What happens if you DON'T treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

[@bferguson9277]

When I was diagnosed with Carpel Tunnel (work related injury moving heavy furniture), the neurology doctor simply told me to go to Walmart to buy wrist splints to wear. He wasn't specific about when to wear them or advising any therapies. I returned to work having worn the splints the night before and then also at work. I worked another week until it became unbearable. Went to my primary care provider, who issued a light duty letter for my employer. Because of the nature of my work, my employer has me on long term FMLA. I've waited four months for the next appointment to see if I need surgery. Hopefully, I can get the surgery soon. I wear compression stockings and it's impossible to put them on when I'm like this. Some days I can't even turn the car ignition key, lift an empty frying pan or twist the cap off a water bottle.

[@DeborahQuilter]

I'm so sorry to hear about all of this. I know how hard it can be when you can't use your hands properly. Did you get a second opinion about the surgery? Splint-wearing needs to be done judiciously and I'm sorry your doctor didn't give you specific advice about it. Check out these videos for more information: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYXRonaFi9Zmgsk and how carpal tunnel can be misdiagnosed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5Sxo4Kqqt-Sa9k. And one person's experience: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGesnK2Hl6yrjMU, Best wishes to you.

[@reg8297]

Did u get surgrry

[@bferguson9277]

@@reg8297 No, no surgery. By the time my next appointment rolled around, the doc said he thought I'd healed somewhat and that therapy would be a better alternative than getting "the snip". It took around 4-5 months to heal.

[@crissiehohen8380]

Steroid injection saved me having surgery

[@reg8297]

How r u now im same

[@raenahonan2003]

My surgeries took minutes and I could drive home....not back 100% but functional. Most pain was the nerve test and injections to numb hands and the massive delays in getting appts.

[@DeborahQuilter]

People need to be seen right away. I'm sorry you had to wait, but happy that your surgery helped you.

[@sweetjasmin2366]

Hi i got cts surgery two weeks ago but i still feel the numbness and tingling on my fingers 🥲

[@DeborahQuilter]

@sweetjasmin2366 Unfortunately, sometimes doctors don't properly diagnose the true reason for numbness and tingling. It can start in the neck, and carpal tunnel surgery will not help that. I hope this hasn't happened to you. See this man's experience: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGesnK2Hl6yrjMU

[@jab1525]

My fingers went numb in January this year. In February I showed my husband the muscle under my thumb was flat. Neither of us knew what that meant. I went to my family doctor in March and told her about how my fingers were numb but they also throbbed and burned and showed her the flat muscle under my thumb. She flat out told me I did not have carpel tunnel and to get a splint and use it at night for 8 weeks and see if it helps. Well it did not help obviously. Went back to her in May then she sent me to a hand/ wrist doctor and they immediately told me my hand was screaming carpel tunnel. That was June 3rd. They sent me for an EMG and the soonest I could get that was July 23rd. I failed the EMG big time! He said I had severe severe carpel tunnel syndrome. My fine motor skills were almost completely gone. My nerve was being crushed. And I may have permanent nerve damage and I needed surgery ASAP. Well I got my surgery on September 5th. So I’m almost 3 weeks post op now. My fingers are still numb and he told me it could take a while for the numbness to go away and it may not completely go away either. But my fingers do feel better than they did before surgery. Before surgery I always had to keep my hand in a fist with my thumb inside the fist to relieve the burning and throbbing. Now I don’t need to do that. Hoping for a good outcome in a few months time. I feel like if my doctor would have known what it was back in March I could have gotten treatment earlier.

[@DeborahQuilter]

I am so sorry to hear all of this. Unfortunately, most doctors get very little training in the upper extremity in medical school - even though it's a leading cause of occupational disability. I wish your doctor had been able to help you sooner. I am doing everything I can to educate people, including a playlist on my channel that specifically geared toward "What Doctors Need to Know." I also started a petition to end RSI so that the government will at the very least initiate a massive public education campaign. The link is here:chng.it/9nCFgFMGt9. Please read, sign and tell your friends to do that, too. Thanks.

[@DeborahQuilter]

📌Also see what can happen if you have unnecessary surgery: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGesnK2Hl6yrjMU

[@OttawaNow]

My numbness is only in the ring and pinky. What does that mean? And the numbness runs down to my elbow. I punch someone in the face 30 years ago when I was 15, and broke my ring finger. The numbness was very light back then. It recently got really bad.

[@DeborahQuilter]

You need to see your doctor for a diagnosis, but here are two videos that explain various reasons for numbness and tingling on the ring and pinky finger: kzbin.infor_BYfHzpERI and kzbin.info54Q3qKJaFGI

[@OttawaNow]

@@DeborahQuilter Mine might actually be cubical tunnel syndrome.

[@DeborahQuilter]

Get it checked out and see if you can get some physical therapy to help you. Good luck!

[@stephenstuckey]

I was diagnosed with CTS but have no pain or numbness in my hand, wrist or fingers. All the sensation is located in my arms, the crook of my arms and around the elbow and forearm. Almost everyday my bicep atrophies and gets smaller. What is going on here? Tingling, stabbing, tightness like a sock or glove around my arm. Zapping sensations, feeling cold in that area. And atrophy.

[@DeborahQuilter]

Dear Stephen, I'm very sorry to hear about this. I am not a physician so I cannot tell you what's going on, but I do have some questions for you: How did your doctor arrive at this diagnosis?Did you have an EMG? Did your doctor look at your posture or ask you how you use your hands all day? I urge you to get a second opinion from a competent physician as soon as possible. Those sensations - and atrophy - can be attributed to many other problems, and it's important that you have a proper diagnosis and the right treatment. Also, beware of rushing into any kind of surgery. Read what happened to one man who had Carpal Tunnel release surgery when he didn't have carpal tunnel syndrome: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGesnK2Hl6yrjMU and common misdiagnoses for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5Sxo4Kqqt-Sa9k And for an excellent overview of how to get a proper diagnosis for RSI, please see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJS8nZejdqyJeJI. This will tell you whether your doctor is doing a thorough examination or not, and explain much about various injuries to the upper extremity your doctor should be aware of. Best wishes to you, Deborah

[@stephenstuckey]

Thank you for responding, I didn't expect you anyone to. I had an ultrasound done and bloodwork. The bloodwork came back completely fine. And all the ultrasound showed carpal tunnel, apparently. I wasn't even thinking CTS tbh, because most of the affected area are my arms. It does shoot down to my hand and wrist but no real numbnes in fingers....at all. I thought about cubital(ulnar) but the ultrasound didnt show anything. I really need an MRI i believe.....but im not even sure. And no EMG has been or nerve conduction test. Its hard to find a good doc, most just want you in and out, with no real care. So i feel im in a tricky situation. I appreciate you responding, thanks so much!

[@DeborahQuilter]

I am so sorry to hear all this, Stephen, but unfortunately it's a very familiar story. The most common question I get is "What doctor should I see?" Expert, qualified doctors in this field are rare. But many of them can perform clinical, hands-on tests that don't require fancy machinery, yet tell them quite a bit about what's going on right there in the office. Meantime, keep looking for someone who understands the upper extremity. Consider seeing an osteopath, physiatrist or occupational medicine specialist. And be your own best friend by stopping any offending activity, even if it means taking time off work.

[@cuteandfluffypikachu3405]

I started getting like electric shock pain in my hand that traveled down my arm a few months ago then then the pain got worse the worst aching pain it feels like a bruise in my hand along with numbness and tingling I was diagnosed with CTS by my dr today I’ve got to wear a splint for a few months 😭😭😭

[@DeborahQuilter]

I am very sorry to hear this. Did your doctor recommend the splints at night only? Please see what can happen if you use splints inappropriately: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYXRonaFi9Zmgsk and kzbin.infokr1jqUYI27s

[@reg8297]

My hands r n so much pain now i dont know what to do stabbing shooting pain bad my wtists now its hard to open stuff take change out of my purse exerises no use and splints are now impossible to wear at night what do i do.im on a waitin list to be seen i dont have it on ring finger also falls asleep

[@DeborahQuilter]

I am so sorry to hear all of this. And I am sorrier that your not alone - so many people suffer terrible pain before they are seen. I hope you get to see your doctor soon but in the meantime, try to avoid activities that make everything worse. Best wishes to you. I hope you find a wonderful doctor and physical therapist.

[@DrHenryDimaano]

This is what happens with chronic compressive median neuropathy from unreleased carpal tunnel syndrome... Wag nyong paaabutin sa ganito ang CTS ninyo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4rZi5Kensaem9Esi=3whNxOwIsKdXuhay This is my dad. He did not consult me for his left hand symptoms for 5 years. I still did a carpal tunnel release surgery after EMG-NCV confirmed the median nerve compromise as the cause of this muscle atrophy. But unfortunately, 5 years of median nerve compression lead to irreversible damage. He benefitted very little from the late carpal tunnel decompression.

[@DeborahQuilter]

Dear Dr. Dimaano, I am so sorry about your father's hand. It's unfortunate that he did not consult with you or before that happened. It is so unfortunate that symptoms aren't caught early so they can be treated non-surgically - and that people are not educated about proper use of the hand in cases where carpal tunnel syndrome is brought on by poor technique. Thank you for sharing your experience. best regards, Deborah

[@tonidantonio9877]

When gardening try not to pull weeds. Use a tool to help you. Go to a hand clinic person and try natural remedies first like a splint. Thank you. ….

[@DeborahQuilter]

Thanks for pointing out that activities like gardening can be problematic if you have a hand injury. Nighttime splints can be helpful but it's good to have a doctor’s guidance. And splints should generally not be worn while working with your hands. That can make matters worse. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYXRonaFi9Zmgsk

[@tonidantonio9877]

@ thank you, I wear as proper made hand splint at night as I have a trigger finger. It has improved. I won’t go down the steroids path. Am trying this first. During the day I do some exercises and the massaging on the trigger finger also helps. Thank you for your feedback..it’s a great forum to exchange ideas. 🙏

[@DeborahQuilter]

It sounds like you're doing a lot of good things for yourself! And I'm so happy that you found this channel! It is a good forum for people to exchange ideas.

[@tonidantonio9877]

@ I want to keep doing my crocheting and other hobbies so I need to. 😊

[@natalielefebvre1628]

So far show different moove . Now dont do this moove . More confuse as ever

[@DeborahQuilter]

I understand your confusion. Sometimes surgery is necessary and sometimes it isn't. Unfortunately, I have heard of many people having carpal tunnel surgery when they didn't have carpal tunnel syndrome. So it's important to get a second opinion from a good surgeon. This isn't a case where there's a cookie-cutter answer. You need to make a careful decision with the guidance from an experienced, reputable surgeon.