Re: Surgery

In Reply to: Re: Surgery posted by debbie on July 16, 2003 at 02:26:15:

Thanks, Debbie, Phil & Craig.

What a variety of views and outcomes we've all seen.

My worry right now is... if things are under control with the things docs want there first, by the time they realize the extent of probs. with the rest... whatever damage has been done might not be helped by surgery.

I think, if, after the treatments for my neck/spine, if my hands feel as they do now... heck, I'll take that surgery :) I think, I'd likely go for the open release (since I'd have to know far more people in this area with experience with endo. to know if those surgeons may have good outcomes for patients; if that info. were available, I'd be discussing with those people instead of here... so open is the option).

: : Debbie... when did your doctors broach the possibility of surgery for CTS with you? Mine have never mentioned surgery for mine (bilateral), yet for a neurosurgeon to focus on my neck/spine. My hands/wrists have played "second string" (taken a back seat) to the other.

: : I see some go in one day ... and within a week are set for surgery. And... I'm working on getting into PT for my neck/spine, etc., still.

: : Then, I've read, the waiting for surgery for CTS can cause permanent damage. Well, I certainly won't have that surgery if I have no doctor referring for it while they want the other stuff treated first.

: : I guess I'm wondering: in the process of it all... could permanent damage result due to CTS?

: Yes Anne, waiting can cause permanent damage if you need surgery....Its just that I didn't like the way the doctor told me I *could* have ct surgery in *hopes* it might help my thumb.. Far too iffy for my taste.. I have moderate ct in both hands, but at Kaiser they don't make much of a fuss about it...Money you know... If I want it, I can have it, but after reading what can happen with surgery and how ct can come back, I don't want surgery.....The doctor told me this back in 2001..
: Debbie