Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Quilting
06-05-2009, 10:55 AM
#41
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,240
Many thanks for the hand exercises, Cathy! I do not have CTS but have quite a bit of pain in my thumbs from hand needlework and using the mouse on the computer, I suppose. It is amazing how much better they feel after doing the exercises! Now, to learn to use this mouse with my left hand!
06-07-2009, 11:44 AM
#43
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
Originally Posted by sallybramald
I had it about ten years back. And had surgery. And now it's fine.
There is a lot of confusion out there about CTS and RSI. Only by rigorous testing can a doctor tell you the difference.
And whilst some supports which help both to a certain extent, supports will not cure CTS but might rest your hands for long enough to cure RSI.
A simple but not definitive way to tell if it is CTS is to gently rub the pads on the tips of your fingers against the edge of your teeth. If you can feel more through the little fingers than the other ones then it probably is CTS as the nerves caught in the tunnel from the fingers to the brain do not include the little finger. The definitive way is for your doctor to measure the current going through each finger.
HTH
There is a lot of confusion out there about CTS and RSI. Only by rigorous testing can a doctor tell you the difference.
And whilst some supports which help both to a certain extent, supports will not cure CTS but might rest your hands for long enough to cure RSI.
A simple but not definitive way to tell if it is CTS is to gently rub the pads on the tips of your fingers against the edge of your teeth. If you can feel more through the little fingers than the other ones then it probably is CTS as the nerves caught in the tunnel from the fingers to the brain do not include the little finger. The definitive way is for your doctor to measure the current going through each finger.
HTH
I tried the finger test you mentioned and didn't feel a difference, but definitely have something going on.
06-07-2009, 12:27 PM
#44
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I Googled RSI and came up with Repetitive Stress Injury. Maybe that's why I was able to get rid of my diagnosed "severe carpal tunnel syndrome" with splints, drastically reducing the repetitive stress (in my case, typing), and citrus bioflavanoid supplements.
I went to the doctor soon after my fingertips started tingling and going numb. I think I had occasional pain in my wrists also but it's been so long I don't remember anymore. Also can't remember the name of the test they gave me. Basically they measured an electrical current running through my arm to each finger (both arms). Based on the results of that test, I was diagnosed with severe carpal tunnel in my right hand and moderate carpal tunnel in my left. The hand specialist I was sent to said I would need surgery. When I said I wanted to try natural remedies first, he said categorically that I would be back for the surgery.
Some of us don't give up easily! I bought splints from Walmart because the ones the doctor's office had given me didn't seem to be very good. Instead of just wearing them at night and while typing, I wore them all night and all day -- took them off only for tasks I couldn't do with them on (such as showering!). I had my husband change my un-ergonomic computer setup and cut my computer typing to less than half what I'd been doing. I Googled CTS and incorporated some exercises and citrus bioflavanoids into my daily routine. As I recall, it took a good six months to be sure I had seen significant improvement, and a full year before all the tingling was gone and I was confident I could go without splints all day long. Eventually I stopped wearing the splints at night also, although I put them back on at night if I suspected even a glimmer of wrist pain or finger numbness.
Aside from all this, I think a huge key to my success in eliminating CTS (or RSI) was that I took action right away. I'm pretty sure if I had waited a year before changing my habits the inflammation would have resulted in permanent changes in the carpal tunnel requiring surgery. Based on what I read online, my problem was inflammation of the carpal tunnel. My aim was to get rid of that inflammation before permanent damage was done, and I think I succeeded in that.
For me, it was worth wearing the splints all day and all night to avoid surgery.
I went to the doctor soon after my fingertips started tingling and going numb. I think I had occasional pain in my wrists also but it's been so long I don't remember anymore. Also can't remember the name of the test they gave me. Basically they measured an electrical current running through my arm to each finger (both arms). Based on the results of that test, I was diagnosed with severe carpal tunnel in my right hand and moderate carpal tunnel in my left. The hand specialist I was sent to said I would need surgery. When I said I wanted to try natural remedies first, he said categorically that I would be back for the surgery.
Some of us don't give up easily! I bought splints from Walmart because the ones the doctor's office had given me didn't seem to be very good. Instead of just wearing them at night and while typing, I wore them all night and all day -- took them off only for tasks I couldn't do with them on (such as showering!). I had my husband change my un-ergonomic computer setup and cut my computer typing to less than half what I'd been doing. I Googled CTS and incorporated some exercises and citrus bioflavanoids into my daily routine. As I recall, it took a good six months to be sure I had seen significant improvement, and a full year before all the tingling was gone and I was confident I could go without splints all day long. Eventually I stopped wearing the splints at night also, although I put them back on at night if I suspected even a glimmer of wrist pain or finger numbness.
Aside from all this, I think a huge key to my success in eliminating CTS (or RSI) was that I took action right away. I'm pretty sure if I had waited a year before changing my habits the inflammation would have resulted in permanent changes in the carpal tunnel requiring surgery. Based on what I read online, my problem was inflammation of the carpal tunnel. My aim was to get rid of that inflammation before permanent damage was done, and I think I succeeded in that.
For me, it was worth wearing the splints all day and all night to avoid surgery.
06-07-2009, 01:32 PM
#45
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
That's some good info, Prism. I have been cutting typing time. I tried wearing a brace...hubbies. It seemed to feel better, but then after using it for two days, I felt better after taking it off.
I think I need one that fits me. I have small arm circumference. I am definitely talk to my doctor about this. I'm thinking mine is the RSI thing, bc typing, cutting with scissors etc. aggravate it, but some other things, don't seem to.
Heard that there are special things you can buy for mouse and pc, to help guard against CTS. I am also going to look into that.
I think I need one that fits me. I have small arm circumference. I am definitely talk to my doctor about this. I'm thinking mine is the RSI thing, bc typing, cutting with scissors etc. aggravate it, but some other things, don't seem to.
Heard that there are special things you can buy for mouse and pc, to help guard against CTS. I am also going to look into that.
06-07-2009, 02:22 PM
#46
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
Posts: 58,856
here are some different aids for the computer mouse and keyboard. Walmart, office supply stores, electronic stores usually carry these items...prices do vary....
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...adsWristrests/
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...adsWristrests/
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