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)

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.

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.