Carpal tunnel

[curl]

I bought one splint and used it on my right hand all day yesterday and found it did give some relief. Last night I wore it on my left and the only real issue I had was that I still had numbness and pins & needles in my thumb and fingers. My right arm for the most part behaved itself. I'm seriously considering getting another splint so both are supported instead of one at a time.

They are not cheap at $50 each and for something that is likely only to be worn for a short time, you'll have to weigh up the pros & cons for yourself. But, seeming as you (Aussienic) have had the symptoms for a long time it might be a good option for you. I was told to make sure that I bought a splint with a metal bar in it. The chemist had two different ones and the Futuro is the one that felt more comfortable and is lighter than the other brand. GL with your decision, I hope you find some relief.

My Dr said to use the splints to start with and if that doesn't help much he said he'd either do a round of accupuncture or cortisone injections... ouch! But, my DH doesn't come back until 29th Aug so both of these will have to wait until then due to child minding issues.

Gotta go, fingers are really starting to hurt now.

Curl

[aussienic]

I thnk I might give that a go.. Even if I just get one and see how my hands go.. Do you have to wer them out?

and how much movement do you have? I am breastfeeding and obviously need to have flexibility in my wrist

[curl]

They do hold your wrists straight but there is a little bit of flex in them. Go to a good chemist and try them on. They are easy to remove as they are held in place with velcro so doing your normal things isn't too much of a hassle. As for wearing them out... my Dr suggested only wearing them at night because of practical issues with young kids but I found that wearing them hasn't impacted that greatly, I even drove with it on.

[aussienic]

I just did a google search and found something called a Smart Glove.. Its $36.95 so I might give that a go.. This one was for CT and other things...

I will see if the chemist stocks them first otherwise I will order from that site. I am a little cheap when it comes to things for myself so will show around for something cheaper

[Kristen Manallack]

Hi ... just thought I would add some info on why CT often occurs during pregnancy.

-One of the most common causes of carpal tunnel compression is due to fluid retention which increases the pressure within the compartment.
-Another common cause is related to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome where the mechanics of your neck, upper back, upper ribs and shoulders affect the structures (nerves and blood supply) going into and out of your arm causing the nerve to be more senitive to the compression and reducing the mobility of the nerve.
- In pregnant women the increasing weight and breast size can alter the posture and the mechanics of the above areas resulting in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel.

A great deal of success is often achieved by treating both carpal tunnel and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome using manual therapies (eg. Osteopathy). Treatment is aimed at releasing and stretching of tight muscles, improving circulation dynamics and neural mobility etc. Home stretches are often prescribed for maintenance!

Hope you find this helpful!

[foreva*your*mummy]

Well I had CT 5 years ago. I went to the Physio and she did masages and made me wear the splint all day and night for about a month, in this time I was going to the Physio 1 time a week, I didnt feel that what she was doing was making it any better although the splint was FANTASTIC!!!.

THEN my physio also did acupuncture, she did this on my CT and I have never had any pain after that!! I would defiantly recomend this before you go to the extreme of an operation. It dosnt always work for everyone, but i do think it is worth a try when you have children.

[aussienic]

Kristen.. Thanks for posting that info..

I have been using a splint for around a week now I think. I don't wear it all day and night cus that simply isn't possible.. plus it hurts a bit afetr a while.. just the general material rubbing...

I was finding my wrost was very sore when I took it off.. but the symtoms have eased heaps..

[Tashie D]

Kristen, thanks from me too for posting that info.

I've had minor issues that are now getting a bit worse with my hands at night. Have put in a referral at the hospital for a physio appt, just waiting for the call.

I do have upper back joint issues and muscle spasms in my left shoulder that have been relieved only by me wearing my pelvic support belt that I had from my last pregnancy.

This is definately something that I suffer from with all my pregnancies, but as we don't have private health anymore I haven't been able to get to the osteo or chiro like have done in the past pregnancies.

With $$ being a major factor for us at the moment, I'm crossing my fingers the hosp calls soon and I can get in and see them. Wish me luck!!

[Inertia]

Just revive this thread, see if anyone can relate or has any suggestions.

My DH was diagnosed with CTS last year some time. Dr Incoll referred him for carpel release surgery, which was performed on the 12th of February. It was endoscopic release, but to be honest, the incision looks more like an short open hand (single wrist incision 2-3cms long instead of two 'punctures'). Now a month later he still has pain in the wrists. Naturally at first I was reassuring him that it was normal - this was trauma to the body and its going to object to it - strenuously, but as you can imagine, that is starting to wear thin with him.

Anyone else had carpal release and has any ideas if this is normal, or if there is something he can do to fix it. They gave him panadine forte when he left the hospital, but he doesn't want to be using them a month later.

In addition to that, the feeling still hasnt returned to his right hand. He is starting to worry it wont ever come back - and now instead of it being just numb, he has pain that wasnt there before. I just want to find something to make the recovery time easier for him to handle.

[chris]

Hi Inertia,
I had the op done back in July 07. I can remember I did have pain and I was told it was because the bone was operated on and the nerve layer on the surface of the bone was cut. The pain is from the nerves on the bone mending themselves. At the time I was on alot of pain medication for other problems that I have so I didn't think the pain was a real problem so when I was given the explanation I didn't worry too much about it.

He should have been told before the op that there is a risk of permanent damage (I know I was because the Dr was sure it was going to happen to me as my CT was really bad).

Was he given a few exercises to do with his hand for the months after the opp and was he told to massage the scar with cream to descensotise the op site on his hand.

When I went back to have the last check up the Dr wanted to do my other wrist before it gets too bad but I think I'll wait till I really need it done. As I had my CT done under a local and it wasn't a pleasant experience at all.

Tell your hubby to use pain killers while his wrist is healing it can take up to 6 months for the nerves to heal and then they are easily upset with tooo much use

Take care
Chris