Posts Tagged ‘carpal tunnel’
I was just diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel, and knitting is one of my passions, I refuse to give it up, have seen a DR, gave me some sort of shot…didn’t work. Have pain in both hands.
HELP?
I’ve had surgery on both hands for carpal tunnel within the last few months. This was after trying splints, ultrasound, anti inflammatories, rest, specific exercises from the physiotherapist. The surgery has been brilliant – hands are pretty much back to normal now.
Splints (24×7 yuk!) seem to be the first line of defence these days. They keep the wrist straight so the median nerve can hopefully travel freely through the carpal tunnel. And it is a non invasive option which has to be good, so worth a try if your doctor agrees.
I also had nerve conduction tests which confirmed moderate to severe carpal tunnel diagnosis.
I would say keep going back to your doctor if you have pain and if it doesn’t come right ask for a referral to a specialist hand surgeon.
Do not keep putting it off, as if not fixed permanent nerve damage may occur and that will mean the end of knitting for you.
Having trouble getting to my family doctor for carpal tunnel. Has any one used a chiropractor for treatment?
The only thing that the family doctor will do for you is recommend surgery, which is the last thing that you want. A chiropractor is less expensive than a pain management specialist and will address the bio mechanical issues that you are having. There are many peer reviewed studies that address this issue and it doesn’t have to come from your wrist (believe it or not, it can come from your neck or your elbow). I would greatly suggest that you see a chiropractor that specializes in extremities, as this could benefit you immensely. In the meantime, take a rubber band and put it over your fingers and thumb down to your second knuckle. In a slow and controlled motion, without letting it spring off of your hand, spread your fingers and thumb apart from each other. This will work the extensors of your wrist and hand, and will provide counter support in the carpal tunnel area. Do this 3 times per day for about 3 minutes each. Make sure you start with conservative treatment first and then if nothing is working, consider more liberal approaches. I hope this helps and good luck!
I’m pretty sure I have carpal tunnel as I have all the symptoms, and the doctor said that’s most likely what it is. I’m doing all the necessary treatment, so how long until it goes away?
Carpal Tunnel is a lifetime condition.
It is caused by a swelling of tendons inside the 8 bones of the wrist; the swelling is created by a narrowing of those bones. This could be a genetic condition or some other problem. The only way to reverse the condition is to have surgery to shave off part of the interior of those bones. This is delicate surgery and risky at that since it has to be done so near the nerves of the hand. You should only resort to surgery after exhausting ALL other alternatives.
The swelling can be treated with medications like Motrin, Aleve or other NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Once the swelling goes down then you can return to your normal activates. Any program that claims to treat Carpal Tunnel, and there are a lot of them, is a phony unless they handle the swelling. Those programs that claim to cure Carpal Tunnel are phony as well. The might bring temporary relief and the power of positive thinking is pretty potent, but on average they don’t work.
Of course you will have to change the behavior that aggravated the condition. Use a wrist rest and buy an ergonomic keyboard. The doctor can supply a splint that prevents your hand moving in a fashion that would aggravate the condition.
I had a pain in one of my fingers in my right hand. I was diagnosed, at one time, with Carpal Tunnel. It wasn’t until almost 3 years later that I was diagnosed with a worse condition; Fibromyalgia. If you suspect you have Carpal Tunnel then you need to be diagnosed by a doctor. The pain you are having could be one of several things from, just overuse to nerve damage. It will be difficult to exam the inside of the bones with a normal x-ray machine, a CAT scan or even a MRI might be required. These are expensive machines and in high demand so your doctor may not want to commit to using these machines until they are sure that you do have a continuing problem, and there is a strong chance that it might be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.