Is it carpal tunnel?

Question

I was told that I may have CTS - I am right handed and it is only in my right hand. The third finger (next to index finger) gets stiff and locks when I am sleeping and my fingers are bent. I wake up and can not straighten my one finger - I must do it manually. I was told this might be because of the use of the mouse and the way you hold that finger when clicking with the index finger. Has anyone else ever had this or heard of this? Is there anything I can do besides surgery?

Answer 1

This sounds alot like trigger finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome does not cause a finger to "catch". Trigger finger is treated several different ways, of which one is surgery. Please discuss with your doctor about the possibility of this being trigger finger. You can go to Mayoclinic.com for more information.

Answer 2

I had severe CTS back in 85, they used to cut then, NOW surgery is done by laser and healing time is so fast and worth it. But first go through the tests to make sure that is what it is. It could be something simple as a pinched nerve or even arthritis. CTS surgery is so simple nowadays they do it while you are awake but they make sure you are feeling no pain. Night time was my worst time as well but I let it go way too long. It was my thumbs and the whole muscles of my hands that would lock up so See a top neurologist and find out what really is wrong with you. If it is CTS, they only take care of the area that is pressing against the nerves, so you have nothing to worry aout. I had it done in both hands a the same time, yes, it was so difficult but I let it go way too long and had no choice, sleeping was impossibile and holding things too. What you have don't sound like CTS but never know until tested.Oh, I will say that you can do anything you normally would after surgery if that is wht you need. So don't worry. It is no big deal. Good Luck.

Answer 3

It is possible to have an electroconduction test that comes up still in the normal range when a patient is symptomatic. Look at what activities you are doing that might be aggrevating this. You want your wrist in a neutral position. This is the position where your wrist is slightly bent back. If you make a fist like you are going to pound on the table, your wrist will be in a neutral position. Your fingers are little marionettes controlled by strings (tendons) that go through your carpal tunnel. In a neutral wrist position those tendons pass cleanly through the carpal tunnel. If you bend your hand back and move your fingers, then the tendons rub against the carpal tunnel. If you bend your wrist forward and move your fingers (like you're trying to tickle the inside of your elbow on the same arm), then the tendons really run against the carpal tunnel. If it helps, put a rubber band around your wrist. Then imagine a string connected from your fingertips through the rubber band to the inside of your elbow. If you bend your hand back, the strings rub against your wrist. If you bend your wrist forward, the strings rub against the rubber band. Even side-to-side bending of your wrist can make problems. I use a keyboard that is split so that my wrists don't have to bend to the side to type. Hold your hands in front of you with everything relaxed so that your index fingers almost touch. That's a natural position. Then bend your wrists outward a bit so that all your fingers are in a line like they would be on a normal keyboard. Feel the difference? Advil or Aleve will help with the swelling. Tylenol will not.

Answer 4

I had the same problem from using the mouse. I downloaded a program for free that automatically clicks the mouse. It also does a million other features to help people with repetitive motion problems. it makes you take breaks and shows you it exercises you should be doing during the break to help your body. You can try this program for a month and then you would have to pay for it. I have been using it for three years and I no longer have pain and stiffness in my fingers. I've enclosed the link so you can try this out. It takes a bit of getting used to because it's weird having the mouse click without you doing anything. I think this would be of great help for you.

Answer 5

i think carpal tunnel syndrome is charactaristically associated with severe pain due to oedema compressing the median nerve which passes through the anatomical structure known as carpal tunnel, CTS has no treatment other than surgery, but it is quite simple procedure. what you described didnt sound like CTS to me but you need a professional openion, this might be due to hyponitraemia (low sodium in blood) or any other reason.

Answer 6

this sounds more like trigger finger. PLEASE look into bowenwork or mayofascial massage before having surgery. I have been very successful in treating this with bowen and surgery for CTS only has a 50% success rate!