Wanda
Message 1 of 1
Hi Nancy, First, where are you located that drs won't take wc cases? I've been through 8 drs over 4 years and have finally found a doctor and pt that can give releif, however breifly. I'm located in So. Cal., and if you'd like, I'll pass their contact information on to you. Next, have any of the doctors that you have seen mentioned 'myofacial pain syndrome'? (I know...I know...just what you need is another 'syndrome') Basically what it is is a rather serious form of tendinitis (the sheaths of the tendons get inflamed and/or stripped and cause swelling, tenderness, and are beleived to be the root cause of CTS, according to my current dr.) Now, treatment for this (in addition to the release of the CT itself, and in my case, transposition of the ulnar nerve bilaterally at the elbow, deQuirvarian's tendonitis release of the first dorsel compartment on the right wrist, and the rotator cuff impingement syndrome release in my right shoulder - I know, I'm a mess!) is pt in which 'trigger points' are identified and worked out...kind of like a massage therapist would work out kinks in your back. Anyway, these trigger points, when pressed, cause various parts of my upper extremities to go numb, almost immediately, as soon as they're pressed upon. After working them out, my swelling subsides to the point I only have to ice down 1 time a day, as opposed to the 3-5 times a day when they're acting up. I now require pt once or twice a year, with a duration of 6-9 weeks, 3 times a week. Not perfect, but doable. Further, new nerve conduction studies and electrical muscle tests are required approximately once every 2-3 years, depending on the severity of the flareup. My dr. feels it is likely that I will require more surgery (and believe it or not, he is the least cut happy dr. I have found!!) and I will deal with that as the need arrises. I have to tell you, being on a computer all day is not good for your hands. And personally, I believe the mouse to be especially hard on my upper right extremity/neck/shoulder. From what my drs (all of them) have told me, that is the reason for my injuries today. Being on the computer too much. Has your worker's comp adjuster assigned a vocational rehabilitation specialist to your case? You are entitled by law to $16,000 in 'retraining' so that you might find an occupation that won't injure you further. I'm afraid being on a computer is not going to accomplish that particular goal. :o( But all is not lost. With the pt and occasional surgery, I am able to work 4 hours a day, 7-9 months out of the year. Again, not perfect, but better than nothing. As for doing any outside activities, I'm at a loss - if you figure out something you can do, please pass it on - maybe I can do it too! :o) Best wishes to you and yours... Wanda