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Subject:Re: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome From:Marilynne Smith <mrsmith -at- CTS -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 19 Aug 1997 17:23:44 -0700
At 02:45 PM 8/19/97 -0700, Kevin Montgomery wrote:
>This is, perhaps, anecdotal. Still something to consider.
>
>My wife has commented several times that many clients of the physical
>therapy clinic where she works are receiving treatment following CT
>surgery. Many, she says, have had surgery to wrists, elbows, and shoulders
>without achieving substantial relief from their original symptoms. The
>reason, according to the PTs, is that the original malady was misdiagnosed
>as CT! The actual cause of the CT-like symptoms is impingement on a
>cervical nerve caused by spinal disc damage or degeneration, or by nothing
>more than bad posture. The perceived discomfort and weakness in the hands
>and wrists actually originates in the spine around the C5 or C6 vertebrae.
>
>Carpal tunnel syndrome is so popular today that it's the quick-and-dirty
>diagnosis of choice for both doctors and laypeople. Consider, though, that
>your problem may be something else. If nothing else, insist on nerve
>conduction studies to locate the nerve problem prior to any surgery.
>
>As to posture as a cause, I'm a believer! I suffered from extremely painful
>neckaches for years. An MD diagnosed probable arthritis -- no relief. A
>chiropractor cracked my neck and sacked my wallet -- no help. Then, I
>married a physical therapist who started hounding me about my posture --
>the problem cleared up quickly ('course, my wallet is still empty <g>).
>
>-Kevin
>
I agree with that Kevin. I had pain shooting clear up to my shoulder. I
saw a neurosurgeon who said it was irritation of the ulnar nerve and to
look at how I worked. I found that I was leaning on the edge of my desk
(on the ulnar nerve) and holding my pencil in my hand, for hours every day.
When I forced myself to put the pencil down and to not lean on the edge on
my desk, the symptoms gradually went away. It was not an instant cure.
I also took a lot of B vitamins.
Marilynne
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Marilynne Smith
Writing, Editing, and Online Documentation
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