Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist and Recommendation for CTS Release Surgeon

[nevets81]

I am suffering from moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and would like to get a second physician's advice about treatment and possible Carpal Tunnel Release surgery.  Has anyone had treatment and/or the CTS release procedure done in Bangkok? I would be interested in any recommendation, especially in regards to a good reliable physician. Thanks! 

[Sheryl]

Professor Panuopan Songcharoen - did my CTS and my sister's, and one of the foremost hand surgeons in Thailand. 

 

He can be seen at any of these:

 

Phyathai 2 Hospital    https://www.phyathai.com/doctor.php?page=7&clinicid=36&branch=PYT2

Siriraj Hosp private wing  http://www.siphhospital.com/th/splash

Thonburi Hospital  http://www.thonburihospitalkh.com/index.php/profile/prof-dr-panupan-songcharoen/

Chaophya Hospital http://www.chaophya.com/web_eng1/doctor_appointment/view_doctor_form.php?id_doctor=63

 

The last 3 are all on the Thinburi side of the river so if you are in Bangkok proper Phyathai 2 will be more convenient

[Rally123]

CTS is detected using a nerve conductivity test. I had both my hands done. The surgeon tried again but stopped after doing a second op on my left hand. He didn't think doing it again on the right hand would make it better.  I had to retire from work due to it. There are no guarantees that operations for CTS work. Try changing jobs.

[nevets81]

Thank you Sheryl,

 

I was wondering which procedure you had done. I am guessing it was minimal evasive arthroscopic surgery. Is that so? How were the surgery and recovery? 

 

Also thanks for sharing Rally and so sorry to hear your result. Makes me wary. Did you have it done in Thailand, and if so, where?

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, nevets81 said:

Thank you Sheryl,

 

I was wondering which procedure you had done. I am guessing it was minimal evasive arthroscopic surgery. Is that so? How were the surgery and recovery? 

 

Also thanks for sharing Rally and so sorry to hear your result. Makes me wary. Did you have it done in Thailand, and if so, where?

You mean endoscopic, not arthroscopic and yes, that was it, simple day surgery with tiny incision, done under a local nerve block. Excellent results, ditto my sister.

 

He has me do nerve conduction study first.

[Rally123]

15 hours ago, nevets81 said:

Also thanks for sharing Rally and so sorry to hear your result. Makes me wary. Did you have it done in Thailand, and if so, where?

I had my operations done privately in the UK. They cut from the centre of the palm to the first fold of the wrist. They wouldn't do both hands at the same time. I had to wait a couple of months before they did the second one. Recovery was very painful and the op was carried out under local anaesthetic.

Your surgeon should give you an estimation of whether him operating will cure your problem. Up to you at the end of the day if you go ahead.

 

[faraday]

That incision a bit too distal for a CTS release surely?

 

 

 

[Rally123]

On 2/10/2018 at 8:28 AM, faraday said:

That incision a bit too distal for a CTS release surely?

No it isn't.

 

[nevets81]

Thanks for the replies. Greatly appreciated. I have received a cortisone shot and the pain has been reduced greatly. I still have numbness and tingling in my thumb to half my ring finger however, and I am wary that the cortisone shot just masks the issue. I have another three weeks before I see my physician. In the meantime I am losing some weight, eating better, and trying to get some exercise. Can't hurt! 

 

Bad news is, I feel some early signs in my other hand as well. Hopefully, I can avert another disaster there. 

 

Any further suggestions at this juncture are welcome.  

[Sheryl]

If you have nto already, get wrist splints and wear them on both hands at night, and also on the right (or dominant) hand when using keyboard or doing other motions that tax the wrist

 

You can find them in large drug stores, or lazada has them https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=wrist+splint&_keyori=ss&from=input&spm=a2o4m.home.search.go.1125719ccQM5CO

 

In my experience though you will end up having to have surgery on at least the dominant hand. The effects of the cortisone will wear off. Possibly you can avoid it in the other hand with early action (avoiding repetitive movements and use of night splint).

 

be sure yo uhave an ergonomic mouse with wrist pad.

[nevets81]

I have one for one wrist. I am not happy with it. I seem to have more irritation when I wake up. Got it under prescription from the hospital, but they only had large and I needed an extra large. Maybe that's the issue. I haven't had any luck finding one in stores around here, but I'll head into Rangsit area this weekend. On my last visit the doctor suggested going to the old market there. 

 

Do you have any suggestion on which style I should buy? The Lazada website has quite a few and I wonder if you have had luck with a brand/style they have there. 

 

[Sheryl]

20 hours ago, nevets81 said:

 

 

Do you have any suggestion on which style I should buy? The Lazada website has quite a few and I wonder if you have had luck with a brand/style they have there. 

 

 

Mine is this brand

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/futuro-reversible-splint-wrist-i102225043-s102454797.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.6.349622aewx91d8&search=1

 

I no longer need it for CTS as that was resolved with surgery more than 10 years ago but I am again using it at night because of elbow tendinitis (combined with an elbow brace, it helps prevent motions that strain that tendon). I can sleep with it on no problem, and I'm a easily bothered sleeper. But your mileage may vary.

[Nigel Garvie]

I had both Carpal Tunnels done in Scotland (Operations 20+ years apart) and the results were perfect, though one op was painful. I would not rush into an op on the other hand unless it is definitely needed. The standard success rate  I was told was 96%.  The genetic pre-disposition runs in my family, and only one out of many relatives has had any problems with the op.