BG Medical: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[xopher]

So I went to the neurologist today and found out I have severe CTS in both hands. Tests showed only 20m/s transfer from my arms to hands, where the average is 50+ m/s.

We're going to try wrist splints at night for a few months before we do anything invasive like surgery.

Anyone else here had CTS? Post your expereiences.

[Tymon]

Probably most of the posters on here will have it by the time they're 50.

Get a wrist rest for your keyboard, try to sit above your desk if possible, so that your arms are angled downwards.

And you'll probably end up needing surgery. Sucks, but that's just how CTS is.

[Melena]

My dad had surgery on both wrists back in the late 90's. At least for him they did one wrist at a time so he wouldn't be completely useless, but I still wound up having to drive him everywhere since his car was a stick shift. I nearly got diagnosed with it as well about 12 years ago, and it wound up being due to my back. For some reason the muscles in my back got so tight it was constricting on my spinal column. Bout 3 weeks of electro stimulation on the back and I got feeling back in my wrists without any pain, so if your overweight and have a sore back, have your doctor check that as well.

[Ksandra]

I had a mild case, back in the day when I was a waitress. Never got surgery though, just wore the wrist brace to work for a few weeks and it got better. Every now and then it acted up and I'd put the brace back on.

Oddly enough though, I haven't had any problems since moving to cali (back in '06). Maybe the desk I have here helps (and since I'm not a waitress anymore lol).

[Caiyuo]

Do the mice that are made vertically so that your wrist is turned while using them help?

[xopher]

Do the mice that are made vertically so that your wrist is turned while using them help?

Haven't tried that. They did nerve conductivity tests today so it's certain it's CTS and not anything in my back.

[Amelya]

I changed from a traditional mouse to a stylus pen which worked for me. Mine was only in my right hand, probably because I mainly use a mouse at work and don't do a ton of typing.

[Caiyuo]

Haven't tried that. They did nerve conductivity tests today so it's certain it's CTS and not anything in my back.

They just seem much more comfortable so I wasn't sure whether it'd be something to alleviate pain or not, as far as I can tell wrist pain in general is related to the way the wrist is used in that turned-down position, I have no idea if they work, though, so it was just a general inquiry.