Carpel Tunnel but have to use crutches

[bohannekin]

I've had to use arm cuff (canadian) crutches since I was 6 years old and will need them for basic mobility after carpal tunnel surgery. I have zero walking ability without my crutches. Has anyone in a similar situation and went through the procedure successfully.

[Rosepetal60]

Are you sure you have Carpal tunnel ? Do your problems match the criteria night and day? Doc thought I had Carpal tunnel but I knew I did not. And I also knew I would not be having operation for it. Many months later with help of splints and coming off a certain drug, my wrists improved and eventually got better.

[bohannekin in reply to Rosepetal60]

Yes, it had been diagnosed about 5 years ago. At the time he said to wear braces at night which I have. He seem to want to steer me away from surgery, probably due to may unique situation.

[Rosepetal60 in reply to bohannekin]

So, by wearing the splints at night, did that help or make no difference? I only ask because it made no difference to me as I did not need to wear the splints at night. So I did not fit the criterior of carpal tunnel

I have talked with a couple of people (total strangers) who were worse off after having the op. And I'm thinking also that your wrists must be taking a lot of the strain with u using crutches. It's difficult. I can understand why your specialist wants you to steer clear of the operation. Could you not try a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair for mobility in order to give your wrists a break. 2nd hand ones could be a possibility for starters.

[bohannekin in reply to Rosepetal60]

Thanks for the reply. Yes it helped some especially at first but as it got worse it helps less at night. Good advice concerning the scooter.

[Hidden]

Hi if u are having a operation for carpal tunnel syndrome u will not be able to use crutches

[Bananas5 in reply to Hidden]

Message me Peter when you have time

x

[deejames]

I had successful carpal tunnel surgery but certainly couldn't have used crutches for at least a week maybe more.

Hope yours goes well but I can't understand why no one has discussed your use of crutches when you were being assessed for the operation

[Bananas5]

I'm with Dee here. Have to keep your arm elevated for at least a week. Have you discussed your problem with consultant or your own GP?

x

[onamission]

I had both hands done my friend had a stroke and walked with tripod she had her hand done they put extra padding on the handle of her tripod

[bohannekin]

Thanks for both replies. I will discuss with my GP.

[johnsmith]

There is something you can try first which may or may not be helpful. See someone who can work on the muscles in the wrist.

I broke my wrist several years ago and was left with weak fingers. Being the age I am I had to work at dealing with the shortening of the muscles in my forearm. No one had informed me about the muscles in my wrist. My chiropractor worked on the wrist and straight away the strength in my fingers improved.

The suspected reason for strength improvement was that there are feedback mechanisms which detect the resistance of tendon movement through the wrist. Lengthening out the small muscles in the wrist allowed less resistance with corresponding great increase in finger strength. This area is one where the medical profession is incompetent.

You have a possible experiment you can try.

Hope I have been helpful.

[earthwitch]

Ask to see a physio either before or while in hospital and ask them about other walking aids. They may give you gutter crutches, or one of the high walkers that you rest your forearms on to move. There are lots of different types of walking aids so I am sure there is something that will suit.

[bohannekin in reply to earthwitch]

Thank you, sounds like excellent advice.

[Hartleyhare2]

I had my left corporal tunnel and a trapped ulna nerve in my left elbow at the same time as a day patient and was home the same afternoon by a wonderful accommodating Military Surgeon who knew I hated hospitals. I have fibromygelia and use a cane. I rested for a complete week and my minions, wife, son and cat fortunately supported me completely for that week then I was up and gently moving about. Hospitals will often loan wheel chairs free for short periods of time.

Good luck

Patrick.

[Hidden]

I walk with a stick and did have carpal tunnel too. Have you tried steroid injections? I had it done twice and every time after the injection my carpal tunnel stayed away for about a year. I have been very pleased with the results. I have been told they can inject 3 times and then surgery will be the only other option for me but will try to avoid it if i can. Do you use ergonomic crutches? they are better for carpal tunnel

good luck

[johnsmith]

Had a look at some of the replies. I would suggest that you need to see specialists in movement first. An Alexander Teacher is one specialist. A Feldenkrais teacher another.

There is a possibility that the muscles in the wrist are too tight and clamping on the tendon sheaves. This is McTimony chiropractor territory.

Carpal tunnel could mean that you are in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. I say this because you may not be able to use crutches after the surgery.

I been making some guesses here. So please investigate whether my guess is accurate or not.

[Hidden in reply to johnsmith]

Hi John, it’s an old post, but might be helpful for anyone for anyone struggling now.

I don’t think an Alexander teacher can help with carpal tunnel (as it mostly affects people while sleeping when they are not aware of their body positions)

A Physio can possibly be helpful, but I tried splints, physio, injections for quite a few years, all of them gave temporary relief (up to a year)

But after years of sleepless nights because of carpal tunnel syndrome I had both wrists operated on. I couldn’t use my crutches for about 7 to 10 days while they were healing but I have been able to use my crutches ever since and highly recommend surgery (I should have done it years ago, it would have saved me years of misery)

Just get one wrist done at the time so you can at least use one crutch while you recover

My surgeon wishes that people would not do the injections as it’s only a temporary solution and it weakens the tissue and makes the healing more complicated after surgery

[johnsmith in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply.

You say: "I don’t think an Alexander teacher can help with carpal tunnel (as it mostly affects people while sleeping when they are not aware of their body positions)"

You are right. Carpal tunnel is a diagnosis from a particular set of symptoms. There can be a number of causes. This bit is always difficult. If the cause is caused by faulty movement awareness then Alexander may help. If the cause if over contracted muscle fibres Alexander is unlikely to help. Over contracted muscle fibres is something McTimony chiropractor can deal with. Alexander can prevent the problem from reoccurring by enabling a person to have more awareness of how the body works. This approach does not work for everyone.

I have woken with a completely dead hand because I have slept in a way that applied pressure to a nerve. Sometimes due to something I have done I can get an electric shock type experience into my hand. Unpleasant but does not last long.

If the carpal tunnel cause is due to tissue over growth then operation is possibly needed.

I know one person where the operation went wrong and they got left with hand coordination problem. Cannot remember what it was now.

In the end it comes down to investigation.

[Hidden in reply to johnsmith]

You are right, it comes down to investigation. Doctors should always do nerve conducting test before they diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome and do surgery to rule out any other possible causes for numbness that are not carpal tunnel syndrome