Carpal Tunnel Release - Anyone Have this Done?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by gardener34

Thanks for all this, I believe I have just developed carpal tunnel. In my pointer and middle fingers from excessively clicking/using the mouse. But from what I understand from reading, it also can be developed from sleeping positions. Which I feel may have contributed.
It has been only about a week where I feel numbness/tingling in those two fingers. So I got a hand brace that says it is specifically for ct and wear it at night. And I have been taking B6 for a couple days now.
Hopefully it will subside. Does the numbness ever subside on its own?

I am taking a seriously hard look at the ergonomics of my desk at work now. I thought I was OK, guess not though.
I heard they give you shots to make it subside too. I am guessing surgery is a last option?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is different from trigger finger. I have had both. If your finger is stiff, won't bend, or sort of ratchets when you bend it, it is more likely to be trigger finger which is resolved by injections - magical injections! Goes away on the spot. Only an orthopedic surgeon can diagnose and treat properly.

[OhZone]

It is really strange that they blame this condition on Typing.
Typing has been around for 100 years or more.
The old manual typrewriters were really hard to work and no one got Carpal Tunnel problems.
There is surgery for everything these days isn't there?

Have any of you tried just adding Vitamin B6 to your diet?

I have a similare problem from time to time, except that it is on the outside of the wrist, and it has a different name. I take B6 and rarely have problems.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by OhZone

It is really strange that they blame this condition on Typing.
Typing has been around for 100 years or more.
The old manual typrewriters were really hard to work and no one got Carpal Tunnel problems.
There is surgery for everything these days isn't there?

Have any of you tried just adding Vitamin B6 to your diet?

I have a similare problem from time to time, except that it is on the outside of the wrist, and it has a different name. I take B6 and rarely have problems.

1. Those of us that treat carpal tunnel understand that typing/keyboarding probably has little to do with development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Typing Rarely Cause of Carpal Tunnel

2. Carpal tunnel syndrome was first described in 1854....so much for no one getting it in the old days.....they did....they just couldn't do anything about it.

3. There are alot of surgeries available these days and carpal tunnel surgery is a VERY safe and effective treatment.....its not 1854 anymore

4. Glad to know you have a problem that ISN'T carpal tunnel syndrome that is helped by taking vitamins. Not sure how that helps those actually suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.....but again.....good for you

5. As for vit B6 helping with CTS.....not so much...

Excessive doses of vitamin B6 can be dangerous, study shows

[EllenArlingtonPark]

I had both hands released about 5 years ago. I went to a hand surgeon and he did not cut across the wrist and I healed very quickly. For about two weeks I had to have someone with me to help open doors etc and a home health nurse.

I continue to do the exercises I learned in physical therapy and when my hands are tired I rest them. I am glad that I went to a specialist-it made all the difference!

[ConnieJoe]

I had bi-lateral carpal tunnel done as well, have the right one done first, or if your left handed do that first. I had them done 4 weeks apart. When the right one was well, the left one was done, I managed quite fine and I don't even see the scars, I couldn't prove to anyone that they were done! I had them done in Morristown Hand Surgery or something. the doctors here were great. Best wishes.

[TFW46]

I had the old procedure done under twilight anesthesia in 1994. The right hand was done on a Friday and I went back to work on Monday. I do a lot of computer input and tried to use only my left hand as much as possible. I had the left hand done a couple of months later, again on a Friday and went back to work on the following Monday.

I had allowed my carpal tunnel syndrome to progress to the point where the surgeon didnt think I'd recover fully. But I never expected any problems and never had any.

[baileyvpotter]

Now, I'm nervous after reading this. I just had an EMG test and was told that I had carpal tunnel in both hands. I've tried
to call 2 of my doctors to find out about the surgeon who was recommended. Having more surgeries than I want to mention
(not on my hands) I know how important it is to have a good surgeon. My concern is that the surgeon they recommended
is new and no one knows anything about him & no info on the internet about his background. When I asked the 2 doctors
(well, actually they didn't talk to me but the nurses who never heard of him eventually said he was fine...???) The doctor
who did the test said both hands would be done at once & I could resume my normal routine within 2 days????
From my past experience I ask this question - "would you have him operate on your wife, mother, sister, husband etc.."
I'll be seeing another doctor next week and hope he can give me a experienced surgeon who has done at least 1000
surgeries like this.

[Angela Xu]

I just got it done yesterday, and the surgeon gave me 4 weeks off because the type of job I'm doing (factory labor requires a lot of of heavy liftings), made an appointment with my hand physio next Thursday to remove the stitchers & a consultation, such as: the timeline to return back to work, hand exercises, etc. I did ask my supervisor for 2 weeks off before I went for my surgery, but I'll wait to see what my physio say first, I mean if I need a bit longer time off that I'll take it; after all, that's the hands we are talking, for God sake, you do need to take time to heal, and you Don't want Rush!!! ��

PS: I was very scared, I missec 3 chances already! Finally, I decided to getting it done, then I started worrying about the surgeon, make sure he's experienced; anyway, everything was fine, until I was in the theatre I saw the bed, then I began to cry, I gave them a shock, they asked me if I wanna sit down for awhile before go thru? I sat, then they started asking me about what's my concerns, I told them, ie bleeding, my very first time operating, don't like knives, etc. I just couldn't stop crying... 10 mins late, when the surgeon came in, saw me crying and asked me what's wrong then I told him, I'm just so nervous... Ask for more anaesthetic injections, he pulled a big needle out, said I'll text on your wrist first, see if you can feel any pain, if you do, then I'll give you more, he told me don't look while he's doing the text, so I didn't look; then he told me I can look now, I saw the blood coming out from the several holes he drew on my skin, and I didn't feel any pain, then he said to me, I can cancel the operation if I want to, then I think about the job, the Benefits I'll recieve after the surgery, and I belived I'm in good hands with the experened surgical team behind; all off the sudden, I stopped crying, I said I want to get it done... So, I did it; only about 15-20 mins, would it be sooner if No the crying time, I worried for nothing �� all in all, it's been a great experience! Now, I stay home for recovering!
All I'm trying to say in here is, make an appointment with a specialist, if he/she can't do your operation, ask them to write a refer letter, that way more safer than you looking for one nibs phone book... And, I rather choose a public hospital, than a private clinic more trustworthy!
Last not the least, don't look up YouTube or any other surgical videos, they will make you nervous as hell, trust me!!! ��
Good Luck! ��

[texdav]

The surgeon is everything .Had a lot of friends and they didn't think much of it as surgeries go. As for the recovery time tho I don't recall; especially with your hand use at work. Normally most relied on family doctor for recommendation of good specialist. All turned out fine in end.