Hand numbness........surgery???

Injuries, Health Issues, Vision & Body Repair

Re: Hand numbness........surgery???

Postby GMP » Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:42 pm

bikepoor wrote:In over 20 years, I have only had 2 patients "need" CT surgery. Quite simply, we continuously use our "flexors" and rarely stretch them out sufficiently. Proven solution is to stretch the flexors and strengthen the extensors of the forearm. Regular and consistent deep tissue massage in the flexors is paramount. It takes time and dedication. But, compared to surgery, worth it.

Or you could just make someone another Beemer payment.


That last statement sounds just like Dr. Mark Sanders in Houston. He said stuff like that all the time. Are you him? :lol:

I do a lot of forearm work in my TRX workout. I made my own rig with Delrin grips that rotate freely over the stars under tension. Wrist curls, and rolling the grips up and down with the fingers seem to have keep arm pump away for quite awhile now. I'll even hook it to my truck and do a little before a race in the AM. Never had a deep tissue massage. Anything else to add that may help please do. Thanks.
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Re: Hand numbness........surgery???

Postby twowheels » Sun Sep 20, 2015 4:54 pm

bikepoor wrote: Proven solution is to stretch the flexors and strengthen the extensors of the forearm. Regular and consistent deep tissue massage in the flexors is paramount.


In layman's terms, how does one go about that?
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Re: Hand numbness........surgery???

Postby redrider » Sun Sep 20, 2015 5:41 pm

Thanks for all the input fellas. I'll be trying some new things in the coming weeks and evaluate from there before seeing a specialist. Surgery will be a last resort this off season if I can't overcome it with better form and some stretch/exercize. If I find something works (for me) I'll post what it is. Thanks again!
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Re: Hand numbness........surgery???

Postby Natedoc808 » Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:37 am

Being a Physical therapist that specializes in hands, I can say without a doubt there is some good info on this thread. However to the OP, you need to make sure you actually have carpal tunnel syndrome and not some other nerve entrapment issue as with carpal tunnel syndrome your pinky finger should not be effected as it is supplied by the ulnar nerve which does not run through the carpal tunnel. If you have pain in the palmar side of your forearm just below the elbow along with pain in the muscles at the base of your thumb at the same time you get your numbness, you are likely experiencing Pronator Teres Syndrome which is entrapment of the median nerve just below the elbow but the numbness will be the same as carpal tunnel syndrome. In carpal tunnel syndrome you should not have pain in the base of the thumb as the branch of the median nerve that supplies that area with sensation splits off before the carpal tunnel. If the pinky is going numb too then you must rule out Cubital tunnel syndrome which is entrapment of the ulnar nerve at the elbow where you hit your funny bone; which is aggravated by persistent and repetitive flexed elbow positions. Another possibility is Thoracic Outlet syndrome which can be common in people with desk jobs or those who participate in sports with a flexion biased movement pattern (motocross) and comes from pressure to the brachial plexus, arteries and veins at the shoulder girdle where all the neuromas ulnar tissue passes from behind the collar bone, through the armpit and into the arm. With people who have multiple nerve pattern involvement this must be ruled out. Last but not least, if you are having multiple nerve pattern involvement, particularly on both sides, your neck must be cleared of a ridiculopathy (nerve root pressure at the spine). All of these scenarios are typically very well addressed with skilled physical therapy focusing on mobilizing the tissue to decrease the tissue tension and restoring circulation to the nerve. Overall fitness and flexibility is critical in combatting all of these scenarios... So stretch out a lot!

Regarding carpal tunnel surgery if it is ruled to be the culprit at work here: 90% of patient I see post CTR doing incredibly well. Of the other 10%, 5% were poor candidates for surgery to begin with due to waiting too long for treatment as the nerve is damaged due to chronic loss of circulation from pressure which is what causes the numbness, or because they had other health problems that limit their healing like diabetes, smoking, heart disease, etc. the remaining 5% who have very poor outcomes simply don't follow instructions: don't go to hand therapy as prescribed, don't do the rehab protocol if they do go to therapy, or go back to forceful repetitive lifting grasping, pulling too much too soon against medical advice.
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Re: Hand numbness........surgery???

Postby Cruiser » Sun Nov 27, 2016 7:45 am

This last post is spot on.. I have the tingling in both my hands but not CT. I have passed the tests for that, but the issues are not ct, one Dr still wants to do the ct work anyway, old school way also. I told him in a not so kindly way to F off.. Another Dr has suggested two issues for mine, blood flow in the hands due to palm damage from work as a auto tech for many years and shoulder, neck damage from various wrecks over the years. I can't remember what the condition is called in the palm, hypoid hammer or something? My blood flow is bad, had a MRA? video MRI with contrast of the flow of blood in my hands. So much fun as I'm allergic to contrast so lots of meds to get me through the test, two days, one hand one day, next one the next. If I keep up with my rowing workouts my hands last longer on the bike, this helped the nerve issues, of my shoulders, back. one day I'll get into the hands more but just can't take the time off from work to fix it. Still work as a tech so long time out I'd be looking for a new job.

Threads a bit old, hopefully you worked out your issues already. If not good luck and let us know what you find out.
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Re: Hand numbness........surgery???

Postby redrider » Fri Sep 07, 2018 5:18 pm

It's been 2 years now, but current tests proved I had deterioration of signal in both hands due to carpal tunnel. Had the surgery on both hands a few months apart ( late 2015, then mid season 2016 ). 6 weeks after the 2nd surgery I won 5 in a row with no hand numbness! Pulled off the championship that year after surgery solved my issues. Changed everything for me.

Unfortunately, I tagged a tree pretty hard with the left shoulder this past winter and suffered a class 2-3 separation that's not healing properly. Grinding in the AC joint and what seems to be worsening offset at the AC connection (started at 5mm and is now about 12mm). Seeing a specialist next week to see if surgery is required. Had hoped 2018 was going to be my best year. Looking to 2019 and a new 2019 300 of all works out.
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Re: Hand numbness........surgery???

Postby Alpha » Fri Sep 07, 2018 5:54 pm

Good advice from others, in how to reduce the chance of problems.
I had no choice, as I would lose complete feeling in the affected hand.
Transmission studies showed only a slight reduction, but the operation fixed it 100%.
Recovery and riding within a month.
Cheers
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