Quoted from chickenscratch:Damn, I wonder if I need this. Never had carpal tunnel issues before, and I've been in IT for over 15 years. However, after finally owning pins for last 45 days or so, and playing them a shit ton, I have nearly no grip strength left in my right hand. No pain, but some numbness; the loss of grip is the worse... I can't even use my thumb to push down the little tab for opening the front door, can barely use a soap dispenser, etc. Just came out of nowhere, but definitely is the pins. Going to need to take a few week break here I think and evaluate, do some PT exercises, maybe see a doctor. Thanks for sharing your story, definitely makes it more serious than "just play through it" like I have been.
Here is a little more to think about.
I have my 12 week after surgery meet with my surgeon today and must say hands and strength almost returned to normal or a year ago.
To help others if they are contemplating surgery or having numbness or finger tip tingling.
Here is a drawing of the hand and more so the Transverse Carpal Ligament. Basically all your nerves run in a U channel = Carpal Tunnel (which is about 6-7 bones) at the wrist and already a tight space (for nerves, veins etc) but once the Transverse Carpal Ligament gets inflamed it starts force pressure on to the nerves and veins - with the median nerve the first to feel the pressure and cause the tingling. Over time the ligament can thicken up and it won't return to normal. For me over 20 years on the tools, wire crimping, jack hammering puts alot of strain on this ligament and in my case thickened up and shortening and thumb couldn't lay flat. My specialist said once your ligament thickens up and lots of pressure goes on the nerves and veins it can be permanent damage. To prove that you have issues seek a nerve induction study which is testing nerve response to electrical impulses between 2 points on your arm and then between your palm and arm and my nerves were at 50% capacity which equaled time for surgery. Specialist also said classic causes are computer use over years, mountain bike riding, crow bar and jack hammering.
I had 2 fingers on one hand and 1 on the other that were permanent tingling 24/7 for 6 months and was starting to loose grip strength. Jack hammering was my straw that broke the camels back, but also found when playing pinball over the last 2 years that pressure on my palms when leaning on the lockdown bar while playing would accelerate the tingling as would alot of computer mouse use.
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Basically I had both hands done - key hole surgery as opposed to open cut in the palm of your wrist (muscle has to repair if you go this way) and they cut and release the ligament at the grey line. The ligament retracks 1/4 to 1/2" or 6-12mm and hands generally open up more and over the first 6 weeks the ligament regrows and rejoins but for me my hand was alot flatter as well. No tool usage or hard work for 6 weeks even opening a car door or putting on a seat belt was dam hard for the first week but now at 12 weeks out I can play pinball and the the tingling is almost 100% gone (said it could take up to 6-12 months for nerve damage of my level to heal).
hope that helps