carpal tunnel

[nando]

Since this is a repair of my tractor driving (right) wrist, I hope this is the correct place to post. I'm beginning to have more carpal tunnel discomfort, so surgery is becoming an option for relief. I would really appreciate to hear from someone who has had this surgery. Please share your experience with results, recovery, and satisfaction with this repair. Thanks again for any reply.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

So far I've put off surgery, but do exercises and wear a brace at night ...

I've heard there are some kinda shots that will possibly help, lasts from 1-12 months ... Cost is about $400 ... But I haven't done that yet either ... Still driving my semi-truck and tractor when I'm home ...

 

[ArlyA]

Had both my writs done after years of pain and my arms falling going numb. Best thing was having those tunnels clipped and greif went away... (in time)

 

[Thomas]

Had it done no regrets,just take it easy for couple months.

 

[kf4uda]

I am with @ArlyA and @Thomas. I have had both done after suffering too long. Should have done it sooner. As Thomas said just take it easy for a couple of months.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I had gotten so bad I was dropping things, had both of mine done at the same time, figured while I was out and down go ahead with it, the doctor went through the palms of my hands up into the wrist and did mine, I healed up pretty quickly and was back in action, I would recommend it to anyone who is suffering with pain, numbness, sleepless nights and dropping things.

 

[caver]

Went through palm and no noticeable scar. That wrist can still become irritated BUT it happens after repeated abuse such as mouse usage. If it's your dominant hand you will learn to wipe with the other hand as you heal. I know, TMI as the kids say.

 

[Alan W.]

Had my right hand done when I couldn’t hold a piece of paper. My mind said I had it gripped but it would slip out of my hand. I never had pain or symptoms until one night all of a sudden I couldn’t grip anything.
Tried the shots no help. Had the surgery and afterwards the surgeon told me I couldn’t go back to what I was doing so I made a career change.
Impact such as hammering will mess mine up for a day or two but other than that Im good.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I'm putting off the surgery until after I retire from truck driving, and probably only do one at a time, both hurt me now on and off, occasionally go numb, but never lost my grip except after a horrible day of pounding fence posts in ROCKY ground, but right side is worse, but I live alone, so one hand I can deal with until the other one heals ...

 

[RjCorazza]

I had my Left wrist done about 18 years ago. After a brief recovery I was as good as new.

 

[nando]

Many thanks to all who responded. Your responses have certainly removed a lot of worry about this surgery. Thanks again.

 

[big bubba]

At the risk of being too personal, would be interesting to know the average age of the forum members above who have had it done.... is the necessary procedure basically age related like worn out knees or hips? or other of abuses we do to ourselves esp given our excessive computer time these days?

Way back in the day, when life expectancy was much less, wonder if carpal tunnel was even a concern among farmers & tractor users, they would have passed before wearing out their joints...

OP: like cataract procedures these days, i wouldn't be concerned re: surgery to ease your discomfort once you've chosen a surgeon with a successful track record, regards

 

[Shawn T. W.]

In my case it was improper driving habits!

My right wrist I use to dangle over the top of my semi-truck shifter, or the top of the steering wheel, that's why that side is worse, the left wrist I also use to hang onto the steering wheel with it, letting my hand dangle over the front ... Lots of vibration for millions of miles!

I just turned 60 a couple of weeks ago, driving for 34 years ...

I probably am looking at cataract surgery too in a few years, doctor says not yet though ...

 

[RjCorazza]

I'm going on 64, so I had the carpel tunnel surgery at 46. I don't know the cause other than years of abuse in the fire service and an early adopter of computers.
I did have cataract surgery earlier this year. One eye suddenly (over 2 months) got drastically worse, and they did both eyes a few weeks apart.

 

[Alan W.]

I was thirty six when I had mine done. Im now.

 

[nando]

I'm 81 with the carpal symptoms getting worse after a couple of years.
Both eyes repaired several years ago with no other surgeries.

Hate to sound like a broken record but I really appreciate everyone's response to this question.

 

[etpm]

In 1999 both of my wrists were crushed when I was hit head on by a truck in my lane. The surgeon who did many surgeries on my wrists was the best in the USA. I eventually had to have carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists. I was enrolled in a study to help determine if there was a benefit to arthroscopic surgery or the traditional surgery where the palm is cut open. I had the palm surgery on one hand and the arthroscopic surgery on the other hand. The arthroscopic surgery healed faster but the end result was the same. This is what the study showed and what my experience was. So pick a good surgeon. I have never regretted my decision to have the carpal tunnel surgery done. But then my wrists were really messed up and still are.
Eric

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Doctor said mine was from wearing rubber gloves day in and day out for years, back surgery, knee surgery, shoulder surgery were all work related as well.

 

[KCTractors]

I had gotten so bad I was dropping things, had both of mine done at the same time, figured while I was out and down go ahead with it, the doctor went through the palms of my hands up into the wrist and did mine, I healed up pretty quickly and was back in action, I would recommend it to anyone who is suffering with pain, numbness, sleepless nights and dropping things.

I am going through that right now, hands are just throbbing with pain especially at night all the way up to elbow. Have no strength in the hands or fingers. Takes both hands to lift a cup of coffee in the morning. I go to bed at 11:00 and by 1:30, the pain wakes me up. Go sit on the recliner and seems to help some. Doctor gave me prescription for Medrol for 6 days, worked great for eight days than the pain came back and he wouldn't give me anymore because it was to hard on the body. Went through a tube of Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel in two weeks, was supposed to last a month. Now on the second tube.
I am having surgery on the left wrist and elbow May 12/26. I can't wait to get it done. Second one will be about two weeks later. I will be 80 in six more weeks.