Osteoarthritis in wrist / Carpel Tunnel

Michael512

Hi and hello, I am aged 74, seeking any tips/advice regarding managing night time numbness in middle/ring finger (median nerve)? I injured my wrist in November 2023 using gardening secateurs (squeezed too tightly) and after MSK examination was informed it could be CTS/Osteo wrist. Symptoms have greatly improved but am just left with this nightly routine if I do not wear a splint. Will the numbness eventually disappear or should I have a steroid injection which I do not really want. Many thanks

Janlyn

@Michael512 Hello and welcome. I do sympathise but not sure I can offer any advice. I've been having similar problems. I had my hip replaced in December and had been walking with a stick - leaning heavily on it for some weeks before. I was on heavy painkillers for my surgery and so it wasn't until I came off them that I realised how painful my wrist was. I had it confirmed yesterday it is likely to be carpal tunnel syndrome and advised to sleep with my wrist taped and a splint. I was told to touch my thumb with my little finger as this would keep the 'bridge' in my wrist open - not sure if that was just advice for me or general for this condition?

I got the impression it wouldn't just disappear but as I've only just started wearing a splint I'm still hopeful. I did find some exercises to do but still feel there's a lot to learn.

Take care.

Trish9556

Hi all

Carpal tunnel is something we hear a lot about. I have been told on more than one occasion that i had it and after having the nerve conduction tests on each occasion, no I don't have it. i don't know why Drs don't like the nerve conduction tests, you get the results more or less while youre there if you have a decent person doing the testing.

Trish

Michael512

Thanks, the exercise you describe is definitely good for CTS. However I have used a splint for past 6 months and only symptom now is the middle finger numbness thats wakes me. Also I experience trigger finger in my ring finger joint which is also worse in the mornings. Not sure if related to the splint. Now using a simple thumb splint and did not experience the nightly numbness in middle finger but its early days. Back to gardening now but taking it slowly.