Re: It's not CTS -- it's something else!!

In Reply to: It's not CTS -- it's something else!! posted by Ellen on December 20, 2003 at 16:06:30:

: Well, after an app't with a hand surgeon, 4 neurologists, 4 negative EMGs, 2 prescriptions (Topamax and Celebrex), and after 8 months of typical CTS symptoms that have progressively worsened (to the point that I can't even wash dishes or put on pantyhose without my hands going completely numb), I finally was able to get my GP to send me for an MRI -- something that all the other doctors point-blank refused to do.

: Results of the MRI: I don't have CTS. What I *do* have is a tears in the TFCC, the cartilage in the wrist. TFCC usually gets damaged by an injury or accident, but can also degenerate, and the symptoms are often similar to CTS.

: And guess what? Only an MRI would pick that up.

: It requires surgery to fix. And my doctor believes that since my symptoms have progressed so much in the past 8 months to such an extent, so have the tears.

: Son of a [expletive]... all those doctors refusing my request for an MRI to find out what was *really* going on could've find out months ago.

: What *really* burns me up is that I complained of bones sticking out of my wrist. That's a typical symptom of TFCC tear. Yet when I pointed that out to them, they pooh-poohed it.

: The sad thing is -- there are no message boards out there for those with TFCC tears. None. I've been looking for the past few days. There's no one to talk to about their experiences. The references I've found are few and far between. (I'm telling you, that's really a bummer!)

: My doctor says that not all surgeons even do the procedure -- not at all common like CTS.

: So, folks -- I've enjoyed reading this board. And I also wanted to mention this to anyone who believes they have have CTS because of their symptoms, but the doctors say they don't. Ask for an MRI. Demand it. You never know...

Thank you for sharing your information with all of us here Ellen.. Maybe it will help someone else on this board.. I'm sorry to hear that you have gone through so much while trying to find answers about your hands.. I do hope your doctor will be able to help you out.. If I were you I would write to every single doctor who misdiagnosed your problem and tell each of them what the MRI showed was wrong...and I would surely tell them how you requested an MRI and how they poo pooed your request...Doctors are only humans who are treated better than they sometimes deserve and they need to be corrected every single time they make a mistake or don't pay attention to a patient.. Thats my opinion and thats what I would do if I found myself in your situation.. If you can, get it all in writing and then mail out copies of those MRI reports..
Good luck to you Ellen.
Debbie