Carpel Tunnel Surgery

[SteveLynch]

Hi all

Was wondering if anybody here has undergone this surgery in Thailand

I haven't been to see a doctor but my symptoms seem to line up correctly

If you have how long was the recovery period ,I have spoken to some work friends and their expierences have been from 3 weeks to 15 weeks before they were able to return to work

Thank you

Steve

[meatboy]

having worked down the coal mines for 20years i had c.t.s. or r.s.i.and vwf,this was caused by hydrolic hand picks,excesive typing also causes it,i was put on ibuprofen 500ml after about 8years it went,but i still have the vwf.vibration white finger but since i have lived in thailand it doesnt bother me at all.i would think sheryl will give you the best advice.what was your line of work and if it was the cause of you getting cts you can make a claim for compensation,i got £22,000.

[Riley'sLife]

Since lifting very heavy sandbags by their corners – the only place I could get a grip on them as they were very wet- last year, I have suffered with problems which have gradually eased. I haven’t had surgery but have had extensive physio which began with wax hot dips. I originally had “trigger fingers” but now only have this on my middle finger on each hand and can certainly live with it. In fact, I hardly notice it - maybe just got used to it.

To be considering surgery without first seeking medical advice, preferably from a specialist, would seem premature, as physiotherapy may well help and should be your first step.

Whatever you decide, hope all goes well for you.

[SteveLynch]

Hey mate I work on oil rigs

It's mostly my left hand which is weird as I'm right handed but it's affected too

I can actually do my job but I really suffer doing simple things

Ie resting my head in my hands whist reading lying in bed

Writing more than a few sentences

Riding my motor bike for more than 20 minutes ( pin n needles all up my arms )

It's quite painful when I go to bed but seems to go after a good nights sleep

[McMagus]

I had progressive numbness in my fingers and thumb in my L hand for quite some time and also pain. My R hand was not so good either. I went to BNH in Silom and had all the tests...18 000 B worth and was diagnosed with severe CTS in my L hand and moderate in my R. They suggested surgery for the L as I had had it for a long time. Their quote was around 40 000 B. Hmmmm. My other half said to go home to Khon Kaen (close to the farm) and go to Srinakarin public hospital. I was a bit anxious as to the quality of surgery I would receive but off we went. Srinakarin is not Bumrungrad, nor is it BNH, no flash decor etc. etc. and longer waiting times, mine was 2 weeks. Although I can speak some Thai, it would have been difficult without a Thai with me. To cut a long story short, I had the surgery there, it was open surgery, not keyhole. Local anaesthetic, never felt a thing, the surgeon was the professor of surgery at KK uni and spoke perfect English. Here is the good part. ... 40 000 B at BNH and 3500 B at Srinakarin. I am about 2 months post surgery, all the pain and numbness has gone and I am starting to play the guitar and piano again. I have a torn rotator cuff in my R shoulder and will most likely need surgery... guess where I will be going? I cannot lift heavy weights yet and need to take care but computer work etc is a breeze. Hope this helped.

[lanny]

I had CTS about 20 years ago - too much time at the computer, even then! Went to the doctor in the states before it got too bad. He said that surgery was the last resort. His first suggestion was a brace - wear it whenever I was not working on the computer. The brace kept my hand as a slight angle to my arm and was not uncomfortable. Don't remember how long I wore the brace but it did the trick. Never did have surgery, bought a MicroSoft ergonomic keyboard, and the problem eventually went away!

Clearly, there are alternate therapies that should be tried before surgery. They won't work in all cases but should be considered first!

[Sheryl]

I had the surgery done here, Dr. Panupan at Phyathai. Top hand specialist.

Not more than a week downtime if even that in my case, but of course it would depend on what your work involves.You won't be able to do anything strenuous with the wrist for a while.

Brace does help with symptomatic relief (though in my case I ultimately did need the surgery) and will also be helpful post operatively to minimize strain on the wrist.

note that you don't actually know you have CTS, could be a different problem. Some of what you say seems unusual for CTS. Anyway, a consultation with a hand specialist is first step. If it is CTS then at that point you can get specifics about what you can & can't do during the recuperative period and for how long.

[SteveLynch]

Thank you for the replys

I have booked a session in bkk hospital for next week

Will keep you all informed of the progress

Kind regards

Steve