Watch out for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

About 3-4 weeks back i started experiencing severe pain in my
wrists in both hands but more pronounced on my right wrist. I went to a doctor and preliminary diagnosis is carpal tunnel syndrome.  I have been asked to get Nerve Conduction Tests to see whether it is really CTS or  Tendonitis. I and my wife did some research on the internet  and looked up a number of  articles on the subject. Please read this very informative article on CTS
I did and do the simple exercise described in this article. Gave me a lot of relief. I wear  “Wrist Stabilizers” which i bought from a drug store on both hands. This is also very helpful in controlling and reducing pain. I bought 2 types – out of that ACE brand worked out best for me. If you suspect that you have CTS, you can do Phalen’s test  described here.    You can do this test at home. If you fail this test, please rush to a doctor. While i was trying various things my wife came across this brilliant article on tendonitis prevention.   As i read this article i realized i did every one of the DONTs that Thomas Wang
has described. I have now changed my posture, put the keyboard in a draw to make it sit above my lap, put the monitor at eye level. I am using a keyboard with an integrated mouse because my wrists were hurting if i used a regular mouse. i am feeling much better. more to come after my nerve conduction tests.

Comments

  1. Anonymous said July 20, 2004, 12:10 pm:

    Divya (my wife) has tendinitis on her wrists and does the contrast bath to alleviate this problem. This involves soaking the wrist in hot and cold water alternatively for one minute, and this is done for a total of about 6-8 minutes. This improves the blood circulation on her wrists, which helps healing, and she does this about twice a day.

    Suku, I guess the best thing would be to take corrective action immediately, and diligently perform the exercises and therapies suggested.

  2. Anonymous said July 21, 2004, 3:33 pm:

    Suks,

    Do not go in for any crazy operation that the doctor suggests. I have heard horrible stories.

    There is only one long nerve that goes to your shoulder . Sometimes I get shoulder or neck pain instead of the wrists. watch out for that too.

    Use an ergonomic chair and do the basics of not sitting and typing for an entire day. walk around and flex yoru wrists.

    kg

  3. Anonymous said July 23, 2004, 9:09 pm:

    thanks KG

  4. Anonymous said September 23, 2007, 1:03 pm:

    Very useful post Sukumar. But can you also put, what activity made you get those symptoms?