I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my left hand March of last year, and two months later, had my right hand done too. I'd had carpal tunnel syndrome for probably fifteen years. My left hand had gone from mild carpal tunnel to severe in just six months and my right hand was moderate to severe.

The surgery was successful, and for the past year I was enjoying not waking up with my hands and arms numb and painful. Until recently. For the last few months, about two to three times a week, I wake up and one of my hands will be totally numb, stiff, and very painful (how something can be numb and painful at the same time just baffles me!) Usually on the mornings when this happens, I will also wake up with a lot of pain in my left rib cage, both front and back. Sometimes it feels like an elephant has been dancing on my ribs!

I drop stuff all the time too. I'll think I'm holding an object, and next thing I know, I'm looking down in surprise at it on the ground. This happens with both hands and just started within the last few months too.

Has anyone else had carpal tunnel release surgery and later had a return of symptoms? Or do you think it's related to whatever this neurological problem is that I have (I haven't been diagnosed with MS yet, though my symptoms are identical and my doctors both feel that I have MS.) I have an appointment with the MS specialist next week, and I'll talk with her about this, but I wanted to ask you fine folks about it too.

Hugs,

Lisa

Yes I had my left hand done even though I am a righty. The cortisone shots worked for my right hand, but made the left more painful!

You can't tell I had any surgery. The doctor went in a wrinkle in the palm.

Are you using your hands alot? Even though you had the surgery, you can still aggravate it. When I teach hand sewing and how to make an ugly knot, mine starts to act up.

Then I wear the brace with a betaseron refrigerator gel pad inside and switch them off as they warm up. In a few days I am feeling better.

Hope this helps.

i had 1 hand done in the 80's. great success. no trouble.
i had my other hand done a yr or so ago. great success. but by 18mos i was having some sx's again. one option is to live with it. the other is to redo the surgery which i'd never do unless the nerve impingement was severe. you don't want that because it can decrease the function of your hand.

one thing i'd ask for is an emg of your hands and arms.
they can tell if it's MS and nerve related or CT. that way there's no guessing.
don't take any chances when it comes you your hands.

we need those darn it!