UKC

Not sure if this is in the right forum but anyway....

I've been experiencing numbness in both my hands most nights for about 7-8 months now, which wakes me up (eventually) and I have to shake it out.

SonyaD said she thought this might be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome so I have had a wee look on the tinternet, and sure enough it does sound like it is.

Has anyone experienced this and if so what have they done to try to ease it? Are there climbing specific excercises I can do or should I be on a constant source of anti - inflamatories or something? Or - has anyone tried something holistic like acupuncture?

Any thoughts/ advice gratefully received - do not want this getting to the stage where I need to get an op and take months off climbing!!!!

In reply to MelH:

I went to the doctors with symptoms like this and it was diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. I thought that they'd maybe give me splints or something, I'd been wearing mtb wrist guards overnight because these seemed to keep my wrists in a good position which helped a little. But they said they'd refer me for operations straight away! I thought it was a bit drastic but was told that the sooner they operate the more successful the outcome and anything else to help was just putting off the inevitable.

In the end it didn't matter because at the same time they upped my thyroid medication and that stopped the carpal tunnel symptoms.

In reply to MelH:

Yes, this has been covered several time before. Do a search on Carpal Tunnel...

I suffer from it but much improved after I stopped using a PC mouse a few years ago - though grip still fairly weak. I would waken in the middle of the night with my wrist curled under and in extreme agony. Lost my grip strength and couldn't open jars, undo knots or Krabs. Given a brace to use at night. The thumb muscle wasted a lot and I had pin and needles. Had nerve conductivity test and offered possible wrist slicing operations. Declined after horror stories and the fact that the consultant had trouble with working out left and right!!! Problem probably caused due past wrist damage and scar tissue from climbing accident and aggravated by RSI mouse movements and too much climbing....

In reply to MelH: I used to get this from simply holding my hands on my chest during sleep, and stopped it by moving my hands to my sides whenever it happened. It might have been caused by tension/stress but, whatever the cause, putting my hands in a different position got rid of the problem. Worth a try. Avoid unncessary medical intervention.
Lyle

In reply to MelH: I am a medical student in Aberdeen and my advice is that the first person you should be seeing about this is your GP, not searching for advice on UKC. To put things in perspective a little, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. This nerve supplies various muscles including those of the "thenar emminence" which are responsible for much of the movement of the thumb, including oppositon of the thumb - as in pinching. Hence, damage to the median nerve can severely compromise the movement of the thumb. Imagine trying to climb without being able to do this or even just trying to carry out simple day to day tasks. On this note, I would ignore any advice that describes treatment as "unneccessary". Sorry if I've sounded patronising but I hope I've been helpful and please go and see your GP for your own good.

In reply to stephenmckenzie:
yes in severe cts the muscles are effected but in milder cases they are not. So yes in some cases it can compromise the muscles of the thumb.

I some cases all that is needed is use of a resting splint overnight you can buy these. If no better definately go to a GP to get full neuro check and check for underlying condition.

as for treatment not all need ops. steriod injection can help.

to the orininal OP don't panic but if its not settling see you GP esp if your grip is effected.

kat a GP and a CTS suffer.

In reply to MelH:

sounds like cts alright. go to your gp as you need to check there is no treatable cause which will reduce the swelling within the carpal tunnel.
if not - most common scenario - the options are to get the surgery, one wrist at a time, which can be done under a local or regional anasthetic, and takes about 30 mins. recovery is quick. all the surgeryn involves is cutting through the fascia which contains the carpal tunnel, so opening it up and releasing the pressure from your median nerve.
other options are splinting but we have found it works in milder cases, but not the more advanced cases... anyway, a hand surgeon can help make that decision. risk of surgery is some people find the scar can be quite sensitive and it can be problematic healing - it is the skin at the base of your palm and end of your wrist, not big (5cm) but some people get quite sensitive skin there when the scar heals...
risk of ignoring it is over time the nerve gets compresed and blood supply reduced, which can eventually cause irreversible damage.
i am a surgeon and a climber and would definately go the surgical route if it was me...

In reply to jussy:
these are the evidence based guidance from the cks on treatment and referral

http://www.cks.nhs.uk/carpal_tunnel_syndrome/management/quick_answers/scena...

http://www.cks.nhs.uk/carpal_tunnel_syndrome/management/quick_answers/scena...


Offer referral for consideration of corticosteroid injection or for surgical treatment if:
The symptoms are severe or constant, or there is severe sensory disturbance and/or thenar motor weakness.
There is progressive motor or sensory deficit.
There is no improvement within 3 months with conservative treatment.

In reply to MelH:
here is a link to so reliable patient infomation

http://www.cks.nhs.uk/carpal_tunnel_syndrome/management/quick_answers/scena...

In reply to kat rivett: link not working properly - you can click side to get the patient information but I copied it any way


Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a relatively common condition that causes pain, numbness, and a burning, or tingling, sensation in your hand and fingers.

Symptoms of CTS can range from mild to severe.

The carpal tunnel

The carpal tunnel is a small tunnel that runs from the bottom of your wrist to your lower palm.

Several tendons pass through the carpal tunnel, which help to move your fingers. The median nerve also passes through the tunnel and this controls sensation and movement of your hand.

The nerve and tendons are protected by a ridge of bone and ligaments. In cases of CTS, the space inside the tunnel shrinks, placing pressure on the median nerve. Compression of the nerve results in symptoms of pain and numbness.

How common is CTS?

CTS is one of the most common conditions affecting the nerves of the hand. It is estimated that almost 5% of women and 3% of men have CTS. Most cases of CTS develop in people who are between 45-64 years of age.

CTS is also common in pregnant women. This may be due to the fluid retention that often occurs during pregnancy placing additional pressure on the carpal tunnel.

Prognosis

The likely prognosis of CTS seems to depend on the severity of symptoms.

People with mild to moderate symptoms usually respond well to non-surgical treatment, such as wrist splints and corticosteroids injections. However, more severe cases usually require surgery to reduce the pressure on the median nerve.

Cases of CTS that occur during pregnancy usually resolve after the birth.

Left untreated, CTS may lead to permanent nerve damage.

In reply to MelH: Some years ago I started to experience similar symptoms and went to my GP who referred me to a consultant. In the end, following an MRI scan I was actually diagnosed as having a prolapsed disc in my neck.

With this condition the soft tissue of the disc squeezes out from between the vertebrae and pinches on the nerves causing symptoms almost identical to Carpel Tunnel syndrome.
Don't just assume you have CTS, see your GP!

In reply to kat rivett: Cheers kat. My main point here is that I think if there is any sort of doubt about things like this that you should go and see your GP. I am aware that not all cases are of such a severe nature but the safest option is surely to go and see your GP and get their advice. Please correct me if you think I'm wrong on this.

In reply to all:

Thanks everyone for the info. I guess I will have to go to the doctors - just hate having to go unless it is 100% nescessary. I sometimes find the GP very unhelpful - apologies to other GPs but this is just my experience of my surgery.

I just didn't think it was serious as I only get the symptoms at night so thought I could maybe just avoid a visit to the doctor. Also, hadn't thought of these as symptoms but - I do get pins and needles in my right hand after prolonged use of computer (mouse hand). The only other thing was last year when I had been climbing 4+ times a week I became a bit clumbsy and kept dropping things. Are these things also related?

Also is it likely to be something completely different if some nights I get the numbness in all of my fingers as opposed to thumb and next two?

Sorry I know the advice was to visit GP but I wanted to be armed with some knowledge before I get told nothing is wrong with me by the doctor.

Kat - how serious is your CTS? Did you have all of the symptoms above (if they are even related)?

In reply to MelH: Dropping things, pins and needles also signs of CTS. But........numbness in the other fingers isn't. You NEED to bite the bullet (be a good girl, lol! <dinnae slap me fir bein' patronisin now,lol!>) and go see your GP. If you don't like him/her, go see another GP, there's hopefully one GP you'll like at your surgery? Pity you couldn't register at Brechin Surgery cos they've got several excellent GP's there!

Might not be CTS, you can have a trapped/irritated nerve anywhere along it's course, either neck, shoulder, elbow or wrist. Best to get it checked.

In reply to SonyaD:

"Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a relatively common condition that causes pain, numbness, and a burning, or tingling, sensation in your hand and fingers."

yes it is please see info above

In reply to kat rivett: I've been led to believe that the pinky and one side of ring finger are controlled by the Ulnar nerve and not the Median nerve. Can compression of the Median nerve at the wrist cause symptoms in these fingers also?

In reply to SonyaD:
only palmer surface thumb, index, middle and 1/2 ring and round onto nail areas only.

Thats why if you lean on you elobws on the arms of a hard chair you get numbeness/tingling in you little and other half ring finger (she says imagining people going off to try it)

In reply to kat rivett:
forgot to say latter is due to ulnar nerve

In reply to MelH:

Certainly get it checked out by a good doctor and let them know the whole history. I'd be wary of arriving at your GP's clinic with a whole wad of internet printouts though and GP's opinions will vary!! A lot of what you describe is similar to what I've experienced, such as dropping things etc. As a few folk have mentioned there could be many other causes and possible solutions before even thinking about surgery.

In reply to MelH: First seek professional advice. However a little personal experince.My girlfriend had CTS grade 4 had a CT decompression op 6 weeks off climbing and was back climbing 7a within a couple of months of the op. Unfortunately the other one is now in need of an op! Still gives me a chance to catch up!