Cprs in foot, now have carpel tunnel problem?
 

Hi all. I have cprs in my foot for 1.5 years. I didn't have an injury that I can identify, but the docs think I had a tarsal tunnel entrapment originally, which is now better.

Now I am having pain in my right hand, which appears to be a carpel tunnel problem. I recently changed desks at work, and my job involves a lot of typing, so it make sense. I don't have any other cprs symptoms in my hand... No swelling, temp changes, etc. and the pain is not a all like in my foot.

The doc gave me a brace to wear at night and other activities that are causing pain, mostly when I type and drive. Now, I know that immobilization is not good for people with cprs, but the brace seems to be helping. I've been using it for about a week, at night and a little bit during the day (luckily am on vacation from work). So, since the brace is helping, I think having less pain in my hand is more of a "pro" than the immobilization is a "con" when it comes to potential spread of cprs. What do you think?

(By the way, I am also taking 1 mg vitamin C a day)

If I were you, I would definitely wear the brace.

Immobilization isn't good for the limb/area that you have CRPS but as you don't have CRPS in your hand, I think the risk vs reward question would lean towards using the brace and treating the carpal tunnel.

You don't want the carpal tunnel to progress to a point where you would need surgery for it; that would be your biggest risk for spreading the CRPS in my opinion.

I'd also be sure that your workstation is set up ergonomically. When I worked at my last position, we actually had an ergonomic specialist who went around at least once a year and did an evaluation of each employees work station to determine if proper ergonomics were being followed; it really is very important.....as they say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"! :)

Things as simple as being sure your monitor/screen is at the right height, that your hands/wrists are at the correct position, etc.

Good luck to you and keep us posted!

If your carpal tunnel pain is lessened, it is less inflammatory for your CRPS pain...it's a chain reaction thing - if you have pain somewhere for a length of time, the CRPS is more likely to flare up in response to it. So controlling the one pain will help with your CRPS symptoms.

It's a delicate balancing act. Keep the braced area moving gently as often as you can, have a regular break from the brace and let the air get to the skin as well. All that will help reduce the chance of the CRPS getting unhappy.

I don't like braces with CRPS, but sometimes, if used sensibly, they can ease a lot of the pain if it is primarily being caused by an underlying mechanical issue like your carpal tunnel syndrome.

I take a 500 mg vitamin C tablet every day to help minimise spread :) Do you mean you are taking 1g? (2 tablets) :winky:

Take care and hope you have a better day tomorrow.

Bram.

Thanks both of you. The brace is definitely working, so I'll keep it on when I need it but still make sure my wrist doesn't stiffen up. There is also an ergonomics consultant at my job. I think I have to apply to have them come to my workstation. I just applied for a new job, so maybe I won't need to! (Wish me luck!)

Bram- you are right - I meant 1 gram, not 1 mg. I got some 250 mg gummy Vitamin C, and I am chewing four a day - 1 g total. I had been taking 2 a day, but I doubled up while my wrist hurts.

B12
 

You might also want to have some blood work done to make sure you have a sufficient B12 level. A significant deficiency can cause serious finger/hand problems.

Thanks for the info about b12. I go back in a few weeks and will ask then.

Have you been to a pt to learn hand exercises? That's a good idea IMO. ;)

That is also a good idea. I haven't been to pt yet. The doc wanted me to try the brace for a month and see. It has been 2 weeks, so I'll ask about pt when it go back in 2 weeks. I am not getting pt for my foot right now because I don't need it.

Hi. I would suggest getting an ergonomic keyboard and vertical mouse at work. My employer provided them for me but even if you have to buy them yourself, I think it is worth the money.

I do not have a carpal tunnel problem but I had torn cartilage in my wrist from too much typing/mouse work. If you are interested, I can give you links for the keyboard and mouse I have at work.

Kim

People with tarsal tunnel and/or carpal tunnel should get a complete thyroid workup. Low thyroid can cause this.
Hypothyroid patients deposit mucin in the tissues and this compresses nerves.

Kim - yes, could please provide the link for the keyboard and mouse? I need to get an assessment at work, and maybe it will go easier if I have some info up front. I can't get the assessment it yet, because apparently I am changing desks again soon (third time in past year) so they said they would wait until I move to my new desk.

MrsdD - that is very interesting about the thyroid. They never were able to confirm tarsal tunnel was the original cause of my CRPS in my foot, but that is their best guess. The orthopedist and pain doc both want me to use a shoe insert to prevent it from happening again. I use one, but frankly would rather not. It makes my pain worse. If I have hypothyroid, would getting that treated also treat the carpel tunnel and prevent further tarsal tunnel problems? I realize it won't treat my CRPS, but maybe I can dump the shoe insert?

Hi,

This is the mouse I have:
http://www.evoluent.com/vm3.html

This is the keyboard I have:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en...-keyboard-4000


I also have Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software.

It was the HR rep that suggested the keyboard and voice recognition software. My physiotherapist recommended the vertical mouse and my employer happily provided it. I think they hadn't offered it to me because they weren't familiar with it. But once I told them my physiotherapist suggested it, they ordered one straight away.

I hope your assessment goes well. :)