Not to worry. I won't wait i'm way too much of a baby when it comes to this pain. If it comes backs and last for a day or two I will be knocking down their door.

Cynthia

Cynthia,
I've read over your post and responses and can relate to your hesitation about getting surgery. I can also relate to your pain symptoms. I had intense elbow stabbing and burning, aching pinkies. I had no clawing or irreversible damage.

Coming to the decision to have surgery was very scary for me. I'd lay awake wondering if there was anything else I could do. But I look back now and realize it was the right decision for me. By the time I had surgery, my pain had lessened from an 8 to a 4. I had good days with no pain, and bad days with a ton. So while I wasn't always in intense pain, I was also not living my normal life. I couldn't exercise, I couldn't work as my computer/call center job caused the initial damage, I couldn't go bowling with my nieces, I couldn't get comfortable in bed and I couldn't play sports with my friends. If I did any of these things I would feel "zings" down both of my arms and feared permanently damaging my nerve. I found myself living on the sidelines to protect my nerves.

Looking back I have no regrets about electing surgery. I have to admit I have a great medical support system which helped me research my decision. A lot of my good friends are MD's and one is a PT, so I picked all their brains and they agreed surgery was a good idea. I also really love and trust my hand surgeon and my PA, so I had no reservations about them.

Soooo, after blabbing about myself forever , I'm hoping maybe it can help you decide if you feel the surgery would improve your life. My PA said you kind of get to a point where the pain may not be that intense, but you just can't stand it anymore. Do you think you're there?

Jill

Don't be afraid of surgery. I had decompression last friday and carpal tunnel surgery at the same time and arm. I have had almost NO pain. my arm itches under my cast and wrappings, but I have been slightly uncomfortable at the worst. I still am having CuTS symptoms, but I know that that's normal. Marcie

Hello everyone.

I too am thinking of surgery because of the severe atrophy of my right hand. No pain, but definitely weakness and numbness present.

It's been 6 months now and I'm thinking of surgery because hand exercises don't seem to stop the atrophy.

What do you think?

i am very new to this diagnosis. (less than a week) although i have had this condition for 9 months. due to a botched surgery. i am scheduled for surgery march 28. a question i have is: is your arm in a cast after this surgery? or is that in just some cases? because the surgeon did not mention a cast to me.