My right hand has suffered through 2 failed carpal tunnel surgeries, and remained the same for years after. The last EMG showed that it has worsened for the first time in years. This week it is unbearable, Despite injections even my shoulder(plexus) hurts. I wish I knew what was going on but my hand is unbearable at times. Anyone else get worse all of a sudden. Will it stop?

Were the carpal surgeries proved to be necessary, by the testing?

Have you read about the double & triple crush syndromes?
You may have had the carpal tunnel and needed the surgeries, but the ongoing pain could also be a symptom of another compression or impingement farther up the arm, shoulder or neck.

Have you had recent MRIs to check the c spine for any problems or anomalies?

Can you describe the pain or problems you are having?
Maybe it will sound like something one of us has had or is dealing with and we can give more input.

I used to get sharp cramps in the back of my hands, and my fingers could not do any fine or detail work at all
and sometimes my wrist will feel like it is getting jammed up - esp if my neck/shoulders get strained /tight

I should have mentioned. I do have multiple injuries; brachial plexus, ulnar, and radial nerve injuries. I also have a disc herniation in c5-6 and other problems in the cervical area plus swelling in the lower back,a nd possibly a torn rotator cuff(mild).

The surgeries were many years ago(4-5), and did nothing to help. I had carpal tunnel but previous doctor missed other injuries. The second one on the right hand was the worse. The doctor wrapped something around the nerve to protect it but made it more agiatated.

But it stayed mild until now. My hand is worse then anything right now.

Billy - I have a problem at C5-6, too and have the brachial plexus and shoulder problems. When C5-6 is acting up, all the symptoms are significantly worse than the symptoms from the other areas. It causes muscle spasms in the scalenes/front shoulder area all the way down the arm. I can hardly move the arm when C5-C6 is cranky. For me, C5-C6 causes weakness at the shoulder and may contribute to the nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel.

Have you tried a cortisone shot into the neck at C5-6? The reason I ask is based on my own experience. I had a really bad pain period about two years ago in which I finally found a doctor who'd try to treat me (i.e. not tell me to just deal with the pain). The cortisone shots really helped. The other thing the shots pointed out was once my neck area calmed down, the primary driver of my flares was my unstable shoulder (spasms started at the shoulder and proceeded to the neck within 1/2 hour, then to upper back). It was amazing to realize the connection. I've had shoulder surgery to stabilize the shoulder and the neck has been doing so much better.

Oh so familiar Sheri Toss.

I'd say she's right about that billy027.

For me, the epidural injections X3 helped me to get started turning around. I feel so bad for you because i know how bad it can be. "I can't..." is not good. I encourage you to try things to help ease your symptoms.

I have found the LED and infrared lights to help me tremendously.

before the lights, I found wrist splints and Kinesio tape to help me out with a lot of symptoms, and the tape also allowed me to do more of my ADLs. the tape also has some healing properties too.

I also used Lidoderm 5% patches around my wrist and arms, shoulders, back and put some on my neck but they didn't stay on too good. I also learned that if I reused a Lidoderm patch that I had used for my back or shoulder the night before, if I put that old one on my wrist and forearms, it seemed to do better. Maybe not as strong but helped me more that way. strange how we figure these things out, but that's the way the Lidoderm was most effective for my wrists and foremarm. (Lidoderm is a nonnarcotic analgesic -they have a Flector patch now that has a nonnarcotic analgesic and anti-inflammatory in it - I still like the Lidoderm better, for me)

I also found trigger point therapy to help.

Yoga, light stretching to help.

Drink lots of water to flush toxins out of your system. Very important.

I also learned that keeping my upper body, arms, wrists and hands fleece warm helps. I look ridicilous in the summertime, but who cares, right?

I pray you find some peace from your pain.

Billy Billy that rotator cuff can have you using your shoulder differently to compensate which can put pressure on that carpal tunnel situation. I know becasue I am having shoulder issues and it is really affecting my wrist.


Sheri can I ask what kind of Shoulder surgery did you have?

Shelley - I've had two shoulder surgeries. The one I was referring to in the prior post was on my right shoulder. They tightened up the capsule and repaired a defect in the rotator cuff. They felt my shoulder had been dislocated anteriorly during an MVA leading to chronic instability. Given that I'm hypermobile, any added laxity to a joint is bad news. I swear by the results of the surgery. It was worth it since it made an obvious difference in all pain symptoms from neck down to the arm.