Carpal Tunnel / Tendonitis

[Navaho6]

This Spring, I started noticing some unfamilar pain in my hands (tingling) while riding my dirtbike. I ignored it and kept chasing the other maniacs. I believed at the time that it was a circulation problem and kept changing gloves. Then, one night after a long day of hard riding, I woke up in the night because both hands were completely numb. That was in May. My hands have been bothering every day since.

I went to an orthopedic, and he told me that I was in the early stages of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Two weeks later, in much pain still, I went back to see him, and he gave me cortisone injections in both wrists. It helped quite bit, but the pain never completely went away.

If you are familiar with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, you may know that it is caused by pressure on the median nerve which affects sensation in the thumb, index, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. Recently, I've been waking up at night with pain and numbness solely in my pinky finger. It's an indication that the ulnar nerve is also affected.

The doctor, and many others as well, have told me that surgery is a last resort, when all else has failed and the symptoms are unbearable. I've heard many conflicting reports on the effectiveness of surgery (carpal tunnel release). I don't know who to believe anymore.

[scootertrash]

My mom (nurse) had surgery done on both hands. And has slight pain from time to time. She is fairing out well, and had that done about 20 years ago.

My assistant at work had it done on both his hands. Didn't really have a problem. But he did have trigger finger syndrome and he is having problems with that one.

Have Faith PAt, and I wish you luck. Modern Medicine have come along way.

[jason70360]

In the mean while, try using some sort of throttle device that allows you to "rest" your hand instead of gripping the throttle.

You may need to lay off the bikes for a while, I know thats worst than skipping sex. But if you lose feeling in your hands you won't be able to help yourself when you are forced to skip sex.

(sorry, couldn't pass that one up)

Good luck and keep searching for the RIGHT answer

[VM 2]

I had cubital tunnels, which is almost the same. I also had a twichy trigger finger like symptom.

Ended up getting surgery for it, but I'm still wondering if I might have carpals b/c my hand still twitches from time to time. But the numbness went away

[chappy]

I had/have problems with numbness in my fingers whilr riding and went to a physiatrist. He did EMG tests which were positive for mile CTS. He then did the corisone injections which are supossedly diagnostic for CTS but they had no effect. He then referred me to an othopedist but I never went as I did not feel the problem was bad enough to risk surgery. I have heard of a few people who had bad results but the only tow people I know who actually had the surgery say it helped, one says it changed his life. I just bought GenMar bar risers instead. Now my main problem is my arm going numb when trying to sleep on my side or when leaning my elbows on the arms of my chair at work. I am sure I have something wrong but I don't think it is CTS. Sometimes I think I am on too much blood pressure medicine causing poor blood flow.

Good luck with your numbness, wish I could give you some positive info.

[Navaho6]

Chappy,

I've been told that the numbness and tingling is due to pressure on the nerves. I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe it is a circulation problem.

The ulnar nerve (aka "funny bone") passes on the underside of the elbow. However, it only affects the pinky finger. I've had to avoid sleeping on my side to stop from pinching that nerve.

I also wear wrist braces at night which keeps me from sleeping on my hands and pinching the median nerve. That has helped a lot but it's annoying to wear them.

I think that the underlying problem for me was a combination of lifting weights at the gym and riding too aggressively on the dirtbike for too long. It makes sense that I may have developed chronic tendon damage, and the swelling is putting pressure on the median nerve where it passes through the carpal tunnel in my wrists.

If it's some form of tendonitis, it could heal but will take a long time.

I too have heard from others who had the surgery with perfect results. However, a good orthopedic will not be quick to recommend surgery if the symptoms are mild. Mine told me to wait several months, and give it a chance to heal naturally.

The carpal tunnel release could eliminate the symptoms of CTS by relieving pressure on the nerve but may do nothing to stop the tendonitis (damage to the tendons), which is the underlying problem.

[wjcook]

I had it in both arms. Surgery took care of it. Also had trigger finger both hands had it fixed too. 3 herniated discs in back suffered with it for 10 years. Went to Dr. Gillespy in Lafayette, he does injections in spine like a women gets for child birth. Had 2 tretment this week. I'm ready to get back on a bike to again ride like I used to. If I can get it running. see my post in other thread. Doctors can do a lot now days, go for the treatment. GOOD LUCK.

[Beemerchef]

I have to put my two cents in here as this might help as it has helped me... I just caught glimpse of this thread.
The identical facts happened to me when I started riding the sidecar, which is much harder to steer then on two wheels... I truly thought my riding days were over as tears was the only... enjoyment of my riding by then.
Dr's... same thing... surgery... To me surgery is always the last resort. Against my belief toward chiropractors I did go to one that was recommended by a long time friend. Within one hour visit the pain had already lessen by 50%... The Rx?...
1) stand straight against a wall at arms lenght and do vertical push ups.
2) do regular push ups
3) with an arm chair behind you, facing up (ceiling) do reverse push ups

Everyday... about 30 of them...
Mine has totally gone away, I still do push ups... preventive... I just don't want to experience the same pain...
Try it... In my case the explaination is that all my life I have PULLED with my arms (28 years pulling lines on a sailboat / riding, etc...). The push up will make up for the loss of "matter" and counter act...
Curious to the result... let us know... hope it helps as it did me.

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

[Navaho6]

Thanks, Ara!! I'm going to try that. I was in probably the best shape of my life when this problem started last April. I was exercising 4 days per week and riding offroad on the weekends. The doctor blamed it on the weightlifting and the dirtbike so I quit riding and stopped my upper body workouts. I also started sleeping with wrist braces. The best thing I've found so far is therapeutic taping :http://www.mycarpaltunnel.com/index.shtml?c1=PPC&source=Google&kw=carpal-tunnel

I feel like I'm 80% better now than I was 5 months ago. Mild symptoms still linger but at least I can still ride.

[Beemerchef]

I am glad that you will and make sure that you let me (us) know please... If it worked for me I hope it works for you... that would be great!

Be well... Ara & Spirit

[yankeegirl]

I have CTS in both wrists..I wear a wrist brace at night on whatever wrist is bothering me at the time and I wear a brace during the day if the pain is really bad..like today and yesterday....but the real pain in the ass is when I ride, my hand goes numb and tingles 5 minutes into the ride and is throbbing and really painful when it's over...

[Navaho6]

I have CTS in both wrists..I wear a wrist brace at night on whatever wrist is bothering me at the time and I wear a brace during the day if the pain is really bad..like today and yesterday....but the real pain in the ass is when I ride, my hand goes numb and tingles 5 minutes into the ride and is throbbing and really painful when it's over...

Have you tried cortisone injections yet? Most of the medical studies I've read have shown that this is the best non-surgical treatment available. It takes less than 2 minutes, is not painful, and is relatively inexpensive ($160). I got immediate relief after I had the injections. It also helps in diagnosing the problem.

[yankeegirl]

no, but for some reason, the pain only lasts a few days and goes away for a while, but when it hurts...it hurts!!!! Until it gets to to the point it's becoming a daily problem, I'll just use my braces...

[Fitty]

Ara, could you explain those reverse push-ups a little better?

Thanks

[Beemerchef]

Hi Fitty...

You put a chair with arms "behind" you, stand about 3 feet ahead of it, drop your arms on the arms of the chair and start reversed push up. You will be at an angle... I will need to have someone take a picture if this does not explain it well... Let me know...
Navajo... any changes yet?...

Be well... Ara & Spirit

[Fitty]

Thanks Ara, I've got it now. Kind of like a "dip" on the parallel bars, but leaning backward.

[Navaho6]

Navajo... any changes yet?...



I have not started yet. Anything stress on my hands irritates it right now. I've started getting numbness in my pinky finger, which is a different nerve, the ulnar nerve. The median nerve is responsible for the CTS. I don't know to think now.