Carpal Tunnel, already??

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

Not only is your manual dexterity affected, but what a hand hygiene nightmare! Years and years ago, I was diagnosed with CT in my right hand. At the time, I was a student in college and did the majority of my writing by hand. I think that may have been the repetitive motion that set it all off. Later, in my previous (to nursing) career, I would have flareups when I spent a great deal of my time using the computer mouse (computerized video editing). During that time, I was also chair of our workplace safety committee, and we did a large amount of work on office ergonomics. By adapting my work habits and my workspace design to be more ergonomic, I was able to keep my CT at bay. I can spend a lot of time typing and by keeping my wrists in a neutral position, avoid any discomfort or pain.

I'm wondering if physical therapy might be appropriate for you? Also, when I wore a wrist brace, I had an elastic band that went around just my wrist to help give it support and keep it neutral. It wasn't as effective as the hand braces you're using, but it was a good alternative for times when that type of brace was cumbersome. I'm not suggesting you go against your doctor's advice, but perhaps this is something you could ask about?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

i've had it for years, probably worsened because i was started on piano when i was very, very young. i had all the symptoms you mention above, especially the hand numbness when driving. i had been wearing wrist splints to bed for years to avoid waking up in pain. i learned long ago how to drop my arm and wrist into a neutral position to stop the numbness. i did it frequently when at work because i needed to be able to feel what i was doing (i was an iv therapist) and there was no way i was wearing my wrist splints to work. when i had chemotherapy last year my fingers went completely numb from the drugs i was given and i complained so much about it that my internist (not the oncologist) sent me to a neurologist. the emgs showed really, really bad cts and an ulnar nerve entrapment. they pushed me to go to a surgeon. they tried scaring me by saying that if i ignored this for too long my fingers would start to deform. i almost started laughing because i have had this for so long and i didn't feel they were listening to me as i was describing the change in my symptoms as a result of the chemotherapy. i felt that surgery wasn't going to totally fix the problem since the chemo had caused a lot of nerve damage and i had been living with cts for years anyway. i had carpal and ulnar tunnel release surgery on the left (the worst side) this past august. the surgery was really a piece of cake and i never needed a pain pill and was in a plaster splint for 2 weeks is all. after that i was moving my hand without a problem. my fingers are still numb but it is nerve damage from the chemo which is probably not going to go away for a long time, if ever. what i have noticed is that when i am driving i do not get the numbness in my left hand anymore when i am griping the steering wheel. they say it is up to me if i want to do the surgery on the right hand.

so, if they are recommending surgery, i would say do it. if the nerve damage from this chemo ever resolves i am confident that the corrections made by the surgery were good. it's just that i can't tell at the moment other than i am more comfortable when driving. my biggest fear of the surgery was the inconvenience of that upper extremity hand and forearm being out of use for 2 weeks. the surgery is done at an outpatient surgery center. i have a cat that needs insulin shots 2 times a day. i pre-filled 20 syringes of insulin and had no trouble injecting the cat. wiping after going to the bathroom wasn't a problem either.

pegosys · Feb 8, 2009

I too have had carpal tunnel due to typing, was retrained to be a dialysis technician (talk about a physical job!) But that is when I fell in love with medicine, I am now in nursing school, I graduate in Dec 09. I had surgery in 2004 in both hands, and can now use them both with full dexterity. My right hand was pretty bad so I have some permanent nerve damage (at the base of my thumb) but it doesn't interfere with anything I do. I still cannot write for long periods of time, but I would do the surgery again in a minute, it has helped tremendously! Just make sure you do your research on your surgeon, make sure you pick a HAND surgeon that has done MANY CT releases. I had to have 3 surgeries on my right hand, because 2 doctors didn't know what they were doing, I finally found the one that did my 3rd and last surgery on my right hand, I then trusted him enough to do my left hand. I have been great ever since! Good luck and don't give up!!

Winningjob · Jun 25, 2010

I have Carpal Tunnel in both wrists and was given a Veteran's Administration rating of 10% for each. I was a percussionist/drummer in the Army and have since put down the drum sticks. I currently trying to get the Vocational Rehabilitation/Education program to approve nursing school but need to prove that I will be able to perform my duties as a nurse. I was told to get a note from a doctor. Any other suggestions/research that anyone can point me to? Thanks!