Thread: Carpal tunnel syndrome.

can only tell you of my dads experience - he did the macho thing and ignored the CTS until he REALLY had to have the surgery. After the surgery he did not get full use back as he had left it too long before having it. So, I guess the lesson from that is: don't put it off or you may not get the result you would like! Heres a good web site that covers soem other options: Carpal tunnel syndrome | Better Health Channel

Good luck and don't put off getting something done whatever you decide to go for.... I cant imagine not being able to take the bike out for a spin......

I had a dose of it about twelve years ago.

The background was that I had been paddling kayaks and canoes for decades, including the 100 Miler (about 24hrs more or less non stop) twice and the 111km Hawkesbury Classic four times and a 120km Gundagai to Wagga race half a dozen times. So I had done a fair bit of paddling and never had a problem.

Then I bought a K1 and tried for six months to master it. Shortly after that, about fifteen minutes into a kayak race, I had a burning sensation in the palm of my hand every time I tried to put in a bit of an effort. I had a few other symptoms after that, including numbness and/or tingling in my fingers if I drove any distance.

My doctor diagnosed CTS and prescribed one lot of anti inflammatory pills. One of the side effects, I seem to remember was mild constipation. After the first lot, I just applied comfrey ointment for a few months, which my mother assured me helped reduce inflammation.

For a couple of years, I concentrated on paddling canoes instead of kayaks because the action is different. The problem went away and I returned to paddling kayaks including competitive paddling. I haven't had a problem since.

I have a theory about what caused it and I believe that some of the reading I have done supports my theory.

My normal paddling style involves a fairly relaxed grip on the paddle. However, because I spent most of the time in the K1 feeling that I was just moments away from falling in, I tended to grip the paddle very firmly. In fact, I felt I was hanging on for dear life.

Holding muscles in tension with little or no movement reduces blood supply to places around the nerves, so the sheath suffers damage. That is why musicians who play clarinet and similar instruments suffer from it. I can imagine that you have been gripping the bars fairly firmly on the Triumph and have caused the same restriction to the blood supply.

Anyway, to answer your question, I was able to vary my activity so that I was no longer using the same muscles in the same way and it went away and has not returned. I suppose it depends how bad the damage is to the nerve sheath.

As a side note, the CTS turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The doctor gave me a blood test while I was there, noted a raised PSA and referred me to a urologist and about four or five years later I had a radical prostatectomy. As I had no symptoms, I often wonder if I might have died from the prostate cancer if the CTS hadn't given me a reason to go to the doctor.

Change gears without the clutch, that should solve it all....

I believe mine is mostly work related as a chef for over 27 years using my hands plus working on cars and other stuff for over 30 years, its never been so much of a problem as it is now so going to see my GP and then go from there. Hoping for a non surgical treatment if possible but as a last resort will accept surgery as the cure (hopefully ).
I damaged my right hand when i was 4 1/2 and i had always expected problems with it but its my good hand with the problem .

I have had it on and off for the past 15 years. It was caused from constant use of screw drivers at work. I went through anti inflammatory, Physio, exercise and rest but did not settle down. Then I had a cortisone injection and all good for quite a few years.

I does play up from time to time. I can feel it coming on if I strain or over use it. If I rest it it usually settles down again. Some times it goes to far and get inflamed and requires another injection. Then all good for another couple of years.

My injection is just behind the elbow. This is where the tendon attachés to the bone. If you press around you can find the spot. Can be in other locations, mine is tennis elbow. I have tried the braces and help manage it but did not fix the problem.

Get it looked and now and the doctor will tell you the best path.

Constant use of a keyboard, particularly if the hands are higher than the elbows, can also cause it.

i have it, and other issues in/on my right arm

i get cheap relief using one of them electrical stimulus things (tens machine) you can buy for $100 approx that allow you to shock your self with various patterns of delight.

1 @ 20 min session buys me a couple of weeks of painlessness

amazed the crap out of me that one 9v battery could cause so much pleasure or pain

and provide so much relief

vary what you do

get in the habit of holding your arm / hand/ elbow at varying positions

i use 3 different mice / trackballs otherwise it drives me nuts if i dont rotate them.

series 1 discos do it to me in no time flat and 4bd1 counties after a few months

nothing i have found helps the peripheral neuropathy if you get it.

i have met people that had surgery and it worked wonders and others that it made worse...

last resort imho

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Constant use of a keyboard, particularly if the hands are higher than the elbows, can also cause it.

Thats not good considering i sit in front of a pc all day.