Should I have Carpel Tunnel operation?

Hi Sharon I'm 5 weeks post op and I'm very happy with the result, healing has been pretty much straight forward and after the first week I was using my hand again (for very light tasks), everyone's healing is different but the people I've spoken to have all had positive results, but I have read on this forum some horror stories!

I am to get my left hand done soon and even though the symptoms are only slight in that hand I personally feel I'd rather not wait till it gets worse.

if you feel you can bare it then leave it but you're right, left to long and severe nerve damage can not be reversed. If you do decide to have it done if it's quiet at work maybe now is the best time to have it done?

Hi Sharon

there are lots of us out there who have had good outcomes. Remember it is the people who are struggling who may turn to this forum for advice.

yes I can't guarantee anything but Rena and Mark have both had positive experiences in the last couple of weeks. See if you can find their threads.

i had my right hand done in April and am delighted with the results and when my left gets bad I will go for the op. with no qualms.

good luck Elaine

Also to add to what Elaine mentioned about Rena, she has started a closed facebook page if you're on there it's called carpal tunnel surgery recovery, great group.

Yes, just remember that it's only if there's a problem people turn to these sort of forums!  If everything had been fine I certainly wouldn't have thought about writing about my experience.  According to my surgeon about 10% of people encounter difficulty.  The trouble is, that once the nerve is compressed, although you may be able to alleviate the symptons for a while, eventually you are going to need the surgery.  But if you feel your symptoms are not that bad at the moment then I would suggest you could defer it for a while.  You'll know when surgery seems the preferable option!  All the best.

The thought of surgery is worse than the actual surgery. Typically CTS gets worse for a while, then improves and changes between these two extremes. You have to trust your Dr is doing the right thing for your condition and not making money.

If you have had the nerve test, this shows actual nerve readings and you can rub your wrists with "Dr Judes Jungle Juice" and miraculously you may feel better for months.

Nobody can encourage a yes or no to having this operation, you must do what is right for you. But it is an operation done hundreds of times each day and the vast majority come out the other end saying phew, it's much better.

Forums are great for comparing your results with others, but unfortunately someone with a poor result is always more likely to complain than hundreds who have a positive result. Do not let a few days discomfort put you off an improvement for the rest of your life.

I think it's important to point out that those who've had bad experiences are not talking about a few days discomfort - they're talking about weeks and months of it.  But it is a minority.  And, I'm assured, that although it may take 6 months or even longer, it will eventually get better.  I have found the physio has definitely helped the pain.  The scar tissue is still hard but it is gradually breaking down - it just takes a long time.  I had my op on 22 Sept, so over 2 months ago, and even though I've been one of the unlucky ones, I don't regret having the operation.

I had surgery in july 2013 on both hands and still have the same symtoms tingle and numbness Ihave been talking with another doctor and he saw my nerve tests results and told me not to have another surgery and that the one I did have was not complete DON'T have the surgery were the splints and don't lift heavy items.  Baby yourself I wish I NEVER had my surgery.  God bless you.

Hi Sharon mine eased off after having time off work but came back quite quickly on my return it is uncomfortable and you cannot do much for a while I am 8 weeks post op and back at work alls well no pain tingling have it done it's really made my life so much better after a year of no sleep and pain going to have left hand done next year

As bad as the after op is.......and for me I didn't expect it to hurt so much afterwards ( still in pain 10 days after ) I would still recommend it because the pre op pain and tingling gets worse.

Hi, i had my right  hand operated on on the 23rd April and it still very painful, but i only had pin n needles for a month then it went to constant pain , the only time i no had pain is when my hand was numb for operation. I have regional pain syndrome in it at mo bit fed up. But my left hand getting worse so having that done soon. :-( i would try split first but carpel tunnel wears the muscel away in ur hand if u fong have it done.  Good luc take care 

 

Not sure I can advise but I can sympathise as I'm in a similar situation. I agree  Private Health Care can have disadvantages in that things can happen too quickly. 

I was told splints were for people on NHS waiting list! I disregarded this and have found them very helpful. However I have also been persuaded to have  both wrists injected with steroids. As well I have modified how I use my hands, not always easy though. Ten months after being told my condition was classed as severe, I'm finding things have improved immensely. Like you I worry about permanent damage so I regularly do the suggested tests to check things are not getting worse. The more I research surgery the more poor outcomes or failures I seem to find so would be great to hear of successes. 

Perhaps not too helpful, but a mite to the pile. Saw hand surgeon a week ago for severe CTS in right hand acc to ENMG that is. Had no real symptoms till I started worrying about it all in Dec. Surgeon said not to have the hand operated on till there are symptoms worth relieving. But he said the tingling/dryness in the fingertips ( incl pinkie so go figger) was evidence of sensory nerve damage that surgery wouldn't reverse. Thenar mass still there but some loss evident.

Summa summarum: damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Left hand has moderate CTS following injury last spring - no brainer medically. Odd that severe CTS in right hand & symptoms only found/occurring after ENMG to see what the prognosis for the left was. Have CPRS (complex regional pain syndrome - nerves going nuts aka manus buggerata) in the left hand so I can't tell if weakness and numbness are CTS or cprs.

Well I am now 29 days after surgery. The pins and needles and tingling have gone! I can now hold a pen and write, started driving after 2 and half weeks. I am gently lifting things such as kettle, light weight things to build up strength, have been food shopping but dont lift really heavy bags and use left hand mostly to take weight. I think my recovery is going really well. the feeling is back! So I can only give a positive response after being so nervous about it! Will give further update in another couple of weeks, am back to work full time this friday.

Further to the previous comment, from Richard, the nerves that have died at the ends dont come back, that is correct but what happens when you release the compressed nerves in the carpel tunnel is that other smaller nerves then connect,(your body is an amazing thing!) so they then take over! If you dont have the operation they are unable to do this. I now have full feeling again! Its great!