Who has had Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

[NY65912]

Last year my right hand (thumb, index and middle finger) was numb last year after doing a ton of body work on the track car. Doc told me I needed carpal tunnel surgery. Had all the tests done and had a 45-55% loss in the hand. The pain was into my forearm and shoulder.

It took almost a year to clear up 95% of what is was, but it did and I was living with it fine.

Doc said that it would eventually need surgery if I decide on "using tools''.

I have been doing a remodel in my home and swinging hammers to beat the band. I even twisted my wrist when a drill bit got bound up in a wood stud.

Well it has come home to roost. My middle finger feels like it is going to explode, yes it is swollen. The pain is very bad this time. Pain in the wrist, forearm and shoulder. It is very painful to type and use the mouse.

The numbness is 300% more than it was last year.

I go see the hand doc this coming Tuesday. I know he's going to recommend surgery.

Anyone have luck with CT surgery?

[Noah930]

I've never had it, but it's what I do for a living. 99% of people do well with the surgery. If the symptoms are as you describe, you should have it. If the numbness is 300% worse than last year, arguably you should have had it last year.

There are a myriad of ways to do the surgery. I've pretty much done them all. They're all about the same. In the end, pick your surgeon, not the technique he/she uses.

[NY65912]

Thanks Noah,

My doc is a hand specialist at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. He's UCLA trained and is a very highly recommended doc for this kind of surgery.

My niece is a nurse at NYPH Weill-Cornell and got me the recommendation.

Thanks for the info.

[Zeke]

My wife has had it and she seems fine. It took awhile to get back to normal. Hers was precipitated by a nasty fall. Like down a flight of stairs and she landed face down with her hands out.

[MarkRobinson]

My wife had the Brown procedure (I believe) done last year: she immediately knew it was gonna work being rolled out of the outpatient facility, though took a few months to get back to normal w/o complaining about it. Was about 9k & covered by insurance (all but like 10%).

[NY65912]

Thanks for the info. I have heard a lot of fail stories. I think I'm headed for the knife.

[NY65912]

Doc said that surgery will be required. Doing the procedure thru 1 small incision.

Carpal and tendonitis. Middle finger is the worst, pain, numbness and it feels as though it is swollen.

Crap, six weeks before I would be allowed to do any work with tools!!! Does'nt the surgeon know I have a Porsche to put back together!

Any comments are appreciated. I am just a tiny bit apprehensive.

[Noah930]

Once the incision is healed up in a couple weeks, you're free to go wrench. If you have an open technique incision, make that 3-4 weeks. Activity might hurt (cause pain), but it's not going to hurt anything (cause damage). My partner was back operating a week after surgery. He had it done with a mini-open incision, which is realistically much like an endoscopic technique.

[daepp]

Too much Pelican?

[porsche4life]

Don't beat it so often?