I'm new here, I had CTS confirmed by EMG/nerve conduction study when I first started having problems with my right hand and wrist. I had CTS plus
trigger finger release surgery on my right hand done in 2006. Well things got worse after the surgery, I started having burning pain, major swelling, sweating and my hand turned bright red in color. At first my Dr. thought it was recurrent CTS.

I had another EMG/NCS which came back negative, so I had an MRI. The MRI showed that my median nerve is enlarged but my Dr. told me I had RSD, but he wanted a second opinion. I was then seen by another hand specialist who also said RSD. I was referred to a pain management Dr. who told me I had all the classic signs and symptoms of RSD.

All three of my Drs. told me that just because the median nerve is enlarged that does not mean I have CTS especially since the EMG/NCS came back negative. So after reading the link Sandel provided I'm wondering if I may have CTS that is a result of the RSD that occured after the CTS surgery!?! The Worker's comp. Dr. is saying recurrent CTS. So worker's comp. won't let me have a Stellate Ganglion Block. So do you think it is possible I may have CTS as a result of the RSD? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated .
Sorry I wrote a short novel here.

Hi,

I reckon there *is* one way to decide whether any RSI/RSS/CTS is "true" or a form of RSD, and that is to ask yourself how much you've used the affected limb. In my case I'm quite surprised I didn't get RSI sooner, I use the mouse so much that my hand, by rights, should have fallen off by now, LOL. Overuse? Repetitive movement? If that doesn't factor into your medical history, then look elsewhere, if it does, then it's true RSI/RSS/CTS etc.

all the best!

Thanks for the reply, yes that does fit into my medical history, I was working as a Dental Assistant so i was constantly using my hands in repetitive motions all the time. The first EMG/NCS showed that i had severe CTS in my right hand (my dominant hand) and mild CTS in my left hand. The trigger finger developed about 2 weeks before I had the surgery. I didn't have the burning pain, swelling or the color changes until after the CTS/Trigger finger release surgery.

I'm wondering if the enlarged median nerve could be a result of the RSD or could the RSD have caused the reocurrence of CTS due to all the swelling that I have. I'm trying to make sense of it all especially since the second EMG/NCS came back negative and showed improvement when compared to the first EMG/NCS.

I searched for info regarding what would cause the enlarged median nerve and have not found too much info on it. Any other information or opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hi there! sounds to me you have RSD I am no Dr. but my symptoms are like yours. the redness,burning pain, swelling, pain. I don't know why in the hell-o they won't do that block for you. this just makes me so mad. you don't need to suffer in pain. insist on the blocks. I get my 2nd. ganglion nerve block done this coming Tues.It didn't help as much as I wanted it to, but hopefully the next two I have will.Hang in there, and please let us know how all go's. we care about you!! Love, Desi