carpel tunnel

[mindehankins]

It was diagnosed by an ortho based on the classic presentation, isolated median nerve symptoms and Tinel's sign, I believe. I don't remember any testing being done. I started the cock-up splints on my own and they relieved the night time symptoms but I still had problems writing and keyboarding.
I know I was lucky!

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[RickG]

I've been treated since 1992 for ulnar neuritis caused by repetitive strain (writing software 12 hours a day back then), which was misdiagnosed twice as CTS before being properly diagnosed. I would be adamant that a definitive diagnose be made before allowing them to cut. There are a lot of disorders that share symptoms with CTS. Nerve induction tests, as mentioned by SJfromNJ, are the definitive test - but they are problematic and may give wildly different results depending on the tester and the day.

There are some really good resources out there now, but the one I used back in the 90s was Pascarelli's guide to Repetitive Strain Injuries. There's more out there to research these days.

I have occasional flare ups that I get treated by a hand surgeon, no cutting so far. The solution has always been to keep the typing height appropriate with my arms bent at more than 90 degrees. The flare ups usually happen after an extended consulting engagement where I'm doing lots of writing in a poor position. The pain can last for 6 to 12 months and never really goes away.

Good luck!

Cheers, RickG

[cypressgirl]

After 2 nights wearing the braces and also when I type, I feel a LOT better. I had X rays today by my NUCCA chiropractor, who says I'd be much better off throwing my computer out the window, but my symptoms could be related to the VERY narrow discs in the base of my neck and the pressure they are putting on certain nerves that go into the hand. Of course sitting in my big comfy chair and ottoman, with my laptop on my knees, is probably not the best way to sit. I don't use my computer for work, so I'm going to ween myself to only a few minutes, a few times a day......or at least I'll try.

[Teresa_Rae]

Are you typing on the keyboard on the laptop? Laptop keypads are notoriously bad for your wrists, especially if you're sitting in a weird position in a chair

Can you get a separate keyboard that is more ergonomically suited for typing? Can you train yourself to only use the laptop when you're sitting with good posture at a desk?

Here are some hints: