrist supports to wear at night, but they just don't seem to work so well anymore, so, I'm seriously considering going to a local private hospital and throwing myself in their hands, as it were. I work offshore, five weeks on, five off, so I'd like it done at the start of my break to give it all time to heal.
Anybody got any personal experience with the key-hole surgery, good or bad. I'm nervous, understandably, in case I all goes pear shaped and my fingers drop off.
Mrs. Tunku has had both wrists done. Took a good few weeks to recover and she still has problems, albeit less than she did. Conversly a work colleage of hers had the same op and is delighted with the change. I have the wrist supports to wear at night, but they just don't seem to work so well anymore, so, I'm seriously considering going to a local private hospital and throwing myself in their hands, as it were. I work offshore, five weeks on, five off, so I'd like it done at the start of my break to give it all time to heal.
Anybody got any personal experience with the key-hole surgery, good or bad. I'm nervous, understandably, in case I all goes pear shaped and my fingers drop off.
I have also done some research that suggest other problems in the elbow or shoulder can produce similar symptoms to carpal tunnel, such as numbness in the whole hand, not just the typical three and a half fingers fed by the median nerve. That may well be part of my problem too as I get whole hand numbness sometimes.
King Herald said:
Tunku said:
King Herald said:
I posted a year or so back telling about how playing the X-box gave me so much grief, but I never actually went to see a specialist. This last week I've had a real bad 'bout' as I've been doing some seriously hard graft at work, and it is getting worse every time I have it.
I have the wrist supports to wear at night, but they just don't seem to work so well anymore, so, I'm seriously considering going to a local private hospital and throwing myself in their hands, as it were. I work offshore, five weeks on, five off, so I'd like it done at the start of my break to give it all time to heal.
Anybody got any personal experience with the key-hole surgery, good or bad. I'm nervous, understandably, in case I all goes pear shaped and my fingers drop off.
Mrs. Tunku has had both wrists done. Took a good few weeks to recover and she still has problems, albeit less than she did. Conversly a work colleage of hers had the same op and is delighted with the change. I have the wrist supports to wear at night, but they just don't seem to work so well anymore, so, I'm seriously considering going to a local private hospital and throwing myself in their hands, as it were. I work offshore, five weeks on, five off, so I'd like it done at the start of my break to give it all time to heal.
Anybody got any personal experience with the key-hole surgery, good or bad. I'm nervous, understandably, in case I all goes pear shaped and my fingers drop off.
I have also done some research that suggest other problems in the elbow or shoulder can produce similar symptoms to carpal tunnel, such as numbness in the whole hand, not just the typical three and a half fingers fed by the median nerve. That may well be part of my problem too as I get whole hand numbness sometimes.
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