Jules. Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) I have been diagnosed with mild CTS in both hands, & an waiting to be referred to a consultant as I keep dropping things as well as having the pins & needles at night time. However I may not need an operation, depending on what happens at the consultation. I've searched on here & one or two people have go/hadt CTS, & I just wanted to know how long the recovery time was after the operation, & how long I might need off work to recover. I constantly use my hands at work ( full time) on a computer, to write & to grip. I could be transferred to a non-grip desk job whilst in recovery mode if that would help me back to work quicker! Thanks. Edited July 4, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Hi Jules I have had CTS in both hands, and had to have surgery - one op was 18 months ago and the other the year before. I had suffered from CTS on and off for about five years and eventually was referred like you, but you will find that the consultant probably won't make an immediate decision about surgery as there are a few tests to do first - I had steroid injections in the wrists which made no difference, and then an electric current test (don't know the proper name for it, but they attach things to your arm and fingertips and run a mild electric pulse through to see how long it takes the pulse to go from elbow to fingertips and this assesses the extent of the nerve damage) and my results came back as 'quite severe' in left hand and 'severe' for the right. That, and the fact that I have an underactive thyroid (this can also cause nerve damage) made the decision that surgery was needed. The op was really quick under local anasthetic (spl?) and you come out so bandaged up it as though you are wearing a boxing glove . The only thing I would say is that you need strong pain killers for a few days coz when the local wears off it hurts like hell, but it is managable with the pain killers. I was off work for two weeks each time. I do the same sort of job, computer, writing etc. and when back at work I found I could'nt grip a pen hard enough to write at first but as everything healed then I was able to do more. I found the outer wound healed very quickly but it takes a lot longer for everything to heal and settle down 'inside'. Now I have no problems, the only thing I find I can't do is when gardening I can't dig into hard soil with a hand tool as the end of the handle pushes against the op area in the wrist and that hurts a bit but other than that there is no pain or discomfort at all now and I am very glad I had the surgery done. Hope the info is of help, if you've got any more questions feel free to ask. Hopefully someone else will come along with their experiences as well. Nicola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thank you Nicola for the detailed reply I forgot to write that I've already had the nerve conduction test (ouch!) and that I saw a physio before & after the test & it is her who is referring me to the consultant. I also have an under active thyroid which is managed by taking 125mg thryroxine daily. I've recently had a blood test to check my medication is the correct dose for my thyroid. I'd be happy with steroid injections, as long as they work for me! edited as I can't spell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Ah, 'nerve conduction test', I couldn't remember what it was called , and yes - OUCH. If you've not had the steroid injections then they may work if your CTS is mild, but they made no difference to me at all, perhaps coz my nerve damage was severe. My fault really as I had the symptems come and go for about five years and just put up with it, but then when they returned again they were so bad I was getting the numbness etc during the day as well which made work very difficult. The surgery really wasn't that bad as long as you take the painkillers for a few days after, the injection for the local was a bit uncomfortable though, as was the stitches coming out later. I would say that after it was more of a nuisance as you don't realise how much you do with your hand until it is out of action and there is so much you can't do for a while, but it doesn't take long to return. I also had some strength tests done before the surgery and didn't realise how weak my hands had become, but that has inproved greatly since the surgery. I was told that CTS can return even after surgery as the under active thyroid can cause a continuation of nerve damage, but so far I've had no problems. I am on 100mg a day for my thyroid. Nicola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millihelen Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I had one hand done a couple of years back - my surgeon was the no messing about type and went straight for surgery! I had it done on a Tues, was back at dance class on Thursday and did a dance exam on Sunday. My hand movements weren't very elegant, but I passed! I don't remember taking painkillers for more than about a day. I went back to work quickly too, one-handed typing of course. Apparently the needing 2 weeks off is mainly to protect people in manual jobs who need to get signed off - if you can modify what you have to do there is no problem - as long as you feel up to it yourself. I took my time and waited several weeks before driving - didn't need to as I could walk to work and I borrowed a wheelie shopping bag to go to the local shops. My only problem was I developed a trigger finger a few weeks after the op (wouldn't bend). This was cured by the dreaded steroid injection - hurt like hell but worked within an hour - and I went on a learning to sail weekend two days later! As Nicola said though, it did take a long time to fully heal "inside" and for me to get full strength in my wrist. The only thing I would add is; I heard of somebody who had both wrists done on the same day... you really don't want to do that unless you have *very* good friends (the sort who will come to the loo with you!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Hats off to you, Millihelen, you're obviously made of stern stuff . I found I needed the painkillers for about 3-4 days, then I was fine without them. I was driving once I went back to work and found it OK, the only problem was releasing the hand brake when it was my left hand, it's a bit tricky leaning across yourself to do it with your right hand. Nicola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 This is an interesting thread, I have an underactive thyroid and get terrible pins and needles in my hands especially in bed at night, it used to last into the daytime down the side of my hands but has been better since I have been on medication I take 100mcg per day. My hand strength is ok but I do bruise my finger joints very easily, what are the other symptoms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millihelen Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Hats off to you, Millihelen, you're obviously made of stern stuff . Nicola - I am only glad that "Ooops, word censored!"ody took a photo of me attempting to wave my heavily bandaged arm around! It was an Egyptian dance exam, so elegant hand movements are normally quite important! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted June 23, 2012 Author Share Posted June 23, 2012 Just thought I'd update this thread, I am going for the operation on my left (dominant) hand on Tuesday The good thing about it is that I will be able to watch all of Wimbledon on the telly, instead of being at work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Good luck - and well done for finding a silver lining Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Good timing! I hope it goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Hope everything goes well, Jules. Have you got a fridge full of strawberries and cream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieT Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Hi, I had the op on my right wrist at the end of December last year and I'm pretty much back to normal now. I took painkillers for a couple of days and just rested it as much as possible, it helps to have a very helpful hubby. The only time it bothers me is when I'm out in very cold weather and it starts to feel odd like when you knock your funny bone but I'm hoping that will eventually sort itself out. Whatever you do don't do what I did when I took the thick bandage off after a couple of days, I wasn't concentrating and pushed myself out of my chair using my wrist! Ouch! I had a few worrying days thinking I had caused myself a lot of damage as the numbness and tingling came back, but my Consultant was very calming and assured me it would settle down which it did. Enjoy your rest while you can don't try to do things too quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted July 4, 2012 Author Share Posted July 4, 2012 Its just over a week now since the op & although I'm not back to normal I am slowly regaining strength & flexibility in my hand. Not really looking forward to having the stitches out next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Good to hear that it went well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Glad to hear you've had it done & it went smoothly. No Egyptian dancing then Jules? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Glad it went well . Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery (my fingers obviously, you need to rest yours ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Wish you a speedy recovery. You'll be glad to get rid of those pins and needles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Glad to hear it went well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Glad the op went well, hope it all settles down quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Glad to hear all went well, hope you're back to full movement and dexterity soon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
