Shy Muppet

Hello.

I've been told, today, that I need to have surgery on both wrists because I've got CTS.

Has anyone had this done? Did it help? Any side affects at all??

Julz1983

My mam had and operation in March which sounds similar, she had very bad wrists and it was getting difficult to pick things up, turn taps on etc, so she had to have her wrist broken (as it would have slowly started breaking away itself and made matters worse) then re aligned, it was in a cast for 3 months, she couldn't drive far, just village to village so to speak, she was off work for 3-4 months until properly healed, everyday things she couldn't do, she said it was a nightmare trying to do her hair or have a shower etc, she went back to her consultant last month who said that wrist is now alot better but that her other one is going to need the same thing done which is supposed to be getting done by the end of this year.

I dunno if this is similar to your problem but hope it helps.

Shy Muppet

Crickey

Julz1983

The driving thing doesn't last for 3 months btw, my mam was driving longer distance after about 6 weeks, but the first few days she was pretty drowsy and would just fall asleep, I could phone her and she'd nod off lol, it is also very very painful if it gets the slightest knock, but at the end of the day it's going to be more painful not getting it done, 3 months is nothing compared to if it was left to be on going.

You will be getting both wrists done at different times won't you??

When the cast first comes off it is pretty shocking to see it, as it is all swollen and bruised and look a funny shape, but after a few weeks it dies down and starts looking like it is your hand again.

Shy Muppet

I told my GP I would think about it, but the reality is that I know I have to have this done, as it will not get any better. It was really bad when I had my baby - I couldn't even hold him

Julz1983

Get it done, you'll be a bit useless so to speak for a while, then again when you get the second one done, but if you leave it they'll just get worse and when something eventually gets done it will take twice as long to heal, or in some cases nothing can be done as it's went too far, in a way I know how you feel, I have wrist problems and hope it never comes to that but I know I would do it asap.

Just make sure you have people around to help you out until you can use your hand properly again.

scoobyboy

are you getting pins and needles in your fingers when you bend your wrists?

Jaydee5

Shy Muppet, the operation for CPS is very very simple and straight forward. You have it done as an out patient, home again the same day, a few days discomfort and inconvenience and that's the worst over. You will get one hand done at a time and definately worth the bother.

Nothing to worry about at all and if you presently have the agony of CTS at night, get it done as soon as you can.

HTH

Leslie

I know someone who had it done and is very happy with the results.

Les

rizla06

If it's only CT and they find nothing else, they'll do both wrists at same time, a few days discomfort and a few stitches in each wrist. I was back at work within a week.

Shy Muppet

I've been doing a bit of research on the net and your comments have helped too.


Thanks guys

andrewdelvard

I had the same diagnosis. They won't do both at the same time so total recovery time for both hands (depending on age as well I guess) will be about 6 months. You'll need a good strong pain killer for the first 10 days and you'll have to be very careful with it for about 3 weeks. The incision is actually in you hand and leads upton your wrist. About 6 stitches in total. I had the operation about several months ago and have just about recovered from it. ie Last week I started doing sit-ups again,without pain for the first time since the operation.
It's only been a partial success for me which left me feeling pretty gutted and has resulted in me requiring further operations to move the nerves behind my elbows. This is quite rare though and I believe 95% of all operations are a complete success.

Good luck.

Edited to say they don't put your hand in a cast. It's heavly bandadged and put in a sling.