Good day! It's not snowing......yet......so it's a good day. How's everyone doing? Anxiously awaiting spring?
Kathy left a comment about having carpal tunnel syndrome and since she's no-reply, I thought a post with suggestions might be a good idea. I'm sure many of you are having the same pain and if anyone would like to share their attempt at relief, it may help others.
My SIL, stitcher extraordinaire, had and treated it as long as she could to avoid surgery. She took a B6 supplement and did stretching exercises (like Yoga) that she found online, all recommended by her doc. Three days of an Advil regimen calmed inflammation flare-ups. She wore a splint to bed to prevent more nerve pinching, and a glove when stitching. Do you use a wrist support or glove (like Thera-Glove) that still allows stitching? The wrist brace I needed after my cast came off was very cumbersome and uncomfortable but there are others with less bulk. Can anyone recommend a favorite?
One that doesn't have a bulky thumb wrap and looks more comfortable is this one from DonJoy, Bell-Horn, and others. All elastic with an aluminum support. The affected nerve is really at the base of the palm which is why the stay needs to be up into the hand area. You can find this one on Ebay here. 
Another that has no thumb strap and leaves the fingers completely free is the Carpal Mate. It doesn't look like a good option for a very small hand. Lots of places to purchase on Amazon, Ebay, and others. I don't know if either are comfortable to wear, but they look the least confining and are not expensive.
That's today's Medical Matters. And now a word from our sponsors.
9 comments:
All that have those troubles, I hope these tips will work and you can go on making beautiful things! I am free of that, but I have the trouble in my hand itself and that makes that I have to be very carefull making stitches, but there is no stopping me, cause as my DH says I am an addict!
Hugs
Lida
The second brace you show is quite interesting! I love that it does not wrap around the thumb. I have suffered from carpal tunnel for 20 years and never had surgery. Luckily, I only have pain during sleep but if I wear the brace shown in your first photo there is no pain. I would rather wear a brace every night then undergo the surgery. Thank you for showing other options.
Yours is a very timely post. After much suffering for years with CT I finally had surgery about three weeks ago. I had been sleeping in the braces for almost 3 years but got to the point that I had constant pain and "needles" and couldn't hold on to anything. I was determined not to have surgery, but couldn't avoid it any longer. I am also a very serious cross stitch addict. Stitching almost daily since 1981, and over the past year or so two or three hours a night. I did not want to let that go! I also opted to have both hands done at once - maybe a little crazy, but less down time as both were affected. I am happy to say that I am already stitching again and am so very glad I had it done. I should have had it done years ago. My Dr was wonderful, even sang while he was doing the surgery! I am up to stitching about 15 minutes per day and increasing daily. No more braces at night, and my hands have never been better! God Bless to all, Happy Stitching, Shari Witt
Yours is a very timely post. After much suffering for years with CT I finally had surgery about three weeks ago. I had been sleeping in the braces for almost 3 years but got to the point that I had constant pain and "needles" and couldn't hold on to anything. I was determined not to have surgery, but couldn't avoid it any longer. I am also a very serious cross stitch addict. Stitching almost daily since 1981, and over the past year or so two or three hours a night. I did not want to let that go! I also opted to have both hands done at once - maybe a little crazy, but less down time as both were affected. I am happy to say that I am already stitching again and am so very glad I had it done. I should have had it done years ago. My Dr was wonderful, even sang while he was doing the surgery! I am up to stitching about 15 minutes per day and increasing daily. No more braces at night, and my hands have never been better! God Bless to all, Happy Stitching, Shari Witt
I got the Carpel fixed and now I have a trigger thumb that gives me fits!! Getting old is no fun!
Here are two links to wrist supports:
http://www.amazon.com/Wellgate-Women-PerfectFit-Wrist-Support/dp/B000GHG3RG
http://www.dritz.com/brands/creativecomfort/hand_wrist.php
I've found the Wellgate supports at Walmart and the Creative Comfort supports at JoAnn Fabrics.
My doctor told me that stretches and deep tissue massage of the muscles in the arms will help with CTS pain.
Seek medical care because pinched nerves and herniated disks in the neck as well as thoracic outlet syndrome can cause the same symptoms as CTS.
Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
I just posted about this problem on my blog. I will add a link to yours;;;;
Thank you for the post on CTS. I'm relieved to see other stitchers have found a way to work around the condition. I'd rather put off surgery as long as possible so I will seek out some of the braces suggested. As you know there is always another sampler to stitch!
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