A recent EMG showed that the carpal tunnel in my right hand has gotten much worse; this is after 5 years of constant readings. The ulnar nerve is a lot worse also, and so is the plexus on the right. The carpal tunnel reading didn't surprise me; my hand has been weak, and sore, but still it was never worse from the already bad readings until now.

I knew it because of how it felt. I don't know why. But my right hand is also still battling an infected finger, and that finger is crooked. I also noticed that between my 3rd and 4th fingers there is a mis-alignment. The fouth digit is lowed then the 34d finger by far. It looks awkward.


Anyone else notice these things happening to them?

Hi Billy27

No, not had those problems with finger misalingments.

Have you tried a physical therapist, splints and wraps?

Hope you get relief. Keep in touch...

I tried splints, therapy is ongoing. I wrap my wrist now. The doctor who did the EMG said it could be from worsening of scar tissue. I had 2 failed surgeries on right hand.

I don't know. It's hard not to use your dominent hand. It just feels worse then ever, and I have that lingering finger infection on same hand. I see doctor Monday for infection; they called in more antibiotics. Sometimes you got to throw up your hands and say I give up.

yeah, I feel like giving up too... and then the phone rings, I get hungry or hubby's coming in the door. LIFE keeps coming at ya.

You know, at my worst with my arms and hands, I did incorporate and use my feet for some tasks, even running a copier on the floor with my feet to open the lid, close the lid, push the button, slide paper off, slide paper on. It was that bad, for years. Just a thought to keep some work off your hands. I also move laundry baskets with my feet, never bending over or carrying them, even today.

Have you looked at the Kinesio tape option. It has a retraining aspect to it. it lightly holds things in place too.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...aqi=g3&start=0

It helped me in many ways. If you pull it too tight, it can cause spasm. I could mail you some to try on your hand and fingers if that would interest you.

I know how frustrating hand issues can be.

Since you've had this infected finger for awhile, have they done any blood work or analyzed the infection material? A recurrent infection is not a good sign. If they haven't run blood work, when you see them Monday ask about blood tests even a general blood workup to see if anything else is amiss.

Hi my name is Martina in Oklahoma.
I have TOS and do have extra rib in left shoulder. For well over 20 years have had pain and no one knew why. About 11 yrs ago my chiropractor discovered the extra rib in an x-ray and told me some day I would have to have it removed. I dealt and am dealing with the pain. Several doctors several tests showed nothing to them. I finally found a neourosurgeon to point me in the right direction to a vascular surgeon.

We have decided I must have surgery to remove the extra rib but it looks in x-ray that it is connected to rib number one and it also has to be removed. I am scheduled for surgery Feb. 19 and am very nervous and scared, although I completely trust God is the one guiding the surgeons hands and I am and will be surrounded by my guardian angels and the Holy Spirit.
I was dealing with the pain and able to work cleaning houses and a real estate agent. In Aug. 09 I was backed out at wally world and a lady backed up and hit the bed of my truck hard that it jarred me, have whiplash and it aggrivated my condition worse. I have not been able to work since then and even typing now I have pain so I'm in process of trying to get SSDI, it is in the works.
I believe I could have gone a few more years as I had been doing but since the accident it has only gotten worse. My question is insurance......you know how they are, I am still awaiting for my pay of lost hours from aug to oct and they argue that they will only pay me 2 days work, I beg to differ it's 200 hours and really still counting because I can't work.
Should I push the issue of the accident pushing me to have to go forth with surgery or just fight to settle what I told them, which is pay my doctor over 3K and my lost time of 200 hours? Or fight them and I do have doctors backup that I was able to work before and since then I am not able to and will not be able to even after surgery?
I am a person who is not greedy after tons of money (although it would useful), I just want to settle at my request and move one, because I know it can drag on, but I also know I have had much pain and suffering not to mention so has my husband because he has to care for me in many ways.
Can anyone please help me to understand and go forth on the surgery, I only see it as the only solution and it has taken years to get to the doctor I need and one of very few in Oklahoma who will actually do such a surgery since it is so touchy and serious.
I am trusting God in every way as I said but I'm also being straight up honest, I'm scared of the surgery and I really feel without the accident I could of gone for more years without having to jump so quickly on surgery. I hope to hear from someone to talk to that has been through the surgery and speak to someone about my accident, can I should I tell insurance no this is more than I thought especially after finding the right doctor? Thank you and I'm so glad I found this site.

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story.

I'm a TOSer too, with other problems.

You are very well in touch with what's going on and what you have facing you. It is no pic-nic. Lots of other TOSers here will come along and give you support and advice about preparing for surgery and aftercare. Most important things. cannot be ignored or deviated from. You must have experienced providers working with you. Do get a second opinion.

As far as the accident goes, I'm with you. I put off litigation till the VERY last day, I mean last day. Don't do that. Find a good plaintiff's attorney and make an appointment before surgery. you can get a second opinion on that too. You have just as much need for a good lawyer right now as you do a good surgeon. TOS is difficult in law too.

There are statute of limitations on time. In KY, for personalinjury/civil, it's 2 years, or two years from the last date of medical treatment that is paid for by PIP (personal injury protection insurance, through your auto insurance, a minimum of $10,000). so you need to get the legal side in order too. neither is going to be much fun.

We're here for you. I would be scared too.

You will find much comfort in the arms of God's love and care.

william, this is just a thought. sometimes a drug reaction will cause the muscles to fire involuntarily. this happened once to me with compazine. only instead of fingers it was my neck involuntarily pinned down on my shoulder. sorry u r having a hard time. i hope you get some improvement soon.

Update; Finger infection is finally fading away. But recent EMG showed that after 5 years of no change of my carpal tunnel; it has worsened significantly. Also, the ULnar, plexus,a nd neck herniation all have worsened. I knew they were feeling worse, and the test proved it.

So Billy, sounds like you have some work to do.

Need to see ortho surgeon specialists for the areas where there are disc abnormalities and ask, will surgery help or not?

Next, you need to have carpal tunnel corrective surgery. That would be at least one less pain for you to bear. Many TOS experts say do TOS surgery first, but I no longer worry about that personally - I say if you can get a surgeon (good one) to fix one of the many problems we present, then that's one less pain.

Let us know what you're going to do next.

God bless.

Is this work comp? SHOULD it be? Did you get symptoms when you were working? Did you see an attorney if any of this was applicable? Just reminding in case.

Again, God bless.