Cure or just relief with Carpal Tunnel Brace

Brain and nerves
1

I have a 'non typical' carpal tunnel injury, caused by extreme vibration when holding wood in my hand and cutting it with an electric saw. I have been advised to wear a CT brace for '4 weeks or so' by my GP.

The pain I​ experienced was like a sharp needle (or lightning bolt on bad days) in the wrist, but no typical numbness or tingling.

Has anyone any experience of just how good a brace can be, is it likely that the pain will go without surgery?  I just don't want to have the surgeon who botched my hip replacement 'having a go' at any other parts of my body.

Graham

2

A brace is a temporary "fix" and doesn't cure the problem long term.  I wore a brace for several years especially at night when the pain was at it's worst.  Your problem sounds like might not be typical.  You have to have "nerve conduction studies" done by a neurologist to see if and how bad the carpal tunnel is compressing the nerve.

Second, find a different doctor if the one that "botched" your hip wouldn't be wise to go to him since you have already lost faith in him or her.

Best of luck finding a real diagnosis and cure..

 

3

Joy,

Thanks for the reply - I was suspicious that this may be a temporary fix. 

My main pain is in the daytime, it's my left hand and I'm mainly left handed ,   I actually take it off at night.

The pain does seem to be easing after just one week with the brace. 

Graham

4

I would still have your doctor refer you to a neurologist for the nerve conduction studies and then you would know for sure if it's actual carpal tunnel syndrome.  If it's irritation from the vibration, possibly the resting with the brace will help?  But if that is something you have to do all of the time...then not sure what else they could do, just have to find a different doctor and if you live in a large city, often you can find a plastic surgeon that is also a hand specialists. Classic symptoms of carpal tunnel are the numbness, tingling and pain at night when laying down.  That was immediately gone the minute they did surgery.

5

I developed “deQuervains tenosynovitis about three months ago without doing any of the activities listed as cause. The hand surgeon gave me a painfull shot without results. But early in the game I ordered a brace to disable a lot of normal hand and wrist movement. Especially the thumb which is operated by the tendon causing the problem. Without the brace I have accidental moves that are painful and slow the healing. It is improving slowly and with the brace I think I will beat it. I won’t let them do any cutting.

6

Like you, I have no appetite for surgery - and 7 months on my pain is eventually subsiding. It took time, and a lot of massage with various preparations.