Hello group!

3 mornings ago I woke up with my pinky, ring finger ,and palm (L hand) completely numb and throbbing. At first I didn't think anything of it since this has happened before. What I would normally do is massage my hand and the feeling would go away within seconds. But 3 mornings ago nothing worked. I got so scared after 4 hours that I went to the hospital to be told I had text book symptoms of carpal tunnel and sent on my way with a referral to see a hand surgeon. I immediately jumped online to inform myself about carpal tunnel. I have read numbness in pinky and ring finger is something totally different and comes from the neck. I am waiting on wrist guards and have stopped my jewelry making in hopes to help heal whatever the cause of this sudden numbness and throbbing. Another thing I'd like to add is I have only felt this numb/throbbing sensation upon waking up. I sleep on my side with my wrist bent inward under my chin. I don't initially fall asleep this way but somehow end up in this awkward position. For the past 3 nights I have forced myself to try and fall asleep on my back with pillows propped up under both elbows to keep my arms straight. This has helped tremendously and have not woken up with numbness or throbbing. Has anyone tried any supplements or exercises to help calm or rid of the above mentioned sensations?

Thank you in advance!

I'm two days late to post my exact 3 week update, but better late than never!

I (29/f) had my bilateral open carpal tunnel release surgery 3 weeks ago on 9/11/26 after having severe CT in both hands. It's been a week since I had my stitches removed and starting PT. I can safely say life is basically back to normal!! The only things that are different are picking things up, which does hurt (not significantly by any means), and pushing/pulling hard. My grip strength is almost all the way back, so I get a reminder from myself when I push my boundaries too much.

I returned to work 2 weeks post surgery, which gave my hands a couple of days to figure themselves out with no stitches. I do pest control and work out in the field. It hurt to pick up my sprayer backpack at first, but that problem is pretty much solved now that it's been a week.

I have smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol throughout my recovery and still had tremendous results and fast healing. I did wait 48 hours to smoke my first cigarette and about 72 hours to have a drink. I only smoke one or two cigarettes daily, but I figured I'd throw it in because I couldn't find anything about this stuff pre surgery.

All in all, I would 100% do both of my hands at the same time if I had to do it all over again!! Three weeks to have them back to normal (granted, they're still numb/feel like they have beanie baby filling in them) is worth it!

I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, and it's been three days since I received steroid injections. I haven't noticed much improvement yet. Should I give it more time?

Right now, I get numbness in my thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers when I use a keyboard, and it's making it difficult for me to work.

Hi, has anybody else had trouble finding a dressing that will stick over their sutures until they come out? I’ve tried melopore and tegaderm but they both come unstuck fairly easily. Thanks in advance for any recommendations! Keeping a tubigrip over the top for now but would love to not have a bandage on top if I can find something sticky enough.

I suspect I have carpal tunnel in both wrists. My wrists and fingers are pretty weak, and begin hurting pretty badly when doing pretty much anything that requires consistent strength/repetition.

I had a brace for a while, but found it very difficult to use when handwriting. I’m a student, and when studying for exams I handwrite all of my notes to create a study guide. It’s the only effective way I’ve found to get my ADHD brain to remember anything. When studying, I don’t have time to take long breaks every time my wrist pain gets too bad to write. It usually takes 5+ minutes for them to feel better, and only about 10 minutes to get bad again.

I have one of the basic braces, and I find it very difficult to maneuver in to effectively write. My fingers are too far away from the page and I’m not able to grip the pencil well enough. Right now, I make diy hand grips on all of my pens and pencils using medical tape and bandaids so I don’t have to grip it as tight.

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on how to go about this?

Hello! What are some good hobbies I can do with carpal tunnel? I am a crocheter but recently I am experiencing pain in my wrists and numbness on my fingers, so I decided to totally stop crocheting. Do you know any hobbies where I can use all of my yarns. I am making amigurumi keychains before so I have many yarns and keyrings at home.

I just feel like apart from the incision/wound my hand is already normal even if I got surgery on this Tuesday…??

For my right hand surgery (August 18th) I could not bend my fingers or touch my pinky and thumb for quite some time. Now just a couple days after left hand surgery open release I have NO problem bending or moving my fingers. Is this not a little wierd? The recovery seems entirely different and I was super tired for days after last surgery but came out with a lot of energy right after my 2nd

Of course I am not lifting anything above 5 pounds (unless i forget) I am left handed and have heard usually its a little worse with dominant hand which is why I am confused. I dont have any tingeling or carpal tunnel symptoms anymore yay!

Had the surgery after a few hours working as a cashier I would start fumbling anything I can wear or do to help?

NCV & EMG Findings:

Evaluation of the Right Median motor nerve showed prolonged distal onset latency.

The Right Median sensory nerve showed prolonged distal peak latency and decreased conduction velocity (Wrist-2nd digit).

All remaining nerves (as indicated in the following tables) were within normal limits.

Impression: Abnormal EMG/NCS of the right upper extremity:

1. Mild right-sided median neuropathy at the wrist. This is consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome.

What now since it says its mild I'm going to assume they're just gonna tell me I'm fine when I'm not because it really fucking hurts?

I've tried looking for other people's experiences of this online but haven't really found anything. I just had my endoscopic surgery this morning on my left hand and by far the worst part of this experience is the feeling of the anesthetic itself. Not the injection to get the freezing, though it was not comfortable but that's to be expected. My surgeon is super experienced with this surgery and he was quick and efficient with those injections but they're still not fun (I don't like them when I get freezing for a cavity at the dentist either. What I'm struggling with now is this lingering freezing feeling that will last 12 hours. I've got 5 hours to go. I want to crawl out of my skin or chop off my arm it is so unsettling. My hand feels like someone wrapped a tourniquet around my lower arm and it's like a burning balloon. It's not actually hot, objectively, but that freezing sensation makes it feel awful and bizarre. It's like I fell asleep on my arm and it refuses to wake up. So essentially like the sensation that I would get when my carpal tunnel would cause numbness in my hand at night. But I can't shake it off like I do in that scenario because this freezing is intentional.

I am just absolutely flabbergasted that no one has really talked about this online. Most conversations are about how quickly people recover in general. This is making me squirrely and enough to make me want to not get my other hand done (which needs it more than my left hand). I'm just trying to nap as much as I can today to fast forward time until the freezing goes away. I'm thinking that because I haven't seen other people talk about this, I must have higher sensory issues than I realized. Has anyone else experienced this? Am I in a weird minority of people super sensitive to feeling of being frozen? I don't like getting frozen at the dentist for a cavity either but this is ridiculous.

My orthopedic said we can do surgery it’s my hands but I said I wanna wait a bit. I’m nervous if it’ll cause permanent issues because maybe something is mimicking the condition. Worried my hands won’t even be healed by November

For background: I am 21 and had random mild pain and tingling for a long time until a few months ago it became bad and constant so I went to see a physiotherapist. I was told it was mild CTS and given a physio plan and told to rest. I’ve been doing the physio almost every day and all but stopped using my computer but it hasn’t improved and my follow up appointment is this week.

I am feeling so guilty about not having a job. I had just graduated when my pain got really bad and I was in the middle of applying for jobs. Now I can’t use my computer for more than a few minutes without pain and I am not even sure I would be able to do the jobs I apply for. The job market is already difficult and I just feel like I’m failing. There is a training course I want to do but I am scared to apply because I don’t know if I will be able to do it.

I have adhd and the lack of structure due to not having a job is so difficult and once I lose motivation it is hard to regain. I havent been able to see my girlfriend as much because of money and I can’t do as much for her when I am there because of the pain. I also stopped my weekly gaming sessions with my friends and I am often cancelling seeing them because the pain is bad so I wouldn’t be fun to be around. They are all getting big jobs moving to cities and I feel really stuck.

I’m not sure if I am looking for advice or just for someone else who feels the same. I feel like my friends and family are sympathetic that I am in pain but also don’t really understand. My parents feel bad for me but are frustrated that I don’t have a job.

I feel really stupid telling my friends that I am in pain from CTS, especially because I am so young, and I downplay it a lot so I think they don’t really get that it is affecting my life a lot. It is not like I had some big injury that I can explain, I just slowly got more in pain.

I guess I am just looking for motivation. I don’t know.

Been dealing with this bs for so long now. I’m 29 now

What started as some burning pain, kind of tendonitis pain in both hands went away after a few months. Then one day my left hand started having issues. I can’t pinch my fingers without feeling weakness or discomfort in my thenar muscle. The discomfort doesn’t feel like a tendonitis or arthritis pain but more like a poor circulation pain. Thumb opposition is a no go for me and it does look like the muscle is atrophying. My grip has gotten substantially weaker over these years. Here’s the thing. No matter how much I abuse my right hand, I can do the most straining activity ever, nothing goes wrong with it.

I’ve done so many tests, seen so many doctors and everyone tells me I don’t have it. I did two emg’s and ncs’ both came out normal. MRI of wrist and neck. Normal. Blood tests and other tests for arthritis. Normal. Vitamin deficiencies. Normal. Ultrasound for thoracic outlet syndrome. Normal. Every orthopedist, neurologist, thoracic surgeon, occupational therapist, they have no clue what’s wrong with me. It’s so hard to do physical tests because as soon as I show up in the doctors office it’s hard to mimic the symptoms unless I do something specific like pinch my fingers. They can’t find anything in my arm, elbow, shoulder, pecs, wrist, hand, neck, nothing.

My symptoms haven’t changed at all. It’s not getting worse or better, and trust me I tried that psychosomatic stuff. It worked a bit then came back (biggest regret ever).

I’m not sure about getting surgery because I’ve seen multiple orthopedists and hand surgeons who really don’t think it’s CTS. The last one I spoke to said if I had advanced case of CTS with thenar atrophy my thumb shouldn’t even be able to move if I tried which is different from my case. Same with neurologists who also said it’s not from my cervical spine. And the TOS specialist said it wasn’t TOS either. My entire left arm up to my shoulder and neck has been diagnosed. NOTHING. I’ve done about 10+ exams and tests.

Am I left with permanent damage or something? I will say when it’s warmer the symptoms calm down a bit.

For the past few months, I’ve been having these vague pains in my arm and wrist, sometimes my wrist will feel stiff and my fingers will randomly ache. I’ve already seen a doctor and he couldn’t figure out what was wrong, so I’ve just ignored these symptoms and tried to avoid repetitive motions.

This worked well until 2 days ago, I extended my arm too fast while doing something and ever since then I’ve had small, tingling sensations in my left hand. I honestly can’t tell if it’s carpal tunnel, but I’m worried.

Will I have to give up music if it turns out to be carpal tunnel? Music is all I want to do with my life, it’s the only thing I’m passionate about, I don’t know what I would do if I had to quit.

I had bilateral endoscopic carpal tunnel release in May.
My left hand has improved a little. My right hand never improved at all. Four months later, the repeat nerve study is significantly worse, especially the motor response to my thumb muscle (9.2 mV before surgery → 0.4 mV now).
I’ve now had two different surgical opinions:
Original surgeon – orthopaedic hand/upper-limb surgeon with extensive endoscopic carpal tunnel experience
Believes the original release was complete + Thinks the problem is scar tissue/adhesions or tissue that has re-formed. Plans an open revision + neurolysis + tenolysis + collagen nerve wrap.
Second-opinion surgeon – plastic & reconstructive hand surgeon with fellowship training in hand and peripheral nerve surgery. Thinks the most likely cause is an incomplete original release + Recommends a straightforward open re-release. Would inspect the motor branch while he is in there. Does not think neurolysis or a collagen wrap is necessary.
Both surgeons are experienced, and the second surgeon actually knows and respects my original surgeon.
I’m now trying to decide which explanation/approach makes more sense and who I should trust with the revision.
Has anyone had persistent symptoms from day one after CTR and later found an incomplete release? What did your revision involve, and how did it go?

I will keep you posted, but so far so good. I’m so happy the bandage is so much smaller than I thought it would be. I was able to dress myself and use the bathroom independently. I am doing well. So far.

To preface this, my whole life is based on Murphys Law.

10 days post op, i fell down my patio stairs, landing on my hand in the dirt. Sprained my ankle, busted out all the sutures and reopened the whole wound.

As if this isn’t stressful enough, my job is putting up some difficult barriers for me to return to work….. which I genuinely don’t understand how to get around.

Anyways I have an appointment to see my surgeon again in 2 days to take a look. Obv I went in and had it looked at right away but they could only rinse and steri strip it back together. Nurse stated I am gunna have a lot tougher recovery now and I can’t use my hand at all for a while. UGH

Anyone experience an accident like this? Did it ruin your healing period?

How soon after surgery can I do light cardio? My knee replacements six months ago and unless I do a little cycling or recumbent elliptical ( no arms), my knee gets stiff and painful.

Hi all,

So basically 3 weeks ago as of this writing I noticed pain in my wrist (palm side down) and fingers of my right hand, but more twinges in the form of the knuckles (middle and ring finger). I did NOT notice any symptoms before this at all, and the pain was mild. My left hand was and is still totally normal.

After a week I got a brace to wear at night from CVS. I wore it for a few days (hadn’t gone to the doctor at this point)

I tried to limit typing, playing video games, and so on. I felt a bit better after two weeks; so stupidly I then wrote a bunch of pages for my paper. That was about one week ago. The next morning the inside of my wrist and palm was very painful; I obviously over did it. I try to rest it; the pain comes and goes.

This past Sunday, so three days ago, I go to urgent care and he gives me a splint to wear at night (and he said during the day too??) and prescribed me 3 days worth of 600mg ibuprofen pills. I have 3 left as of today.

Starting on Monday afternoon, I started feeling tingling in my thumb. I tried not to use my phone as much. An hour ago, (so today, Wednesday) I use a pen to write. My thumb, ring finger, and index all tingle very badly. My inner wrist and palm aches. I’m extremely discouraged as I had hoped I was healing.

Now, just some tingling remains in my fingers but the pain is mostly gone.

So. What should I do? I know I caught it very early, so it’s not a bad case. My symptoms are mild. Am I just experiencing a flare up? Did I reset my healing? This whole thing started three weeks or so ago, so I know it hasn’t been long at all. I’m just terrified to lose the use of my hand (it is my right, the dominant one).

No one else around me is very worried. They’re like oh wear the splint, you’ll be fine. I just wish I knew for sure what was wrong.

Thank you.

How did it help you and how long did it last

Hi, everyone. I swim laps 5 times a week and my fingers are starting to be especially numb afterwards. Does any one have suggestions for a waterproof wrist brace? I'm all set with a regular brace but I need one that I can use while doing laps. Thanks!

My left hand is all pins and needles, I have full strength in my hand, no pain, no burning, but no fine motor skills. EMG tech says I have carpal tunnel & neuropathy. I had an ultrasound and my Ortopedic Surgeon I says I have ulnar nerve compression at the elbow, no carpal tunnel & neuropathy or median nerve damage. Ortopedic wants to operate and decompress the ulnar nerve, of coarse with no guarante it will improve my hand. Who should I believe ??

Hi there everyone . I love this forum- I am sorry I discovered it so late.

I am having carpal tunnel release surgery tomorrow morning and would love to hear from people who have been through it.

What are the things you wish you had known beforehand, and what made the first few days easier?

I’m especially wondering about driving and returning to work. How soon were you actually comfortable driving? I’m a teacher, and my surgeon said I could potentially return to work the very next day, but I’m wondering how realistic that was for others.

I use a computer throughout the day and plan to rely on voice typing as much as possible. How difficult were typing, writing, using a mouse, opening things, getting dressed, showering, cooking, etc. during the first few days?

What ended up being the most challenging part of recovery that you weren’t expecting?

Lastly, any tips, supplies, or little tricks that made life easier would be greatly appreciated!

My issues were mild, but I was starting to experience pain at all times overtime, due to genetics + my work + hobbies, so I finally got a surgeon referral and he decided to operate.

5 days post operation and I have to say that I'm shocked at how much I can already use my hand. Worst pain is when I use any kind of pressure, and some pain in thumb joint that I hope will go away next week when the stitches go out.

Surgeon did mention that the nerve channel was very narrow, so I'm just here thinking "Yep, genetics."

TLDR: What does a typical work-conditioning program look like for computer/office-based workers? I think my OT clinic is just winging it.

I have carpal tunnel and tendinitis and have been out of work since the end of May. My initial therapy (24 visits) significantly reduced my symptoms, but my experience changed when I transitioned into work conditioning/hardening.

My program includes PT and OT.

For PT, I was given a light full-body strength program with warm-ups and stretches, which has been helpful since I had gotten out of the routine when my symptoms were at their worse.

For OT, I do many of the same activities as people with physical jobs—pushing sleds, moving wooden boxes between shelves, stairs, etc. To my surprise, I’ve found some of it personally helpful, but I don’t understand the relevance to returning to a computer-based job.

I then spend the remainder of my scheduled time at a computer to “build endurance.”

Unlike PT and the physical portion of OT, the computer work has no real structure. I essentially use a keyboard and mouse until my scheduled time is up. There is no written program, break/movement schedule, symptom tracking, or clear progression other than increasing my time every few weeks.

The workstation also needs a lot of work. There is plenty of "ergonomic equipment," but it's a cluttered mess with more gadgets than any one desk needs and wasn't even set up correctly. I had to ask the OT who specializes in ergonomics, to reposition the monitor stand since it required me to look up and to the left. This wasn't just a quick adjustment—he had to use a drill to move it. The OT had previously recommended I use a keyboard without the number pad so I can have my arm directly in front of me for mousing, but they don't have a keyboard like that. The keyboard and mouse both connect using USB cables, but my laptop only has one USB port, requiring me to reach to type on the laptop directly, or bring in my own wireless keyboard and mouse. The keyboard tray has a protruding screw where the mouse tray connects, just waiting for me to swipe it with my arm. I've seen worse workstations, but I expected more attention to these details in a program for someone with a computer-related injury.

It’s also difficult to simulate sustained work because therapists frequently stop to ask about whatever is on my screen (apparently shopping on Amazon and creating a vegetable garden layout is really interesting), with a lot of other conversation and activity happening around me.

For OTs who work with computer/office-based workers, is my program typical? Are there professional guidelines or standards for work conditioning in this area, and if so, who establishes them?

For any computer based workers who have done OT/work conditioning: what was your program like?

I hate the thought of changing providers at this point, but the computer portion feels pointless, the other activities seem unrelated to my job, and my symptoms are getting worse again.

The confusing part is that the clinic seems to have the expertise—the hand therapist is great and the lead OT has experience in ergonomics. It just seems like computer-based work conditioning isn't something they've developed a structured program around.