1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Carpal Tunnel

Is one of your symptoms dropping things?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Ram2645
Ram2645

I've had carpal tunnel in both wrists for years (as confirmed by nerve conductivity tests) and the most disturbing symptom for me is very frequently dropping things.  They can be light things (like paper) or things with a little weight (like keys, fork) and they can just slip out of my fingers....not enough sensitivity in the finger tips to sense how hard I am gripping.  I have other usual symptoms like pins and needles and hands feeling swollen.  Hands fall asleep when raised so have not held a hard cover book (used pocket books and now light ereader) or a telephone receiver (use telephone earphones) in years.  Do any of you find that you drop things alot more frequently? 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • elaine02726
    elaine02726 Ram2645

    Posted

    Hi Rena

    i have had a very successful release op. on my right wrist and am free of the pain and pins and needles but still drop things. Like you I find it is little things fortunately. Maybe I am more careful when carrying a tray of food for example.

    i have started supporting a cup or glass with the little finger of my other hand just placed underneath it.

    have you been offered the op.?

    Regards Elaine 

    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 elaine02726

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Elaine.  smile    I have a date of Nov. 7th for my left hand (the worst one).  How long ago was your surgery? How was your recovery?
    • elaine02726
      elaine02726 Ram2645

      Posted

      I had it done on 9th April and went to the Middle East for 3 weeks on the 19th.

      i pestered the hospital physics for advice from day 1. You have to be careful not to overuse your hand at first but once the stitches are out start rubbing cream into the wound and start exercising. There are some good exercises on the web.

      the nerve endings take a while to relearn there role and touching the wound with cotton wool, soft toothbrush, rough towel teaches them to settle down. It goes through you to do it but is worth it. There are odd pains that have no rhyme nor reason but they settle in time. I am delighted with the outcome.

      good luck

      Regards Elaine

    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 elaine02726

      Posted

      Thanks so much.  That is wonderful to hear.  There are so many  negative stories out there that it does give pause.  But I understand completely the need to be proactive in the recovery and will follow you example..  smile
  • CountessNina
    CountessNina Ram2645

    Posted

    I was searching for information regarding dropping things frequently and came upon this site.  I had the carpal tunnel release in each wrist almost two years ago.  I'm in the USA, and the surgery mentioned here sounds a bit different. There is just one tiny incision and one stitch which remains in place for up to two weeks.  There is no visible scar. The results were excellent.  Immediate relief from the pain, numbness, etc.  I had been told before the surgery that I did have nerve damage and should not wait to have it done.  

    After reading the posts here, I think the nerve damage might be the problem. What concerns me most is that it seems to be increasing.  Not a day goes by that I don't drop a few little things.  And as others have said, not the big heavy things.

    I appreciate the information I found here.

    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 CountessNina

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Nina.  It's encouraging to hear your surgery was successful and you had such a good recovery. With such a tiny incision it sounds like you had minimally invasive surgery. I asked if my surgeon used that method.....unfortunately not.  I spoke with the office of another hand plastic surgeon I was once treated by and again no go.  Both do the regular  open surgery.  I am continuing my search for a surgeon who does minimally invasive....still have a while to go until my November 7th date. I will be particularly curious to see if the surgery helps the dropping things....frankly...no one seems to be able to tell me definitively....not the neurologist, nor the surgeon , nor my GP.  It's kind of a "we'll have to wait and see" type answer.  sad

       

    • CountessNina
      CountessNina Ram2645

      Posted

      Where are you?  Dare I think Toronto?  Endoscopic surgery for carpel tunnel release is the standard here in Seattle.  

       

  • CountessNina
    CountessNina Ram2645

    Posted

    Where are you?  Dare I think Toronto?  Endoscopic surgery for carpel tunnel release is the standard here in Seattle.  
    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 CountessNina

      Posted

      Yes.  Isn't it interesting?  Both surgeons I spoke with operate only in hospitals and where I'm getting it done is one of the largest in the country and the surgeon is the head of the plastic surgery/hand department.  I guess they haven't yet adopted endoscopic surgery for the hand.  sad
  • CountessNina
    CountessNina Ram2645

    Posted

    Hi Rena,

    If I were in your situation, I would not consider the big surgery at all when there is such a good alternative.  People go up to 6 weeks without full use of the hand while healing from the big incision, etc.  The endoscopic surgery take 15 minutes!  The surgeon asked that I return in 2 weeks for the post op visit and to take the stitch out myself if I wanted.  One of mine kind of started to fall out so I finished the job.  I could do everything within a few days although I was cautioned to be careful for a week anyway.  I can't imagine going through a larger surgery that isn't necessary.  

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.