Recommended to operate CTS during pregnancy - would you?

[waddleslikeapenguin]

Hi Ladies
Sorry for the long-ish post but I need your help! I'm currently 27+5 pregnant with my first and suffering with carpal tunnel syndrome pretty bad - I haven't felt the fingers on my right hand since sometime in week 25 (originating from pins and needles, to complete numbness, to now also aching quite a bit, 24/7). The neurologist I saw last week said "Operate!" and the automatic reaction from my friends, family, colleagues, and myself went something along the lines of "What? No!"

As I happened to have an appointment with my trusted osteopath about something unrelated the day after, I asked him for a second opinion, and he explained it a bit better and said I shouldn't rule out the operation. If the nerves are blocked for too long then there's a chance they might not regain full function ever. (Timewise I'm a borderline case he thought.) Apparently it's only a very minor operation with local anaesthetic, and better to have my hand working again by the time babba comes along (esp. if it turns out I would need to operate anyways should it not go away). And yup, I'm right-handed!

I have the sexy boxing-glove braces to wear at night. It's only been five nights but I haven't noticed diddly-squat of a difference, it's still getting noticeably worse if anything and I still have three months to go till due. I also work full time at a computer. I've moved my mouse to the left side - which is exercising the grey matter in my brain if nothing else!!!!

Has anyone experienced pregnancy-related CTS this early on (amounting to potentially 6-7 months in total)? How bad can it get? Has anyone had it not go away afterwards, or take a really long time to go away afterwards? Has anyone been advised to operate during pregnancy, and did they?

The caveat: I live in Switzerland, so top-quality patient care and no NHS waiting lists, but one can't help but wonder if the motivation to operate is more beneficial to the surgeon's coffers than to my nerve endings! But I did get that independent second opinion... and technically the neurologist is independent to the surgeon too.... hmmmmm... I.just.don't.know.what.to.do!!!! But I have to decide soon due to recovery time vs. due date. Arg!

I'd be truly most grateful for any input, opinions or experiences ladies as I'm completely torn and I need to make my mind up in the next week or so!

Only one broken one plate so far, at least...

I'd get it done now.

I injured my hand when DD was about 5 months old and ended up with stitches and not being able to hold a squirming baby safely or change nappies. I ended up back at mum's for a week, because DH had no holiday left. It was very awkward and annoying.

The research and evidence on CTS is pretty robust to be honest. I'd go with the surgeon and avoid having a lifetime of pins/needles/numbness/weakness.

( PS They would operate in the NHS if there was any muscle wasting on the palm of your hand or signs of nerve damage on nerve conduction studies)

If it's under local anaesthetic then it shouldn't do the baby any harm!

Super, thank you ladies! The gynaecologist is going to call me back tomorrow so I can ask her if she's had any other patients had it done and how they got on (she's the one that sent me to the neurologist in the first place)! And in the meantime I had a chat to a lady at work who had non-pregnancy related CTS surgery done in both hands and said it was fine. The neurologist did all the conduction tests so it's not the diagnosis I have a question mark about, just whether surgery is really necessary for something that I thought would go away after pregnancy of its own accord. I guess I was a bit scared to learn that I might be stuck like this for ever if I ignore it too long. I'll keep yous posted.

I know this is extremely old but curious to know what you did in the end, if you went for the surgery whilst pregnant? I’m facing the same situation and will be 24 weeks when they want to operate and am worrying! Just wondered what your outcome was,