Topic: Has anyone by chance had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery before? (Read 9691 times)

RedwoodsMama · « **on:** March 28, 2013, 12:16:56 PM »

As most of you know, I have been "accident prone" since right before Christmas, with both a dislocated and fractured big toe and then in January I fell on ice and severely fractured my wrist in two places. Luckily not a third fracture. ( knocks on wood, ouch.. wrong hand...)

Anyway, I have fractures that just are not healing...I saw two drs. no make that three drs this week so far. My foot is not healing and it has been 3 months plus, but the dr. said it was such a severe fracture and dislocation that is why. He wants to put off fixing my foot till after my wrist surgery, since that is more important and my wrist is going to take longer to do, he can do my foot at any point..

My Ortho dr. I saw Monday and he is concerened because the numbness and tingling I have had for the whole time, even while in the cast, had not gotten any better and is constant. He ordered a Nerve Conduction study and I am waiting for the phone call for my apt, and then he said I am to call them stat so when he gets the results he can set up surgery. My wrist is definitely not normal in appearance or the way it feels, It feels like a pinched nerve on top of the wrist, hand, and the constant tingling, numbness makes it harder to hold onto things and my grip is weaker and forget about range of motion...

I have done a little research on Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and on the nerve conduction test, but when I saw a youtube video of needles being put into the hand, muscles and then the person being SHOCKED so the muscles could be measured, I had to turn it off. also to add to this my blood pressure has gotten a lot higher, I am sure from stress. ( it was 155/120 and 165/93 on Monday at the orthos, and then yesterday I saw a dr. for blood pressure and she put me on some new meds because it was still elevated...........stress of course. ) I am at risk for stroke, kidney disease and heart failure she said if my blood pressure continues, so this just is another thing to add to all this stress..

Has anyone had a nerve conduction test or this surgery before? It would help to know, Otherwise I can allways go the route of Southern Comfort to Numb myself............

Just a little humor...........I appreciate any thoughts or feedback...

RWM

PleoAibo29 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2013, 05:52:59 AM »

Erm... I actually havn't had surgery before... but I can help you think about ways to recover from your stress. :/

Think about it this way, the medicine is supposed to LOWER your stress, so don't be stressed about it! It's not painfull to talke medicine eather, so try to get it into your routine.

As for the test, that video was probably made to freak people out. Doctors are so gentle, you probably won't know what's happening to you.

Well wishes.
PleoAibo

Midorime · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2013, 10:06:05 AM »

My dad has had it twice. After having surgery on his elbow, part of his hand went numb (his thumb and index finger), and they swore up and down it was carpal tunnel, which no one in my family has ever had. They did a surgery and it didn't work, then had to do it again to fix what they did because there was too much scar tissue. The real issue, and I knew what it was, was the fact when they did his elbow to fix a torn tendon, they made the muscle too tight around the radial nerve, which irritates the never and causes it to go numb.

What fingers of yours are tingling/going numb? You can sorta tell this way: radial nerve is your thumb and index finger and some of your middle as well as the back of the hand, median nerve is sorta the same as the radial but on your palm, and the ulnar your other part of your ring and your pinky and side of your hand. (Generally speaking; I know it's more complex, but I tried to somewhat put it general area.)

This probably explains it better: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-nerves-of-the-hand.htm

Anyway, I thought I'd come reply here due to my dad's surgeries as well as the fact we have been studying the nerves in class, (and also no, dad's numbness never went away fully because they refuse to fix what they did to his elbow, that's what you get with worker's comp surgeons), but yes, he had the nerve conduction. It's actually not too bad. My dad said it wasn't painful at all. You probably would just feel a tingle at best, like the numb pins and needles feel. Everyone is different though, but I'm just sharing his experience.

What I'm thinking is that when they tried to fix your wrist, they may have something too tight around a nerve. Try bringing that up to your doctor, read up in the nerves of the hand and the regions they control. Mark on your hand all the places you feel numb and then deduct from that which nerve is being irritated so you can tell your doctor.

I also wanted to add that I am not fully sure had Nerve Conduction tests are done, but I am wondering if it has to do with voltage gated channels. For a neuron to shoot a nerve impulse, it must reach threshold of about -55mV, and typically at resting point, a neuron is at -70mV. I'm guessing they add a slight positive charge to the neuron to help it reach a lower charge so the impulse is sent and then they gauge it from there. Sorry if that's too technical, but we just learned this and I like to share what I have learned.

I can't seem to find anything to back that up, though, so it's somewhat a guess.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2013, 12:39:04 PM »

Midorne, thanks so much for the wonderful info.

I do hope your dads knee replacement surgery went fine and he will feel better soon. The fact that he had what sounds like Carpel Tunnel Syndrome surgery twice and is still having problems is not encouraging in my case. I appreciate all the nerve information. ARe you in a med class, or some biology class? Perhaps if I give you my symptoms you can help me with what you think, from what you have learned.

   My numbness started from the day I fractured my wrist, It was called a Intrarticular comminuated fracture of the Radius and an Intrarticular fracture of the Ulnar with Avulsion of the Styloid. Basically it is one of the most severe type of fractures of the wrist, often called a Colles Fracture, and myne is not healing properly. It was reduced or what is called a Closed Fracture in the Emergency Room, and this was on January 14th of this year.

   My cast came off on March 4th, and I last saw the dr. (Ortthopedic surgeon ) on this past Monday. I am waiting for the nerve conduction test and then surgery .The numbness is constant and affects part of the top of my thumb, THe top half of my pointer, 2/3rds or most of my index finger, and the top part of my ring finger and none or very very little of the pinky. I also feel like the top part of my hand is being pinched. My wrist is warmer than the un affected hand.I have poor range of motion and a bone that protrudes or a deformity of the unlnar, pinky side of the wrist.
  In case you had not seen the x rays images I posted before, here are good photos of the two fractures and the last photo shows the bottom underside of my hand without the cast, My thumb palm is in a flexed postion and has lost muscle mass and you can see how my wrist is deformed. My wrist is a full one inch wider now than the normal wrist. Thanks for any input. Hopefully I hear from my neurogist this next week before I go an more crazy playing the waiting game.

More details...

RWM

Midorime · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2013, 02:59:13 PM »

Not sure much about xray reading, I'm in anatomy and physiology. But I'm sure that'll come up in a future class, I'm dappling in the med field to see what i wish to do. Possibly leaning towards physical therapy, actually. Still trying to find my calling, though.

I do see the fracture, though, and my, that looks pretty painful!

If the numbness is the back of the hand, my guess is the radial nerve has been effected. Since the styloid of the radius there has been fractured, and it didn't heal right, I'm going to assume that the bone is putting pressure against the nerve and irritating it. This is similar to what my dad has, but remember, his injury was in his elbow, NOT his hand, but the doctors were dumb and said it was carpal tunnel, so the surgeries were for nothing at all. If your palm was numb, it'd be the median.

Here's a picture of the nerves of the hand (nerves are in yellow): http://www.jtmedart.com/Content/Portfolio/6523ac01-af96-40e1-94f4-57112a6760f4.fit-800x600.jpeg

I'm in no way a doctor but find this stuff interesting, probably why I am getting an A in class.

But I did have to pay attention and look all this up to understand what was going on with my dad's issues. But I want to say that I'm thinking it's the radial nerve, and possibly some irritation of the ulnar nerve as well. Which makes sense, they're on either side of where the fractures happened while the Median is under the hand at the palm.

Can't see the last two photos, they didn't upload.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2013, 03:52:22 PM »

Hi Midorne, thanks, just saw now the last two didn't upload, I hit a minus sign- instead of the equal= which is now fixed..

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pntq9bwo8Ww" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pntq9bwo8Ww</a>

This is a Video I uploaded a few weeks ago right after my cast came off, so you can see what my wrist now looks like. I enjoyed the medical field, took Nursing Assistant classes in College many years ago, and worked for over five years in Hospitals and Nursing homes, but my true calling was and has allways been animals and children. I worked as a teacher for over 14 years till I hurt my back on the job. Anyway, watch the video and you will get a better idea of my hand wrist now, except it is even worse. I do hope your dad gets everything working properly this time and I know dr.s can and do misdiagnose people all the time.......

but they are only human and human error is going to happen more than computer or machine error.

Take care. Will update this when I get my test..............and will let everyone know when my surgery is scheduled. I do know that I will lose all feeling in this hand eventually. .

RWM

Midorime · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2013, 04:18:52 PM »

Ow ow ow, painful. D: so sorry that happened.

Yeah looking at it, I wouldn't be surprised at all if the nerve was being pushed against by the bone or something. Things shifted, a nerve is being pressed on/pinched. If a nerve was cut in any way, then your hand wouldn't move at all, so thankfully that didn't happen.

Good luck with your test coming up. It'll be the best way to see what's up, but perhaps bring up to the doctors that there could possibly be nerve irritation due to the mis-healed fracture and if there's a way to loosen things or move the nerve so it's not being irritated.

I actually have mild numbness in my left hand, half my ring, my whole pinky, and half my hand, and it's due to an irritated ulner nerve. I know it's my elbow, when I press in it in a certain spot, the numbness goes away. Not really worth a surgery, though, since it's only like 2-5% numb--it's just irritating at best. Happened out of the blue after mowing the lawn, so no idea what caused it. Never got injured.

Anyway good luck to you and keep us posted.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2013, 08:40:11 PM »

quick update, got a call from the Neurological Society and I have a apt for the Nerve Conduction Tests and another one for this Thursday, April 4th in the morning, I then was told to call my Orthopedic Surgeon and I have an apt set up for next Monday, the 8th. Then I will learn what is next, and if surgery is set up when it will be. My insurance slowed up the apt, but it is taken care of now. I am now preparing myself for the tests which may give me a small shock, but I think I can handle that. After the tests if I learn anything will be doubtful.

Anyway, by Monday I will learn what my wrist's fate will be. so it may be a slow long week, but with the Tomato Festival this week, I will concentrate on that. Thanks Midorne for all the info you gave me, Hope your dad is doing better.

RWM

Midorime · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2013, 10:46:46 PM »

Good luck with it and don't worry, you'll get through this! And hey no problem, if my knowledge can help out, then I shall share it everyone.

And slow process, but he's stubborn and plowing through all this with me running to catch up behind him, lol.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2013, 10:20:32 PM »

Tommorow morning is my testing before probable surgery...Cross your fingers I do not get shocked too bad! LOL.

:dino-chase:Otherwise I am running away! RWM

Update, ;DHad the test done today. WAs shocked with small voltage on my muscles for 20 minutes or so, but no needles, Much to my surprise, the person running the test gave me the results, She said," Yes, you do indeed have some Carpal Tunnel Syndrome." She then showed me a poster on the wall, where the tunnel and band they cut is, and a few other things, She then handed me a brocure on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and told me a dr. would be in shortly to talk to me. After a few moments he came in, just said yes you have Carpal Tunnel syndrome and that he would fax the test results to my Ortho Dr. whom I see on Monday, April 8th. so now I have 4 days to find out what my dr. wants to do,

I am hoping they just do surgery and get it over, I hate waiting and waiting. and eventually, your Carpal Tunnel just gets worse. My wrist most likely has the median nerve being pinched by a broken bone and I do not think it is going to get better on it's own. so the good thing is that I was not imagining things, that is the worst feelings. knowing how your own body feels and wanting others to know it is real, NOw the numbness is a pain in the butt, but ok cause I know it is real anyway. I will let everyone know what the verdict is on Monday after seeing the dr.

RWM

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2013, 07:57:37 PM »

Well, saw my Orthopedic surgeon this morning, the one who has been caring for me since I fractured my wrist on Jan 14th. He saw me first at the hospital emergency room and the dr. who "set or reduced" my fracture. I will tell you this, do not let anyone ever tell you that setting a broken arm, leg, etc does not hurt. Childbirth with my son (9 lbs 10 oZ, and 22 1/2 inches long) was terrible , but this was painful enough to make me scream in the emergency room when he yanked on my wrist (3 times) and it hurt enough I actually was crying real tears.

Anyway, I had the nerve conduction test last Thursday and it shows I do indeed have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Not severe but because of my injury, my age, being female and a few other things, I am a good candidate for this surgery and if left untreated it will get only worse and I will eventually lose complete use of my arm, hand, so it is time to do it now.........
Saw the dr. this morning and talked very briefly, He simply said, "we need to get you into surgery". so that was that. He came in and did a quick intake on what meds I am taking, hospitalizations and surgeries and allergies. Then he left the room and his assistant came in and told me they need to get the ok of course from the insurance and then they will call me to set up the surgery date. Hopefully she said in a week or two. So now comes the waiting game, I do not at this point know anything else, not what type of Carpal Tunnel surgery, and what if anything will be done about my Ulnar deformity.....I am sure I will learn more once I get my appt.
I do know it will be done at the hospital and not the surgery center, as our Hospital had a huge addition built on specially for surgery, and I would rather have it done there if I have a chance. Last time I was in this hospital for major surgery, Hysterectomy, I had a severe complication, Antahphylactic shock, and I almost died. My kidneys shut down and after 24 hrs I turned around and had to have the surgery postphoned for a month because of this,..anyway, it is a nice new hospital with updated equipment, etc, so it will give me a chance to see it first hand.......

I guess I am lucky cause it will give me a chance to do something for the next couple of weeks while I can still use my hand, then it will be a different story...Once I heal from this surgery, my foot dr. will do some surgery on my dislocated fractured toe that has never healed, and that was on Dec. 13th, this past Year...thanks for listening everyone.

RWM

Midorime · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2013, 12:13:54 AM »

Good to hear something will be worked out. Hopefully it all goes smoothly and with minimal pain.

Curious, was the nerve test painful much if at all to you?

Peaches · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2013, 01:16:48 AM »

So glad to hear they're doing the surgery & not leaving it too get any worse for you, hopefully the next few weeks will fly by for you, then it's all fingers cross that the op will go smoothly & things will be better for you,

Mystearika · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2013, 03:36:09 AM »

i am glad to hear that they can do something about your wrist

it iis also good to hear you hospital has been updated

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2013, 07:51:44 PM »

Well, I came home from some shopping with my husband, and decided to play our phone to see if there were any new messages. There was one new message, and it was from my Dr.s assistant, the one who calls patients, etc. My surgery has been approved my insurance already and set for next week!

I just saw my dr. this past Monday, the 9th, and today the 12'th it is already set! I figured another week for approval, but I guess the insurance were convinced by whatever my Dr. said, I think the fact this Carpal tunnel has come on so quickly because of the fracture, and the way it is progressing, and pressure from my Dr. made them decide to not beat around the bush...

My dr. had said it was "stat", which means important, so I guess he knows what he is talking about. My surgery is now set for one week from today, Next Thursday, The 18'th. I will have to find out more details if possible tomorrow from his assistant. I only know what time to check into the hospital, ( 2 hrs before surgery) and the time of the surgery, and not to eat anything or drink anything after midnight. I never got to find out about exactly what he will do, the type of anesthesia or how long it will take. I also am hoping and wondering if he will just take care of the Carpal Tunnel problem or if he is going to take a good look at my wrist and it's deformity at the same time. I would much rather have everything fixed at the same time if at all possible,

My friends take one look at my wrist and say how "ugly" it is. Yesterday the lady at the pharmacy when I was picking up prescriptions was shocked at how it looked. My numbness is getting worse and I have never had such crappy range of motion in my whole life. I can not straighten out my wrist, it is bent at a strange angle that you can not really detect till you see my one hand flat on a surface such as a table, and the other hand can not rest straight. Also my muscle has started atrophying away at the thumb, which is a classic symptom of CArpal Tunnel and other wrist problems.

I guess I should be happy to know I have a week to try and do all I can do, after my surgery I do not know how long anything is going to take, but I will be posting photos............My Pleos are going to be fed as much as I can in the next few days...Thanks for listening..I appreciate everyone listening to a crazy Pleo Cat person ramble...

RWM

Midorime · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2013, 12:28:55 AM »

Awww, that's great you'll have surgery very soon, though, all the luck to you!

Angela · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2013, 09:52:00 AM »

Good luck with your operation! Wishing you a full and fast recovery.

Talon · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2013, 01:25:26 PM »

Well, this is progress at least. Surgery is never easy but hopefully it will be for the best and you can get some mobility back in your wrist. Good luck, Redwoods!
Talon

PleoAibo29 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2013, 04:14:51 PM »

Good luck.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2013, 10:49:42 PM »

Thanks guys.I have to check in Thursday morning,(18th)and surgery is at 11:30 a.m. My Dr. Did not tell me Anything about what he would do, so I do not know the type of surgery he will do, an open or endoscopic. One requires them to make a bigger cut on the wrist and palm of the hand where they cut or release the band in the carpal tunnel that is causing all the pain, numbness, etc. The part that has me stressed out is not knowing if they are going to use a local or general,along with what they term an amnesia producing drug.
The "funny' thing about amnesia producing drugs is that you can ,feel the pain, but have no memory of it afterwards. Who wants to feel the pain even if you forget about it later... :oWhat has me even more nervous is the thought of them sticking a long needle in my fractured painful wrist to use numbing medicine so they can cut on me...that has me totally freait hurtked out. I remember the same Dr. In the emergency room poking needles in my painful wrist, supposedly feeling like a bee sting, then without waiting for it to numb my wrist, yanking on my broken bones 3 times to set the bones before putting me in a temp cast..

It hurt so bad I was screaming and crying.. Hopefully I am worrying needlessly and they will see I am comfortable. This is going to be a long 6 days. One thing they also have not discussed is fixing my wrist, the deformity'where the ulnar is wider and sticking out, my wrist is a whole inch widget than my other one
Well, I am going to read some more on this procedure and try to prepare myself. This in a lot of ways is like having a fresh fracture all over again..wearing sweat pants and pill over tops,etc, cause you can not use your hand for even the simplest things like going to the bathroom, getting dressed, brushing your hair, opening a can of cat food or opening a soda..?.now I know what it feels like to have to depend on others for almost everything....terrible.. Well, I do have my cats and dog and my pleos to keep me company, and my husband is being supportive realizing I need this done or loss the use of my hand permanently.. Thanks for listing to me worry, it actually helps as I have no one else to talk to.. My hubby is one of those people who believes, just do it and don't ask questions and let Dr.s take care of their job, and we do nothing...

. Well, thanks for the support. You guys are terrific for listening. :arms:RWM.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2013, 05:17:47 PM »

Well tommrow is the day, D Day, surgery. I am not looking forward to it and have been sitting here frozen in fear for the last three hours, or it seems like it. I need to do what I can today before midnight, no water, no food or no more pills of any sort. I had my regular dr. prescribe me a sedative, something to get me through today. She can not believe my surgeon did not even explain the surgery to me or anything else. He has no bedside manner...not a talker is what she said.

I have no surgery fears, it is what leads up to the surgery. I have nightmares about what they did to me with my fracture in the emergency room no pain meds, just yanking on my arms...the pain I never want to go through again. Not going to talk about it anymore, just hope for the best. I will see if my prescription is ready cause I need it. I have to catch the bus in the morning to go to the hospital as my hubby will be at work already, but a friend will drive me home when I am released to go home. Today is all about taking care of my cats, getting food and trying to think of other things and figuring out what I can wear that is easy to get off and on, no jeans tomorrow. Pleos should be fed too, one more time, they will be neglected in next few days. Thanks everyone for listening to me. Hopefully there is a nice anesthesiologist tomorrow, who will give me some good twilight sleep and not my dr. doing the anesthesia himself, This is one time I wish I could have a LARGE glass of Southern Comfort and Cola before surgery. LOL

See everyone soon I hope...............Keep your fingers crossed for Good anesthesia for me............RWM<

kat · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2013, 06:03:40 PM »

Thinking of you RWM and sending positive thoughts and love your way

I'm sure everything will be fine. This is a planned surgery and so I'm sure they will have an anesthesiologist along to do his bit. Emergency rooms are often very busy places that are very understaffed and they just have to do the best they can with what they have. Planned surgery is a whole different creature with plenty of staff and thought into what is going to happen. Try to think happy thoughts and I'm sure everything will work out perfectly. You could always ring the hospital and ask them to have someone explain the procedure to you, it might help to reassure you. It will also give you a chance to ask any questions you might have now while your still settled and clam rather than waiting till you get there in the morning when you are nervous and not thinking straight. It is a chance for you to let them know how your feeling about the whole thing too so that they can try to be considerate of your fears tomorrow and do what they can to make it as pleasant an experience as possible for you.
Sending love your way

xxxxx

mweed · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2013, 07:32:53 PM »

Remember both Luke and his father Anikin did quite well after their wrist surgery . . .

Angela · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2013, 12:30:44 AM »

Good luck today! Everything will be fine!

Crewella · « **Reply #24 on:** April 18, 2013, 02:22:21 AM »

Thinking of you RWM.

Bob the Pleo Forums

Author Topic: Has anyone by chance had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery before? (Read 9691 times)