Carpo-Tunnel Syndrome

[Mezzaluna]

Anytime you have sustained pain, SEE A DOCTOR. Pain is a signal, since body tissues can't talk any other way. You may well have carpal tunnel syndrome, or a milder, more acute inflammation. Do any painkillers (Advil, Tylenol, etc.) help? Your hands are your most important tools, ShowringChef. Don't neglect them any more than would your knives.

[kokopuffs]

Obviously some type of repetitive stress/motion is causing the problem.

[Isa]

You really should not ignore this. I know most people hate going to the doctor but by not doing anything about your pain you may be worsening (Is that a word?) the situation.

[kokopuffs]

Listen, painkillers will only mask the pain. Determine which activity is causing the problem. Avoid that activity. You'll need to readapt to your work and possibly eliminate the task that's causing the problem.

[holydiver]

It is definitely some type of tendinitis-carpel tunnel thing I had it a few years ago I would have it checked out big time.

[Pastachef]

You definitely should see a doctor. Have you tried a wrist brace? I've heard many people complain of the same type of thing. It happens to me if I'm on the computer a lot. It could be simple or serious. Only your doctor can tell you. Good luck.

[Svadhisthana]

My mother worked in a college cafeteria and develpoed carp., see a doctor as soon as possible, and in the meantime, wear a brace on your wrist. They can be picked up at any local drug store.

A friend of mine had the same thing from years of knitting... Go see a Dr.... he gave her braces to wear at night and some instructions that were simple... like where to keep her elbows while she was knitting, that really made a difference! Eventually she may need surgery, but it is better for now!!

[thebighat]

I have permanent stiffness in my right wrist from holding down helpless food while I cut it with the French knife in my left hand. Think of how your wrist is bent, sometimes for hours a day. I also developed severe tendonitis in my right wrist from shaking frying pans and have tried heavy-duty non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, both otc and prescription, and finally acupuncture. I don't saute or swing a knife for a living anymore, but I have lost strength and mobility. Get to a doctor- you can't work like that and drugs will make it better. The wrist brace is a good idea, and don't try to lift anything unsupported with that arm.

[ June 20, 2001: Message edited by: thebighat ]

[isaac]

dont ignore your body. ignoring is means your abusing it. your body is what has kept you going.... TREAT IT WELL.

I am experiencing some difficulty with my hand and wrist lately. I don't have time to see a doctor...mainly cuz the nearest town is an hour away. I think it may be Carpo..what do you guys think? I come home from work and my wrist is really sore..especially after a long day. I can't even make a tight fist. The other day I couldn't even lift the coffee pot. My hand is really stiff and tight and some days the pain goes up my arm to my elbow. I feel it especially if I have been working the char broiler for a long period of time...I can barely grasp my tongs in my hand! Is there anything that can be done for it? Or will I be wasting a trip to the doctor to hear...well, there's really nothing we can do anyway?

[kokopuffs]

BigHat:

Drugs won't make it better; they only mask the pain. Again, it is repetitive motion/stress that's causing the problem. Avoiding the source of the problem is part of the cure. The biomechanical effects are sometimes irreversible requiring surgery.

Do Not get surgery. Traditional C-T surgery has a less than 10% sucess rate and it can result in paralysis and irreversable numbness. The drugs will also eventually make it worse as you continue to irritate the inflamed tendons and tissues. My wife is a liscenced massage therapist. She absolutely cured my symtoms of C-T in about 5 weeks with a series of massages and some easy stretches that you can do on the line in between pick ups. Pain free w/o licit drugs. Check out Repetitive Use Injury Therapies (RUIT) providers in yout area

[Nicko]

I have also experienced this but not until I made the switch from the kitchen to the computer. Has anyone heard about Prolo therapy? I have been hearing that this offeres a lot of relief from this type of pain, but I don't know enough about it or have not talked with enought people to know if it really can help.

[Svadhisthana]

You can find some good articles on www.webmd.com and also www.mayohealthclinic.org