Carpal tunnel syndrome - surgery or something else?

[ScaryM0nster]

Looking for other peoples experiences to help with some wider context on deciding next steps.

Have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. Numbness rather than pain. If I keep wrists straight it’s fine, but any bending back at all and it’s like a timer starts a countdown to the tingling starting.

Nerve conduction tests have confirmed its carpal tunnel, and have been offered surgery. Info on success rates and recovery time / limitations seem really mixed.

Anyone found any other effective solutions, had good experience with surgery, not so good, can share what their trickery was like. Thoughts on both at once or one at a time. Tips to successful recovery.

I’m learning to live with intermittent numbness, so loss of used for weeks while recovering feels potential worse than staying as am. Equally would be nice to be able to put hands out to lean on things again.

I was concerned about surgery risks so have been put on amitryptiline. Works well for nerve issues. Have you had folate and b12 tested? Even a mild b12 deficiency can cause worsening of nerve issues.

DH had various treatments. The only one that worked was the surgery. He still has some numbness a year on. It's not a dangerous op. He was in and out inside an hour. That included waiting time.

Had both hands operated on, local anesthetic, after a week using hands fine, on each occasion. Barely see the scars, done about 20 years ago, a real game changer as I had pain that had started to radiate up the arms and would be very numb on waking in the morning.

I have been recommended to have steroid injections. Waiting to see the GP currently as cannot get the injections privately. Right now I would do anything.

That’s what I was expecting - for some reason it’s jumped straight to surgery (with no consultant appointment in between).

I’d have said the same, until I got the patient info letter.

How long between surgery and back to normal hand use again?

No, neither. That’s interesting. I’ll look into that.

It was pretty good after a few days. But he was severely warned not to be stupid about it. Apparently women are more sensible post surgery.

Surgeon offered to do the other one while he was in there but he didn't fancy that so is on list for second one.

I had bad carpal tunnel in both hands and after several different treatments, including steroid injections, I had surgery on my right hand. It was the best thing I ever did. It took about a week until I could use it again and a bit longer until it was back to normal. Weirdly, after surgery on my right, the left hand was loads better which can happen apparently. I didn’t have surgery on my left. Many years on, it’s still totally fine.

Thank you so much for sharing.

I’m wondering if the steroid injections often dont help which is why they’re jumping straight to surgery. Also reinforces the one hand at a time idea!

Same here!

Ive got this - been wearing wrist splints on both hands for about a year which helps and keep some in the car as long journeys affect it.

About 3 months ago my left hand started to get worse during the day so wore the splint on and off as required.

then left hand started to get really painful and felt as if it was burning so contacted GP to ask if steroid injection might help. Had it 2 weeks ago and all good now.

still an occasional tingle but much better so far.

Had steroid injections not much improvement after the first but so much better on both hands when I had the second one done.

Surgery is done under local anaesthetic. Mine took about 10-15 minutes. Off work until stitches removed - as need to handwash constantly. Totally transformed. I had been waking in the middle of the night with pain and numbness for a few months.

Tried splints at night. Didn’t work. Saw Nurse Practitioner who said there was nothing they could do and don’t bother coming back.

I was diagnosed many years with it but didn't like the sound of the steroid injections which the doctor was heavily pushing nor the surgery recommended by the consultant, so I asked for other options. The consultant suggested wrist splints - couldn't guarantee they'd help but said it was all he could think of if I refused steroid injections and surgery. So, I gave them a try, and they worked! Obviously can't wear them 24-7 but I wore them as much as I could and within a few weeks, there was a clear difference, and after about 3 months, I hardly had any pain at all, so stopped wearing them. The pain started to come back a couple of years later, so I started wearing them again as soon as I noticed the pain becoming more regular (before it got extreme) and it was "cured" within a few weeks. Rinse and repeat every few years ever since. Not always both wrists - sometimes it's one, sometimes the other, which makes wearing the wrist splints easier.

I wish that had worked.

Wore splints a lot, and while they do help it’s only until Theyre off.

A long shot as it might not be relevant to the OP but a relative was told by a medic that HRT would help.

I had a steroid injection in my left wrist today. Was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Now waiting for the right one to be done. Am going to see what happens in the next few weeks.

I’ve had a lot of injections, some have lasted longer than others. Had surgery on my left hand which at the time was the worst. Still a bit of tingling but nowhere as bad as it was, I used to wake up in pain. Right hand is worsening a bit now, will probably have injections before considering surgery again.

I had surgery on both wrists about 10 years ago. Local anaesthetic, really quick and easy. No more pins and needles or numbness to this day. I was recommended surgery as I was showing signs of muscle loss at the base of each thumb. I’m so glad I had it done..

Had surgery on right hand about 10 years ago. No issues, tingling and pain stopped right away. Done with local anaesthetic. What I hadn’t expected was during surgery I had sensation like elastic bands breaking, no pain, just unexpected and very strange. Had tried splints and hanging my hand out the bed to sleep but only helped a bit. Recovery was quick, back working 3 days later, driving when stitches were out. Wouldn’t hesitate if other one needs doing in future.

Had surgery on dominant hand last summer and other hand in January. 2 weeks with stitches and not allowed to drive. Cannot get it wet whilst have stitches. Personal care is interesting when it's your dominant hand! 4 weeks off work. Preparing food is difficult due to where the incision is and holding a knife etc. Long term effects well worth short term inconvenience.

I also wasnt offered injections due to severity. Im not sure they would offer tondo both at same time as you'd have no hands to use for anything!

I was offered to do both at the same time.. I said no but I suppose it might work for some..