Anyone experience carpel tunnel or tennis elbow?

[GOS_Queen]

Right after Thanksgiving, I was "stricken" with tennis elbow ~ of course, I'm right handed and it's my right arm ... I'm now onto my third DR ... wearing a tennis elbow brace ... taking Rx drugs ...probably getting a cortisone shot on Wednesday...I've had to restrict my work activities (I couldn't twist a screwdriver or manipulate hand tools for 2 weeks ... now I have a little more mobility) ...

My optical mentor had severe carpel tunnel and had 3 surgeries ... my carpel tunnel is quite mild but the tennis elbow is maddening !!

Anyone else ??


Karen :o

[Clive Noble]

Hi Karen

Yup!!! Last year I finally had surgery on my right hand for carpel's tunnel syndrome and a trigger thumb that was locked open

I'd been putting it off for more than 15 years, yes, I was a coward and suffered badly. The final push to have it done was that I couldn't play the guitar any more.... never mind dropping screwdrivers, screws and lenses during work.

It was so successful that after 6 months, I went back to the surgeon and had the left hand operated on also.

One year later, it's impossible to see where the operation was done, the surgeon cut along a natural line of the hand and everything is working very well, oh yes, there was nothing to be scared of either, lovely surgery, beautiful nurse, great music in the background and a sweet cuppa tea afterwards.

The worst part was being driven home by my dear wife..... I'm not a good passenger

Good luck!!!

Clive

[CuriousCat]

I developed tennis elbow, or more accurately "mouse elbow" several years ago and a pretty healthy shot of cortisone worked wonders.

[JennyP]

Clive,
How long did you have restricted use of the hand following surgery? (Am thinking about the tasks we perform: adjustments, repairs, etc, not heavy lifting or exercise, but still need strength, precision, and flexibilty.) I may have to get my right hand done before summer and wondered how long is average to allow for recovery. Did talk to a lady not too long ago who had the surgery back in early 90s and was very unhappy with the result. She was NOT in optical. I have been hoping for some help with the pain I've been having, but was scared of not getting a good result.

GOS Queen, good luck with the elbow!

[DocInChina]

Hi Karen,

I developed tennis elbow a few years ago...in both elbows. It was awful and it effected every facet of my life. I could not turn a door knob, button a shirt, pull on my shoes, etc. It took 2 years to resolve after much physical therapy and numerous cortisone shots (ouch). You might want to consider a arm sling so that you can rest your arm and give it time to heal.

I hope you recover soon.

Doc

[chip anderson]

Personally I have had this several times, often bad enouch to prevent sleep at night. Usually, wearing a carpal tunnell brace for the wrist and forearm (available at any drugstore and labeled for same) for a few weeks or less makes the problem go away.

Chip

[Clive Noble]

Hi Jenny, I actually went back to work 2 days after the procedures even though the doc was prepared to give me 10 days off..... I thanked him very much but said I had a business to run.

It wasn't easy for the first couple of months and the strength has come back over the year, I can now open difficult screw lids on jars and no problem with cutting thick s/steel temples, but putting screws into frames and tightening was no problem even after a week or two, however taking out and springing in lenses into zyl frames was a bit difficult for a couple of months.

Here's a picture after 6 weeks and after 12 months..... I'll spare you the one I took 2 days after the operation.... a bit gruesome!!

[jewel]

Hi Karen

Yup!!! Last year I finally had surgery on my right hand for carpel's tunnel syndrome and a trigger thumb that was locked open

I'd been putting it off for more than 15 years, yes, I was a coward and suffered badly. The final push to have it done was that I couldn't play the guitar any more.... never mind dropping screwdrivers, screws and lenses during work.

It was so successful that after 6 months, I went back to the surgeon and had the left hand operated on also.

One year later, it's impossible to see where the operation was done, the surgeon cut along a natural line of the hand and everything is working very well, oh yes, there was nothing to be scared of either, lovely surgery, beautiful nurse, great music in the background and a sweet cuppa tea afterwards.

The worst part was being driven home by my dear wife..... I'm not a good passenger

Good luck!!!

Clive

I have a mild case of carpel tunnel as well. I play the bass guitar and by the time I'm done playing for an hour, my right hand really feels it. I've just been ignoring it. I worry more about being able to play the guitar then using a screw driver.
I've never heard of tennis elbow or mouse elbow. Does it go numb as well?

jewel