Anyone had the procedure for Carpal Tunnel?

[giddyup]

I'm pretty sure that's what I've developed recently going by the symptoms. Chronic pain in left hand, especially around the base of the thumb, which makes grasping anything very painful. I have tried some basic hand exercises but the condition isn't improving. I believe the procedure can be done with only a local anaesthetic and involves a small incision to relieve the pressure.

Appreciate any first hand (excuse the pun) accounts.

[Sheryl]

Many people have had this done in Thailand  including me (though not sure from your description that what you have is CTS). You should see a hand specialist.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

 

[giddyup]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Many people have had this done in Thailand  including me (though not sure from your description that what you have is CTS). You should see a hand specialist.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

 

Pattaya. Can you tell me why you think it might not be CTS?

[HAPPYNUFF]

My (now deceased local doctor) explained to me, Carpal Tunnel is the inflammation of  the actual nerves in the wrist.  I have  had it  in each wrist.  The procedure is simple,  an injection of  cortisone direct into the  nerve, usually under local x ray, so the needle  can  find the exact nerve....     I also had a recurrence in one wrist,  but  my doctor diagnosed that as St Quirins (not sure of actual spelling)  which is different i n that it is inflammation of the nerve sheath, and not the actual nerve.   Same treatment, but injection, again under local X ray, into the sheath, not the nerve.      Repetitive movements of the wrist   cause both conditions.    I was at the time doing a lot of carpentry work, using hand tools  every hour.   And no,   masturbation is not a cause my doctor assured me.

[giddyup]

31 minutes ago, HAPPYNUFF said:

My (now deceased local doctor) explained to me, Carpal Tunnel is the inflammation of  the actual nerves in the wrist.  I have  had it  in each wrist.  The procedure is simple,  an injection of  cortisone direct into the  nerve, usually under local x ray, so the needle  can  find the exact nerve....     I also had a recurrence in one wrist,  but  my doctor diagnosed that as St Quirins (not sure of actual spelling)  which is different i n that it is inflammation of the nerve sheath, and not the actual nerve.   Same treatment, but injection, again under local X ray, into the sheath, not the nerve.      Repetitive movements of the wrist   cause both conditions.    I was at the time doing a lot of carpentry work, using hand tools  every hour.   And no,   masturbation is not a cause my doctor assured me.

Funny thing is I haven't been doing anything repetitive with my left hand. Right hand is predominant hand and used mostly for typing, mouse etc. The pain just appeared out of the blue, no gradual progression, one day not there, next day there.

[Sheryl]

14 hours ago, giddyup said:

Pattaya. Can you tell me why you think it might not be CTS?

 

CTS would more often present with numbness and tingling and would also usually involve more than just the thumb. Also, more common on the dominant hand.

 

Might instead be arthritis or tendonitis.

 

regardless you need top see a hand specialist. My first recommendation is always Prof. Panupan Songcharoen in Bangkok    https://phyathai2international.com/doctor.php?pid=148&lang=en

 

But with COVID, if it is too difficult to travel to Bangkok. If so there is a hand specialist at BPH though I have no feedback on him either way/ https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=176&depid=22

 

[giddyup]

10 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

CTS would more often present with numbness and tingling and would also usually involve more than just the thumb. Also, more common on the dominant hand.

 

Might instead be arthritis or tendonitis.

 

regardless you need top see a hand specialist. My first recommendation is always Prof. Panupan Songcharoen in Bangkok    https://phyathai2international.com/doctor.php?pid=148&lang=en

 

But with COVID, if it is too difficult to travel to Bangkok. If so there is a hand specialist at BPH though I have no feedback on him either way/ https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=176&depid=22

 

Thankyou.

[IvorBiggun2]

An operation is not going to cure your problem definitely. I had CPT both hands. Operation never worked for either hand so the surgeon tried again on one hand. That too never worked so he didn't bother doing the other hand a second time. I took early retirement based on that and having had my scaphoid bone removed and wrist pinned. 

I worked with Pneumatic tools

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by IvorBiggun2

[giddyup]

24 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

An operation is not going to cure your problem definitely. I had CPT both hands. Operation never worked for either hand so the surgeon tried again on one hand. That too never worked so he didn't bother doing the other hand a second time. I took early retirement based on that and having had my scaphoid bone removed and wrist pinned. 

I worked with Pneumatic tools

 

I think a cortisone injection might be in order. Will wait until I get my second Pfizer jab before I see a doctor.

[IvorBiggun2]

23 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I think a cortisone injection might be in order.

Good luck with that.

 

Quote

But steroid shots will improve symptoms for only about six months in people over 35 who have moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome

 

[giddyup]

26 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Good luck with that.

 

 

Better six months pain free than nothing.

[IvorBiggun2]

31 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Better six months pain free than nothing.

Up to you. Good luck.

[internationalism]

physiotherapy, they will also teach you exercises.

if not good enough, doctors

[bbko]

I had symptoms similar to the OP which turned out to be "de Quervain's tenosynovitis",  when I was working in warehouse doing a lot of repetitive work I developed left wrist pain/stiffness esp at the base of the thumb, pain increased with movement.  I tried to take care of it myself and bought a wrist splint but after a couple of months and no improvement I made a appointment to see a orthopedist. The doc checked me out and after doing the "Finkelstein Test" he said it's de Quervain's tenosynovitis and I was using the wrong splint, I should have tried a thumb spica splint.  IIRC he gave me two shots, one a steroid shot right into the tendon on my wrist near my thumb, and one with Xylocaine to numb the area.  I was feeling better that same morning, he also said if the pain comes back then I would need the outpatient surgery.  Luckily it didn't come back. 

 

 

Edited September 2, 2021 by bbko

[bbko]

On 8/31/2021 at 8:07 AM, HAPPYNUFF said:

but  my doctor diagnosed that as St Quirins (not sure of actual spelling)

Sounds like  de Quervain's tenosynovitis