I am plagued with carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. I have done all the non-surgical procedures for the last 10 years. You know, the wrist splints, ice when they flared up, and cortisone shots. Unfortunately one can only get the shots twice a year and when they quit working for 6 months at a time, the doctor says no more, time for surgery. At this point, I am having flare ups every night, and I am losing muscle mass in my thumb pads and wrists.
I don't know about you, but when they say surgery, I get all nervous. Especially since there are such horror stories about this surgery on the wrists for carpal tunnel syndrome.
I am really fortunate that we have a doctor in town that is performing this procedure by endoscopic method. He happens to be a plastic surgeon that has perfected this way of doing the surgery. Doing it this way, the incision is less than 1/2" and healing time is just under a week. The added benefit of doing it this way is I can have both wrists done at the same time. Most complications from surgery comes from the incision, and by reducing the exposure of cut skin from 8 inches to a half inch is an almost guarantee to be free from complications.
So for now, all this means is that I am banned from most activities. Yard work, computer work, house work, and sewing room time. I have so much to get done this time of year out in the yard and garden, and I always have housework, and, and, and I am unable to be in my sewing room, or do any activities with my hands. I am fit to be tied, seeing all that needs to be done and all that I want to work on is almost as painful as the actual pain from the carpal tunnel inflammation in my wrists.
This ban is twofold. One, most of each hand is numb, and I have little or no grip strength. I wouldn't want to have an accident or mess up a project. Then two, the less inflamed I keep the wrists at, the better the recovery will be after surgery.
So, I am all set for the surgery next Wednesday. I will keep you posted, but you probably won't be hearing from me until after next week.
I would be grateful for any prayers for a success in this surgery!
Warmest...
I don't know about you, but when they say surgery, I get all nervous. Especially since there are such horror stories about this surgery on the wrists for carpal tunnel syndrome.
I am really fortunate that we have a doctor in town that is performing this procedure by endoscopic method. He happens to be a plastic surgeon that has perfected this way of doing the surgery. Doing it this way, the incision is less than 1/2" and healing time is just under a week. The added benefit of doing it this way is I can have both wrists done at the same time. Most complications from surgery comes from the incision, and by reducing the exposure of cut skin from 8 inches to a half inch is an almost guarantee to be free from complications.
So for now, all this means is that I am banned from most activities. Yard work, computer work, house work, and sewing room time. I have so much to get done this time of year out in the yard and garden, and I always have housework, and, and, and I am unable to be in my sewing room, or do any activities with my hands. I am fit to be tied, seeing all that needs to be done and all that I want to work on is almost as painful as the actual pain from the carpal tunnel inflammation in my wrists.
This ban is twofold. One, most of each hand is numb, and I have little or no grip strength. I wouldn't want to have an accident or mess up a project. Then two, the less inflamed I keep the wrists at, the better the recovery will be after surgery.
So, I am all set for the surgery next Wednesday. I will keep you posted, but you probably won't be hearing from me until after next week.
I would be grateful for any prayers for a success in this surgery!
Warmest...
Hope all goes well - adding you to the prayer list xxx
ReplyDeleteHope your surgery helps with the chronic pain. I used to work at UPS and when we got the electronic delivery devices - all the drivers got Carpel tunnel as a bonus.
ReplyDeleteSurgery then was a nightmare. I bet you're glad to have the endoscopic version.
One of the keys to keeping CP from recurring is to identify what sets off the inflammation. I've learned to be ambidextrous - in order to keep CP at bay.
Can you go walking? Take the opportunity to do some different things in your life.