NS is Referring Me to Hand Surgeon

[Kathi49]

And that's the scoop for the day! :)

Actually, this was a followup from having had the cervical MRI done in January. I just couldn't get from Point A to Point B because of the weather.

Anyway, yes, there are two protusions but nothing warranting surgery YAY! I thought I would go in there and he would have some bad news.

But he thinks or rather mentioned that I could have this double crush thing going on and is referring me to the Hand Center (across the street from the Spine Group). Oops, and yes I was diagnosed with slight Carpal Tunnel in the right arm and he did say that Carpal Tunnel can refer pain to the first three fingers and up the forearm like it is doing with me. Anyway, it might be a wild goose chase but I think he is just trying to rule some things in or out. And yes, he did that tap test; felt some tingling in my middle fingers.

So, that's that. Just though I would give an update as I go along. :) I am just happy that he didn't say the C6/C7 is going.

[Mark N]

I hope the trip to the hand doctor narrows down what is going on with your pain. At least you have some warm weather this week to get it done. I had an NS tell me my numb fingers were due to carpal tunnel too but I haven't done anything to cause it and mine came about as my cervical spine got worse so I doubt mine is from carpal tunnel problems.

[Kathi49]

Thanks Mark,

I don't think you really have to do anything to cause it. Menopause is listed as one thing that could bring it about. :D My three fingers aren't numb they just ache and hurt to bend. Anyway, my NS was speaking of the median nerve but NEVER said it was NOT from my neck...said it could be a double crush deal. And I forgot to add yesterday that I have a ganglion cyst in my left wrist. It is not large at all but it can bug me from time to time. I do appreciate the fact that he is having me check it out since my Neurologist said I had mild carpal tunnel in the right and that was diagnosed over a year ago. At the time she said it was slight...so who knows. :) I think it is a good idea to at least get it checked out.

[Bobbi]

That's what my NS said I have, Kathi: Double Crush.

I was pretty naive, that's for sure. He Rx'd a collar and said I should wear it 24:7 (except in water). My PT, at the time, discovered that wearing it as Rx'd was decreasing my ROM even more... like that's what I needed.

The doc you'll be seeing will probably do JAMAR testing and a few other things.

[slipnslide]

Kathi,

It's good that you are getting it checked out to either rule it in, or rule it out.;) It's been a long time so I don't know if you remember that about half a year after my ACDF, I too was send to a hand & arm surgeon. The surgeon said it's possibly bilateral CTS but with bilateral Ulnar Neuropathy too, he felt both were more likely coming from somewhere between the neck and shoulders. Based on my experience, I think you may get a CTS diagnosis, but they may not be able to pinpoint where the entrapment is occurring.:( Good luck at the Hand Center.:)

Kim

[Kathi49]

Thanks for the info. Bobbi. Can you explain what JAMAR testing is?

Kim,

I know what you mean by not being able to determine where the entrapment is. I have a friend that is sort of going through the same thing. And thanks, I will post back after my appointment whenever that will be. Oh, and I do have a follow up with my NS AFTER this hand appointment deal.

[Bobbi]

It's for measuring grip strength.

Jamar dynamometer test:

http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijs/vol5n2/strength.xml

[Nana4&cntn]

Kathi, My PM does the grip strength test each time I go in, sometimes it is worse sometimes not. I have had Carpal Tunnel Release on both hands. Are you having major swelling,numbness, pain up to the elbow that no matter what you try, nothing stops it?

The reason I ask is these are all of the symptoms I had befor having surgery. Please think alot before going into surgery, I still have some symptoms due to scar tissue and one side where the surgeon screwed up.

Please check the references of the NS very closely and that they only do hands.

Sorry to be a bummer here, I just want you to be absolutely positive you may need surgery.

[Kathi49]

Okay, got it Bobbi...thanks! :) I haven't ever used a device like that BUT my docs have tested my strength in other ways. So far I guess I have normal strength but I'll see what the Hand Center says and does.

Kathy,

No, no swelling or numbness just achy pain and neuro pain...sometimes some burning. Basically it runs from the base of my neck sometimes but I notice it more and more on top of my forearms. And no, not severe. It just seems to come and go but ALWAYS my first three fingers hurt. Oh, and no surgery is in the works at all for right now. And my NS is referring me to a Neuro hand guy; I forgot to mention that. I was listening closely because I wanted to see if he would name the same doc that did my friend's arm. And it isn't the same guy. So, this makes an Ortho doc for my shoulder, my NS and now the Hand Center dude LOL! And I'll be careful. :)

[kimaesha]

I had this hand surgery last 3 months. It was so successful. Thanks to my surgeon. He might help you the same way he helped me. Just refer to this site: hand surgeon (http://doctorfinders.com/hand-surgeon.php)

God Bless and Have a Nice Day!

[mcdan]

Kath
A good way to know if its the CTS is if your pain is worse in the the morning with a numbing .... tingling feeling.. I had both my hands done with trigger release of the middle fingers about (2) years ago. Havent had a problem since... Good luck with the hand specialist.
Dan

[Kathi49]

I think I better respond since it has been awhile. :)

The trigger thumb release surgery went very well! The worst part of it was holding my hand up for 3 days or so...more annoying than anything else. So, I did as they said to do; exercises, etc. and I did manage to pop one stitch out LOL! But I am now all healed up and my thumb works just fine. Just a tiny bit tender. Oh, and mcdan, there is a slight bit of tingling still but it gets less and less each day. The only problem is...I am going to have to have the right thumb done too...maybe this Fall. It's bad but not horrible yet; not like the left one was. I am just trying to get through the summer.

[slipnslide]

Kathy,

It's nice to hear the surgery went well!:) Congrats! I was wondering if it also took care of the pain up your arm?

Kim

[Kathi49]

Thanks Kim and where have you been? :)

I am not feeling any pain up or down my arms right now. Every once in a great while I will feel some tingling from the CTS (forgot to tell McDan that) if I grasp something a certain way or brush my wrist up against something. But, no, not out and out noticeable. And, oh, PT for that frozen shoulder bit helped quite a bit. But, you know how it goes...one thing gets taken care of and something else shows up. :rolleyes::)

[Mark N]

Kathi, it is good to hear the surgery was a success and the numbness is declining each day. I hope you continue to do well with the recovery and no new pains result.

[slipnslide]

Kathy,

I have not been on here very often lately, but when I do come on, I mostly read posts(lurk...lol).:)

I try to keep up with what is going on with everyone but I sometimes miss posts due to the usual exhaustion:o.