Anybody had Carpel Tunnel surgery?

SB118

SB118

SB118

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Been getting pain in my hands for about a year now, been to the doctors and referred to the hospital for nerve tests, which came back saying i have "moderate" symptoms.

Saw my GP again today and he says that surgery is the only option that will be effective. I'd heard their were steroid injections i could get, but he says those are only a short term fix, going under the knife is the only option to get it fixed for good.

I'll admit i'm an utter coward when it comes to anything medical and am terrified of surgery.

Anybody here had it done? Good/bad experiences?
 
Just go for it, I imagine the risks associated are negligable and the benefits muchos wholesome.

The only time I ever wimped out of an operation was one on my eye, didn't like the thought of them cutting my eye :o I wasn't suffering as a result of my issue either.
 
My Dad has had this on both hands on separate occasions.

He had pins and needles in his hands and was much much better after having this done.

He asked the nurse if he would be able to play piano after the op... she said he would be able to which he replied is pretty impressive because he couldn't before the op. She didn't get it.
 
Carpal tunnel surgery isn't guarenteed to work and last, there are lots of avenues you should explore first starting with seeing a physio and getting occupational health to asses your work environment.
 
My Mum had it done. According to her the pain of the Carpal Tunnel was unbearable and she could hardly do anything with her hands by the end, it had got that bad. The pain from the operation was hell and done on separate occasions for each hand, but she doesn't suffer at all now.

R34P3R said:
He asked the nurse if he would be able to play piano after the op... she said he would be able to which he replied is pretty impressive because he couldn't before the op. She didn't get it.
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Lol, a cheesy line I have committed to memory :D
 
I have a mate who had both done. AFter being in so much pain he couldn't sleep at nights, he is now pain free.

Simple op done under local.

Tips he told me:

1. if they ask do you want to watch, don't. He said yes with the first one and then fainted when the doctor started grinding his bones with his wrist cut open.

2. He felt great the first few hours but he says the next two days you are in agony and hitting your head against the wall but worth it for the long time gain.
 
straighforward procedure (usually) can be done under local or general anaesthetic
get the most symptomatic done first
make sure you ask about potential complications (accidental division of motor branch of median nerve to thenar eminence) if this is cut then the thumb muscles don't work properly...
 
SB118 said:
I'm working as a mechanic right now, lots of applying leverage and hitting stuff with a hammer. On a good day anyway.
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Your occupation isn't good for you and makes the risks of a recurrence even after sugery all the more likely so you should definatley look into all the other options even if you do undergo surgery. If you have the right knowledge you will be surprised how you can ease the effects of your daily tasks on your wrists.
 
I have. It didn't fix things. Personally unless you've had steroid injections, extensive physio, etc. first I wouldn't touch it.

Oh, and watch, it's ace! You can see the nerve and everything.

Also, mine took signicantly longer to recover strength than they said it would.
 
Had a call yesterday, got an appointment to talk to a surgeon on the 19th.

The thought of viewing the work both interests me and scares me!

Those that have had it done, how long was it until you could drive again? (all down to the individual i know but an average would be interesting)
 
With my mate who I work with, the pain and the bandages are huge but he was driving again within a few days (whether he was supposed to is another matter).

He fitted a steering wheel ball thing (like you see on trucks and buses but don't know its real name) and then the only ackward bit was holding the sterring wheel with one finger of his right hand as he changed gear.

A few weeks he was back to normal though.
 
I have had both done, in 2008. Now depending on your surgeon. will depend how big your scare is. Mine at a private hospital (gotta love the NHS pick your hospital). Mine is a small cut about 2-3cm long (they generally follow the natural lines in your hand). Was half a day in hospital. The cut is in the hand and they use a tool to open the cut as wide as possible. Then just push the scissors in and cut. Took about 30mins in total. 4-6 weeks to be fully healed. All tho I had to drive the kids to school after a week. (lazy wife).

I from time to time get a tingle or pain n my wrist still but nothing like it was.

you can get the complications, just like any surgery.


So the choice is yours. If you have it in both hand, get one done and see if it goes well. Then your choice for the other hand.
 
Went to see a surgeon today, she did some more poking and prodding and she tells me that the procedure would probably be a successful, but apparently i also have traits of "cubital tunnel" problems too. So i could need further work to get rid of the problem after my hands are done.

Think i might be sticking with the drugs for now.
 
SB118 said:
Think i might be sticking with the drugs for now.
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I had awful awful daily heartburn for years from age 18 to 21. I was on tablets which I knew were bad for me but they kept the pain away.

I finally had the operation I required in Nov and it has changed my life.

I know you may think the op is not for you, but a few days or weeks of pain during recovery is better than a life on pills to make it bearable.

I realise my problem is nothing to do with yours, but hope this helps:).
 
Dropping stuff around the house is one thing, but dropping the baby when it's born in september would be bad.....

Time to man the **** up, booked in to get my left hand done on friday 10th.
 
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