OT: Advice Sought on Carpal-Like Something

[RockyMTblue2]

Wrist sore since last November. 2 experts later it's just as bad if not worse. Another steroid shot coming up. Anyone know best wrist bands to keep you going (hopefully) while you heal. I have two wrist braces that are stiff with velcro stretch wrap and somehow it seems the cure is as bad as the disease (wrist gets stiff etc.).

Anyway, any thoughts on subject (other than cut it off!) appreciated.

 

[hoopsdiva]

Wrist sore since last November. 2 experts later it's just as bad if not worse. Another steroid shot coming up. Anyone know best wrist bands to keep you going (hopefully) while you heal. I have two wrist braces that are stiff with velcro stretch wrap and somehow it seems the cure is as bad as the disease (wrist gets stiff etc.).

Anyway, any thoughts on subject (other than cut it off!) appreciated.

Have you done any physical therapy for this, or do the experts not have a clear enough idea of the problem to prescribe the appropriate type of exercise? My hubby had a bad case of tennis elbow, and his orthopedist showed him a couple exercises to do with a Flexbar. A week later, tennis elbow cured and the problem never came back. I'm sure there are also exercises you can do for the wrist with that type of device.

 

[JordyG]

The problem is tennis elbow as I understand it is a tendon inflammation, where what you have sounds like some sort of nerve impingement. Get a few opinions from specialists and go with the consensus. I ain't wishing you anything but the best Rocky.

 

[Shorty Dee]

Wrist sore since last November. 2 experts later it's just as bad if not worse. Another steroid shot coming up. Anyone know best wrist bands to keep you going (hopefully) while you heal. I have two wrist braces that are stiff with velcro stretch wrap and somehow it seems the cure is as bad as the disease (wrist gets stiff etc.).

Anyway, any thoughts on subject (other than cut it off!) appreciated.

Hi RockyMTblue,
I also deal with nerve problems. I have had a variety of treatments. I would recommend acupuncture. Along with the brace, try using a heating pad and ice pack.

 

[Dabber]

Wrist sore since last November. 2 experts later it's just as bad if not worse. Another steroid shot coming up. Anyone know best wrist bands to keep you going (hopefully) while you heal. I have two wrist braces that are stiff with velcro stretch wrap and somehow it seems the cure is as bad as the disease (wrist gets stiff etc.).

Anyway, any thoughts on subject (other than cut it off!) appreciated.

If it has been diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome I can definitely tell you from experience (had it in both left and right) in my situation splints, etc. wound up not being effective so I reluctantly had the surgical option. Quite surprisingly, it really did not amount to anything at all significant, either from a pain standpoint or being "disabled" for any period of time. Had the surgery done 2 weeks apart and never had to take any sort of narcotic for pain. Again, it all depends on your specific diagnosis and degree of discomfort that you are experiencing. In any case - Good Luck and hope I have helped you.

 

[Fishbone]

If it has been diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome I can definitely tell you from experience (had it in both left and right) in my situation splints, etc. wound up not being effective so I reluctantly had the surgical option. Quite surprisingly, it really did not amount to anything at all significant, either from a pain standpoint or being "disabled" for any period of time. Had the surgery done 2 weeks apart and never had to take any sort of narcotic for pain. Again, it all depends on your specific diagnosis and degree of discomfort that you are experiencing. In any case - Good Luck and hope I have helped you.

My experience is similar to Dabber's. The surgery involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament and it is easy ( for the patient). The ligament repairs itself resulting in reduced pressure on the nerve. Waiting too long for surgery may result in reduced in nerve function.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I'll raise these thoughts with the expert next Tuesday. Last June he said I was not bad enough to operate on and come back when it had turned into arthritis (in other words a cutter p**ck through and through. Allowed as how it was torn tendon between two scaphoid(sp) bones. Still got that but this feels more like carpal, probably inflammation spreading. I'll tae the shot from him and move on to a more holistic approach I'm thinking.

 

[bags27]

I'm not expert (didn't even sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night), but:
1. I'd always want a 2nd opinion before depending on steroid shots as an on-going option. From what I understand (not much) there's a limit to their efficacy and I'd save them for desperate moments. And so far as surgery is concerned, ditto, ditto, ditto. I'm not against surgery at all, but I think it needs to be the last resort. Weird things can happen to people under the knife.
2. Alas, Rocky. Not wanting fewer contributions from you, but we all know that one of the greatest causes of carpal tunnel is using a computer.... BTW, there is now excellent dictation software.....

 

[trb123]

Wrist sore since last November. 2 experts later it's just as bad if not worse. Another steroid shot coming up. Anyone know best wrist bands to keep you going (hopefully) while you heal. I have two wrist braces that are stiff with velcro stretch wrap and somehow it seems the cure is as bad as the disease (wrist gets stiff etc.).

Anyway, any thoughts on subject (other than cut it off!) appreciated.

I have carpal tunnel on both hands. Electric stimulation is a must for me.
I like two digital stimulators. LGMedicalSupply sells Combo TENS unit ELITE - probably the best in the market.
Intensity Twin Stim III is nearly as good at half the price. However their product quality control is not as good
and you have a slighly higher chance of getting a so so product.
Santa Medical 40 pack self adhering electrodes (2in) on Amazon is the best bang for your buck. Both Tens units will come
with a set of electodes (2 to 5) which are of better quality. However, buying them separately is very expensive.

I bought Therabath Professional Thermotherapy Paraffin Bath from Amazon. This is also used by my therapist.

Find out about squeeze putty and hand exercisers by playing with them. That will be better than my suggestions.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I have carpal tunnel on both hands. Electric stimulation is a must for me.
I like two digital stimulators. LGMedicalSupply sells Combo TENS unit ELITE - probably the best in the market.
Intensity Twin Stim III is nearly as good at half the price. However their product quality control is not as good
and you have a slighly higher chance of getting a so so product.
Santa Medical 40 pack self adhering electrodes (2in) on Amazon is the best bang for your buck. Both Tens units will come
with a set of electodes (2 to 5) which are of better quality. However, buying them separately is very expensive.

I bought Therabath Professional Thermotherapy Paraffin Bath from Amazon. This is also used by my therapist.

Find out about squeeze putty and hand exercisers by playing with them. That will be better than my suggestions.

trib ... where do the pads go?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Now I am convinced ... Boneyard needs a Old Foggy's Folk Remedies and Such Forum. Keep the fan base going.

 

[trb123]

trib ... where do the pads go?

Are you talking about the electrodes I mentioned? They connect the TENS unit to the hand.
You can use them to stimulate any part of the body. My son uses them comfort sore muscles after games (soccer, waterpolo).
I prefer digital stimulating units. There are analog stimulators which are a lot cheaper.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Are you talking about the electrodes I mentioned? They connect the TENS unit to the hand.
You can use them to stimulate any part of the body. My son uses them comfort sore muscles after games (soccer, waterpolo).
I prefer digital stimulating units. There are analog stimulators which are a lot cheaper.

Tens units I have used for various things. I meant where on the hand/wrist and 2 or 4 electrodes. I know there is stuff on line. Thought I wou;d get advice from the real deal.

 

[trb123]

Tens units I have used for various things. I meant where on the hand/wrist and 2 or 4 electrodes. I know there is stuff on line. Thought I wou;d get advice from the real deal.

I have confused you with inaccurate use of the word electrodes.
Both TENS units use two electrodes - a total of 4 pads. Santa Medical pads are a good value for the money.
The pad placement would depend on where you feel the pain. I normally use two near the wrist on the forearm.
The other two are either on the backside or one pad is on a finger and one partially on the palm.
I have also used two on the arm separated by several inches - one near the wrist and the other way up.
I had used all 4 pads lined up in a straight line on the forearm. I no longer use that configuration.
I also have a trigger finger problem. Putting a pad on the fingers helps.

 

[DaddyChoc]

stop posting on the Boneyard so much

 

[mbr33ct]

@rocky, you don't mention if this wrist is the one you operate mouse with (if you use a mouse). With almost 10,000 posts , perhaps you should also evaluate the ergonomics of hand/forearm/mouse/keyboard. I'm not going to say anything new here, I will just say while working on CAD systems for about 20 years, (retired for about 10 years now) and using primarily the mouse, we were constantly reminded to keep forearm(s) on flat area (desk) while using the mouse (if it's not currently there now) and also using keyboard.

Hands, Wrists, Forearms, & Elbows

 

[huskeynut]

Rocky - I had carpal tunnel several years ago. It was caused by a combination of computer work, construction work and playing the trumpet and guitar - all over 40+ years. All of these activities are unnatural positions for the wrists. Hands would go numb at night.

Simple proceedure. I had both wrists done at the same time. 3 days later I was playing trumpet at Easter Mass.

BTW - I have also has both shoulders done for rotator cuff surgery. Again, occupational hazzard. Being a band director and conducting rehearsals and concerts is all unnatural motions for the shoulder. Go figure. And my orthopedists was also one of my band parents officer!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I have confused you with inaccurate use of the word electrodes.
Both TENS units use two electrodes - a total of 4 pads. Santa Medical pads are a good value for the money.
The pad placement would depend on where you feel the pain. I normally use two near the wrist on the forearm.
The other two are either on the backside or one pad is on a finger and one partially on the palm.
I have also used two on the arm separated by several inches - one near the wrist and the other way up.
I had used all 4 pads lined up in a straight line on the forearm. I no longer use that configuration.
I also have a trigger finger problem. Putting a pad on the fingers helps.

multo bene (hey, that's the way I spell it)

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Rocky - I had carpal tunnel several years ago. It was caused by a combination of computer work, construction work and playing the trumpet and guitar - all over 40+ years. All of these activities are unnatural positions for the wrists. Hands would go numb at night.

Simple proceedure. I had both wrists done at the same time. 3 days later I was playing trumpet at Easter Mass.

BTW - I have also has both shoulders done for rotator cuff surgery. Again, occupational hazzard. Being a band director and conducting rehearsals and concerts is all unnatural motions for the shoulder. Go figure. And my orthopedists was also one of my band parents officer!

You and a couple of others make me hope it is carpal!

 

[TRuconnfan]

Wrist sore since last November. 2 experts later it's just as bad if not worse. Another steroid shot coming up. Anyone know best wrist bands to keep you going (hopefully) while you heal. I have two wrist braces that are stiff with velcro stretch wrap and somehow it seems the cure is as bad as the disease (wrist gets stiff etc.).

Anyway, any thoughts on subject (other than cut it off!) appreciated.

If it is some type of inflammation; carpel tunnel, arthritis etc you can try wearing a magnetic bracelet snug on / near the joint. The magnets help the blood flow / increace circulation so will help with some inflammation pain. This will not cure it, but should help relieve some pain.
It has helped my wrist greatly and ive had a bunch of my customers swear by them. ( I make magnetic hematite bracelets)
You can research the magnets /magnetic hematite and find bracelets easily. ( make sure they are magnetic as regular hematite will not help).

 

[Artifact]

Carpal tunnel surgery, the adage goes,'Swear By It or Swear At It' !