Surgery

[TreeW?rx]

Hey guys. Have any of you had Carpal Tunnel surgery? We kinda work with our hands a lot in this business. I am scheduled for surgery on Nov 20th. The doc says if I dont have the work done soon I may loose the function in my hands. I can remember when I was a kid and my mother had the surgery done, she was in a cast and doing therapy for almost 6 months. They say that it is a much shorter recovery time now. Was wondering if any of you have had it done, and if so, how long did it take to get back to work?

I hope I am stressing out over nothing.

 

[mckeetree]

Hey guys. Have any of you had Carpal Tunnel surgery? We kinda work with our hands a lot in this business. I am scheduled for surgery on Nov 20th. The doc says if I dont have the work done soon I may loose the function in my hands. I can remember when I was a kid and my mother had the surgery done, she was in a cast and doing therapy for almost 6 months. They say that it is a much shorter recovery time now. Was wondering if any of you have had it done, and if so, how long did it take to get back to work?

I hope I am stressing out over nothing.

My wife had it. Recovery was about six weeks.

 

[fishercat]

me and several people i know have it.

my step father went to see about surgery and the doctor told him to try vitamin B-6 first.he never had the surgery.mine flares up occasionally and it helps me too.i also found i was sleeping with my hands bent back so i got some braces at the drug store that keep your hand and wrist straight.i also stopped being a full time mechanic and try to keep air tool use to a minimum.i also threaten to smack anyone using the hands as hammers.

 

[Blakesmaster]

my step father went to see about surgery and the doctor told him to try vitamin B-6 first.he never had the surgery.mine flares up occasionally and it helps me too.i also found i was sleeping with my hands bent back so i got some braces at the drug store that keep your hand and wrist straight.i also stopped being a full time mechanic and try to keep air tool use to a minimum.i also threaten to smack anyone using the hands as hammers.

I've met other tree guys who use those wrist supports while sleeping. Is that a common theme in our line of work?

 

[TimberJack_7]

Yep had it done, made a huge difference, haven't had a problem since having it done. The problem with my carpal tunnel was that I had an infection in my hand that also had to be cleaned up when they did my surgery. My hand looks like Dr. Frankenstein got a hold of it but it sure does work well.

On another note, never get both hands done at the same time. Not to be funny, but you need at least one good hand to wipe your butt with (I use toilet paper) unless you have REAL close relationship with someone. That is one of those little details everyone seems to leave out in these types of situations, might want to practice that left handed before your surgery.

Downtime for me was a max of three months, but they had cut me from the middle of my palm to about 3 inches below where my wrist and hand meet, total of about a six inch cut, but that is highly unusual. I believe normal downtime may be anywhere from 4-6 weeks but the relief is immediate.

 

[treemandan]

Surgery for C T? Oh for crying out loud would you just get back to work! What's next? You want a drink of water?

No, sounds gruesome, I hope it works out. I sleep with wrist braces cause I curl my hands up under the pillow and whatnot.

 

[Magnum783]

I partner at work got it he was back to work in a week and working at full strength or some where close in a little under a week. He says he wishes he would have done it a ten years earlier. His was bad enough he would drop things all the time because his hands would cramp. I have it but mine has not gotten any worse then a once a month cramp so I am holding on for now. If it gets any worse like daily cramps I will have to give in and head in for the surgery.
Jared

 

[Dave]

I kind of enjoy the dull, throbbing ache and the tingling, but when it gets too bad the braces do help. The only thing I don't like about the braces is when I wake up I don't have enough strength in my hands to pull the velcro open. Also a good supply of naproxin sodium helps.

 

[TreeW?rx]

Thanks guys. Not stressing as much now. I will be glad when my hands dont go numb 65' up in a bucket while holdin my saw.

 

[fishercat]

i blame it more on being a mechanic for 15 years.

I've met other tree guys who use those wrist supports while sleeping. Is that a common theme in our line of work?

i suppose it could be possible from tree work as well.especially if you use Stihls a lot.

 

[Kansas]

Hey guys. Have any of you had Carpal Tunnel surgery? We kinda work with our hands a lot in this business. I am scheduled for surgery on Nov 20th. The doc says if I dont have the work done soon I may loose the function in my hands. I can remember when I was a kid and my mother had the surgery done, she was in a cast and doing therapy for almost 6 months. They say that it is a much shorter recovery time now. Was wondering if any of you have had it done, and if so, how long did it take to get back to work?

I hope I am stressing out over nothing.

Dont sweat it things have come a long ways since then!

I cant speak for the meds in your area but my wife just had one of hers done 1 1/2 weeks ago. She cleans houses and does ironing every day for people as her job and works with her hands constantly and she is dang near 100% already.

They poked 2 little holes in her hand and she sat there and watched him do it all they do is numb it and put one little cut in the palm and one over the tendon they clip in the wrist and go in thru the hole in the palm and get rid of the tendon across the wrist bones, 3 stitchs in each took them about 20 minutes and hers was real bad, she has a bandage on and thats it. She is definately going to get the other one done next it helped her so much sleeping and all.

Kansas

 

[Toddppm]

I sleep with my wrists folded up under my head too, that's supposed to be bad? They'll be numb when I wake up sometimes but goes away pretty quick.

 

[fishercat]

same here.

I sleep 't work with my wrists folded up under my head too, that's supposed to be bad? They'll be numb when I wake up sometimes but goes away pretty quick.

i think it's quite common. try the wrist braces and vitamin B6.if that doesn't work you can get the surgery.i prefer to avoid surgery as much as possible.

 

[Tree Pig]

Simple answer bring your 200t to the surgery with you, just have them cast you up with your hands around the saw. Problem solved.

 

[Toddppm]

i think it's quite common. try the wrist braces and vitamin B6.if that doesn't work you can get the surgery.i prefer to avoid surgery as much as possible.

Doesn't bother me at all, actually comfortable for me that's why I was asking. Seems to stretch those muscles out? I will not elect surgery again for anything unless in dire need.

 

[Dave]

Todd, as you get older the numbness takes longer to go away and eventually will be replaced with a slight tingle that will turn into a feeling much like putting your hand in a wood stove. Sometimes at the computer I end up typing with my pinkies because they're the only digits that still have feeling. The braces make a big difference.

 

[Magnum783]

I do wear the braces at night for mine if I have a bad flair up every now and then. That seems to make the biggest difference of anything with the least affect on the things that I want to do. I don't like being laid up so I deal with the pain most times that it appears but once or twice it has gotten so bad I have had to stop and take a break for a while. Nothing more than a soda and snacky cake couldn't cure or at least eat up some time so my body could do the healing.
Jared

 

[TreeW?rx]

Simple answer bring your 200t to the surgery with you, just have them cast you up with your hands around the saw. Problem solved.

Excellent solution. I think I am gonna do that.