OT: Carpal Tunnel

[jckid]

I have carpal tunnel syndrome and will be seeing a hand surgeon at the end of next month. At this point I don't know if he'll recommend surgery or not, but my regular doctor thinks it is a good possibility. Although this is a work-related issue, I have not filed a workman's comp claim. Unfortunately my employer makes life difficult for anyone that files such a claim, so I am going through my HMO to make my life easier.

I'm guessing that some of you may have had carpul tunnel surgery, and I have a couple of questions that you might be able to answer. First, I would like to hear how successful your surgery was. Second, if I do have to have surgery, I will miss up to 6 weeks of work. Will I be able to draw disability, or will I just have to take the time off without pay?

[sbornia]

I'm not a lawyer, and I don't play one on TV. But I have been on the employer-side of disability issues before, and am pretty sure that employee rights are protected in the case of workplace-related health issues -- especially in California. While you may want to go through your HMO for convenience, it may be your right to have your employer cover any medical care and/or disability leave costs associated with your injury. This is worth exploring -- check out your employee handbook, or talk to HR in confidence if you can.

[Ginger]

I'm sure you have, but have you:
Worn your wrist braces to bed every night?
Explored alternatives to surgery such as acupuncture treatment?

My sister had surgery on both wrists, now she has a trigger thumb on one hand and still has the problem with the carpel tunnel and has had to change jobs.

As far as disability goes, I believe it depends on the insurance policies where you work.

[jckid]

I'm sure you have, but have you:
Worn your wrist braces to bed every night?

I just started wearing a brace at night, and it seems to be helping a lot.

My husband also has carpal tunnel, but on the opposite hand. He has an appointment with the hand surgeon a few weeks before me. He is totally convinced that surgery will fix the problem, because he had the other hand operated on years ago and it did wonders for him. I'm always skeptical though, so I think I'll let him be the guinea pig and see how his surgery turns out. I've just heard so many mixed things about the success rates of surgery that it makes me a little leary.

[Ginger]

I just started wearing a brace at night, and it seems to be helping a lot.

My husband also has carpal tunnel, but on the opposite hand. He has an appointment with the hand surgeon a few weeks before me. He is totally convinced that surgery will fix the problem, because he had the other hand operated on years ago and it did wonders for him. I'm always skeptical though, so I think I'll let him be the guinea pig and see how his surgery turns out. I've just heard so many mixed things about the success rates of surgery that it makes me a little leary.

Which hand do you have the carpel tunnel in?

Heck, you're an athlete, you're dealing with inflammation! Gotta let it heal.

Oh...and wear the brace on the bike too. It sucks...but it has to be done (I actually picked up some bowling gloves for the bike...stealth black rather than that tan color...)
If you work at a computer at work, get that mouse moved closer to center...(and the one at home too!)
I had CT in my right (mouse) wrist years ago and I wore a brace for 6/8 weeks constantly along with adjusting my work station and it went away.
I've recently developed some signs in my left hand...but we're not sure that's CT...wearing the brace.

Good luck!
Ginger

[jhcakilmer]

IMHO, I would leave surgery as the last possible intervention. A good moto is "least invasive, to most invasive". They're could be several options that could help. A good chiroprator, or osteopathic physician, might have some therapies that could help. Unfortunately, it will not take away all the pain. But complications of surgery could be more severe.
My father has a hurniated lumbar intercalated disc, and he just deals with the pain, and I've been working on him when ever I can (Osteopathic medical student) and it has seemed to help with the pain, and mobility.
I just think it might be worth trying some alternative before going under the knife. Good Luck!

[rwsaunders]

Ask your surgeon if a brace can work first. Also do some research on your surgeon, as I know plenty of people who have negative results from "brand name" sawbones.

[gasman]

It's really simple surgery and a lot of people get great results.There is little that can go wrong except infection or the surgery not working. But, you do need to try non-surgical methods at first for at least 6-8 weeks. If you still have problems then surgery can be very helpful especially if you have significant nerve compression, entrapment and low grade ischemia of the nerve. Too bad you can really only tell that during surgery and visualizing the nerve .
Either a neurosurgeon, plastic surgeon or an orthopedic surgeon can do the surgery. Ideally you want someone who has been in practice a few years so that they have plenty of "real world" experience.

[Chad Engle]

We have a MD in the area that does endoscopic carpal tunnel release, two small incisions vs. fileting your entire palm open. Same result and most patients are back to work on Monday after a Friday surgery.

No relation of mine, his method just makes sense. Check his website. Dolf Ichtertz, MD.

I won't go into the Work Comp aspect of this as you seem to have made up your mind, yes I will, your employer owes you this benefit by law. Repercussions for filing comp claims are ILLEGAL. I hate to see you pay out of pocket AND use earned leave time when work comp would cover all of the costs, from dollar 1 and pay you for lost time if necessary.

I'll shut up now, good luck with whatever you choose.

[rdparadise]

Being in California, as an employee if to your benefit. California is one of the most supportive states regarding employees and workers compensation. I am and have been on the employer side of these things for over 20+ years. I would claim this as workers compensation and that way your earnings will be covered. Your company may have a light duty program that you may not be aware of so that you can get back to work quicker then the 6 week recovery.

Regarding the surgery, my brother had it on both wrists after working for GM building cars for several years. In hindsight he said he would not do it again.
If you work a desk job, make sure, ergonomically that your desk, pc, chair and wrists are supported properly and at the correct height for you. Your company (if large) may even have a specialist in this area to help you with desk layout, etc.

Best of luck,

Bob

[Ginger]

In Michigan, if you have the claim as workman's comp, the company that covers the workman's comp will send in a specialist to make sure your company is providing a proper ergonomic work area for you.

I have a friend who suffered from carpal tunnel here at work. After trying many different approaches, he had the surgery and it was a failure...and he's off on permenant disability...worse is that he can't even hold a screwdriver or buckle a buckle...like all surgeries: when the surgery works, it's a good thing. When the surgery doesn't work it can be bad.

[julia]

let the inflammation heal is right. . .years ago I was looking at possible surgery too on both wrists. I stopped doing the work that was causing the problem (I know that's not easy to hear when it's your job we are talking about). I wore the wrist braces at night for several months. the problem went away.