Klarinet Archive - Posting 000385.txt from 1996/08

From: niethamer@-----.EDU
Subj: Re: carpal tunnel
Date: Mon, 12 Aug 1996 23:58:40 -0400

On Mon, 12 Aug 1996, Frank S. David wrote:

> As a medical student and the husband of a medicine intern, I'd like to
> make a few small comments on the carpal tunnel issue:
(snip)
>
> 2. Please, please, PLEASE if you have these tingling symptoms, see a
> doctor -- and (with apologies to any ortho surgeons on the list or their
> friends) NOT an orthopedic surgeon. See a physiatrist (rehab medicine
> doctor) or some other doc who is well informed about rehab and physical
> therapy and can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the correct rehab
> regimen. There's great PT available for carpal tunnel and thoracic outlet
> syndromes which obviate the need for surgery.

When my problems began, I went to an orthepedic surgeon, who did x-rays
(some quite involved) and spoke ominously of "exploratory surgery". To
his credit, however, he sent me to a neurologist, who did nerve
conduction tests and then frankly admited that he couldn't find any
problem, because the tests (at least then) only showed something if you
were at the stage that you couldn't grasp a doorknob well enough to open
the door.

The neurologist (a very sympathetic music lover) gave me two bits of
advice which were helpful and interesting.

1.) "Orthopedic surgeons are the jocks of the medical profession - they
*love* to cut" (his words, not mine!)

2.) "Surgery will have one of three results. You might get better. Maybe
nothing will happen. Or, *you might get worse*" I did nothiong, and a few
years later found a good physical therapist, who helped me to work
through the problem.

> 3. The ice packs, etc. may help some of the symptoms, but a good therapy
> regimen could cure the actual problem.

In my post about this aspect of the problem I should have been more
complete. My PT gave me an exercise regimen, and prescribed the ice to
treat symptoms of flare-ups as necessary. But the ice only treats the
symptoms - treating the causes and solving the problems are more
important (IMO).

David Niethamer