carpal tunnel operation

[Redcottage]

After several months pain etc eventually diagnosed with polymyalgia in January. Given a steroid injection 3 weeks ago and now taking 15mg Prednisone daily.

Have had pain in hands for sometime. Had a nerve test, which confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome. Told need operation or steroid injection, which is only successful 50%

I gather not advisable to have an operation until 6 months after having injection. One hand is very painful and it is difficult to write or do any jobs in the home. I am concerned my hand will get worse and I may not be able to drive. Wondered if a physiotherapist or acupuncturist could help.

Would be grateful if anyone can advise.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You can see related posts now you have asked the question.. quite common with PMR

Surgeons don’t like operating on any joint until at least 6 months from last steroid injection. They are concerned about the healing process.

[Redcottage in reply to DorsetLady]

Appreciate your reply

[piglette]

I got carpal tunnel problems when I first got PMR. In fact it then went away again, which surprised me. I understand this can happen if treated early.

[Redcottage in reply to piglette]

Thankyou

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you been told to wear a wrist splint at night? That can help a lot too.

[Redcottage in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou you for advice

[Fifegran]

Am sorry to hear how severe your carpal tunnel is. I have waited 14 months to have the surgery, now have a date for next month. At the beginning one hand in particular was agony in bed, ( have CT in both hands) until my doctor gave me wrist splints to wear at night. The difference was amazing! No pain at night, would definitely recommend! I also used them to drive. Your GP can provide them, they come in different sizes, or you can probably buy them online. Hope this helps!

[Redcottage in reply to Fifegran]

Thank you for advice

[Perigrina]

I have been travelling for 6 months (4 countries and 2 continents) in a motorhome, so limited access to medical advice = Dr Google. I had painful hands and wrists and noted a lot of people with PMR had been treated for CTS. So I started CT exercises (several times a day) and wore splints at night. No pain after 2 months -was it the excercises, the splints or just time? Who knows? but it worked for me.

[Redcottage in reply to Perigrina]

Thank you for advice

[Pixix]

I had trouble with both hands & splinted them every night for six months. I needed steroid injections for my hip, so couldn’t have them for that as well (at that time) but it improved enough not to take action. My husband had his operated on, he was back at work the day after,& had no problems at all.