So.... carpal tunnel

[wip3outguy7]

I recently sold an arcade stick because of the discomfort in my left hand (odd, as I mostly use my right). I haven't received a professional opinion, but I'm pretty sure it is carpal tunnel. I'm getting the usual numbness in the thumb through middle finger and experiencing the weakness that is reported in most cases. I guess it isn't too surprising. I am 32 and of the generation that uses our hands more than any one generation before us.

Yoga stretches and other methods to ease the discomfort work but the condition is obviously getting worse. Eventually it will affect my job in ways where I won't be able to ignore it anymore.

I'm thinking a professional opinion is just going to lead to surgery. So I guess I'm starting this thread to reach out to others on the forum who may have had this condition corrected. What can I expect? How long would I be without the use of my left hand? What can I expect afterward? Weakened muscles and joints? Constant physical therapy?

Thanks for reading. I appreciate any stories or advice.

[MrPopo]

I haven't had it happen to me, but it's a real workplace hazard at my office. One guy went on a six month sabbatical to recuperate, came back for a few weeks and the pain came back immediately, so he had to quit. Another guy now has to wear wrist braces at all times and has to take frequent breaks to rest. If you're starting to feel it get it evaluated right away, or it will become crippling.

[jeffro11]

My friend got surgery done, fixed the issue, recoup time is literally less then a week. He's a mechanic and thus uses his hands all day. If surgery is out of the question then there really isn't much you can do. As it gets worse your hand will fall asleep doing nothing.

[Hateshinai]

The sooner you have surgery the better. Once the muscles start to atrophy (decrease in size) it will be hard work to recover full function. Otherwise the post op recovery should be full and shouldn't take more than a week. The surgery itself is done under local anaesthesia (so you can watch if you want) and takes 15 to 20 minutes at the most. It's a really simple procedure.

[final fight cd]

you need to wear a wrist brace, especially at night. flexing your wrist will put pressure on the median nerve. human nature is to curl up at night when sleeping, which includes flexing at the wrist.

also, what do you do for a living? it sounds like you use your hands a lot. you want to limit using your hands if you can. obviously, if you can't try wearing a brace during work.

worst case scenario is surgery; they cut the flexor reticulum, basically a band that covers the wrist/finger flexors and the median nerve. this allows more room for the median nerve to 'breathe.'

[CRTGAMER]

Maybe its the mouse. You could run a Trakball along with the mouse to switch once in a while.
Another reason to break out Mame for Reactor or Centipede!

[wip3outguy7]

Thanks for the info, guys.

final fight cd, I've been doing just that, trying to keep my hand extended at night. I haven't tried a brace yet as I'm afraid to compress the tissue around my wrist. I work tech support over the phone and have done so for almost 11 years. I'm positive this is what led to the condition.

Hateshinai, I'm basically reading that surgery is the end result. This isn't the sort of thing "gets better" on its own. I will definitely want to be asleep when they do this. Fuck watching.

jeffro11, that's awesome for your friend. Good to know that down time shouldn't be too long. Luckily my work allows me to schedule things like this, if it comes to that.

CRTGAMER, if my right hand starts to go, maybe. LOL

[MrPopo]

I will definitely want to be asleep when they do this. Fuck watching.

But that's the best part! You get to see them do the cool cutty stuff and your inside parts but you don't really feel it.

[GSZX1337]

Maybe its the mouse. You could run a Trakball along with the mouse to switch once in a while.
Another reason to break out Mame for Reactor or Centipede!

I'd definitely switch to a trackball if I could find one with more buttons. (The cordless Trackman looks terrible)

I will definitely want to be asleep when they do this. Fuck watching.

But that's the best part! You get to see them do the cool cutty stuff and your inside parts but you don't really feel it.

I don't know why, but I can't stand any part of me numb being touched. It just makes me cringe.

[lisalover1]

You should have kept that arcade stick, and just used your feet to play it! Actually, if the buttons are big enough, it's feasible, and works surprisingly well. I know a guy who used this method to play games after he broke his arm.