Is this Carpal Tunnel?

[MSAH]

Hello all. Any help explaining my condition is greatly appreciated. BACKGROUND: I am a computer programmer so I type a lot, work in cold room. Also workout and lift weight regularly. I have been having left shoulder pain for a long time. Also pain in the area of my left shoulder blade. These I attributed to typing and weight lifting. And it came and go too. However last month I fell asleep on the couch and woke up with a pain on the neck. Not too long after that it spread down to the upper left arm and then lower below the elbow. Just previous to this I also increased a few pounds to my weight lifting. I thought this was the cause. However the pain didn't go away and then my index finger went numb. Only that finger, not the thumb or middle finger. The pain feels like the sensation you feel after hitting your funny bone. I went to the doctor and she said I might have pinched nerves and gave me some steroid and pain killer. It is better now with heat and cold treatments. But I am still not 100%. My index finger is still a bit numb. My lower and upper arm close to the elbow still have some degree of inflammatory pain. My left shoulder hurt whenever I fail to position myself in a certain way during my sleep. My neck is 100% OK. IT is worse at night and when it is cold. So, what is this? Pain due to muscle injuries or some kind of nerve damage like Carpal Tunnel?

[swiftmovemomof3]

It sounds like you have carpal tunnel.  I was diagnosed with sever CT today.  I also type at a keyboard all day.  I have been a legal assistant for 21 years and it has just now gotten bad enough to seek treatment.  I had an EMG today to determine the nerve damage.  I suggest you get one to help you with your diagnosis.  Also, look for a ortho that does the release arthroscopically instead of the long incisions.  Faster recovery.

[MSAH]

I have the feeling that I have CT. Soreness should have healed by now. I guess I need to seriously get help. Did that EMG thing hurt? What do you mean by 'arthroscopically instead of the long incisions'? I'm horrible with medical terms. I very rarely get sick. So this is kinda new to me. Thanks for your response.

[JainMD]

Hi,
Shooting arm pain may be termed radicular pain. Radicular pain is lancinating or electric in nature. Radicular pain radiates deeply in a narrow, characteristic, band-like pattern. The pathological mechanism of radicular pain is compression of a dorsal root ganglion or inflammation of a nerve root. Radicular pain and radiculopathy often (though not always) coexist. Radiculopathy is a neurological condition of loss—a sensory radiculopathy results in loss of sensation (numbness or tingling); a motor radiculopathy results in loss of strength (weakness).
I think you might have Cubital Tunnel or Carpel tunnel. More likely it could be Carpel tunnel as only index finger is involved which is also less likely.
I think you should be seeing an orthopaedician at earliest and get imaging study done in form of CT or MRI scan and decide regarding further management.
Keep me informed if you have any doubt.
Bye.

[swiftmovemomof3]

Yes and no.  On the right side it hurt like hell but didn't last very long.  Like a really sharp bee sting.  Real quick.  My gal used new pins and it seemed to make a difference.  The first part of the test they put patches on you at certain points in your hands take measurments and then place this little unit with prongs on those spots and zap you.  Some of the zapping really hurt.  That is good.  Means your nerves are firing properly.  Some, I didnt even feel.  Bad.  That indicates the nerve is not working properly.  My doc does a small incision in the palm of the hand and one small one in the wrist area.  then does it all by scope.  I think it is called the Chow Technique.  Beats the ones my sister had 10 years ago.  They put two long incisions on her wrists and the sides of her wrists.  Down time for her was 6-8 weeks per hand.  Mine, the down time is 3 days.  Go to an ortho that specializes in hands.  You will get better results.  Good luck.

[MSAH]

Thanks JainMD, for the thorough explanation. I will get a scan asap. Right now I have stopped working out altogether - gaining some weight in the process - and applying cold or heat treatment when the pain comes. Alternating between cold and heat seems to help although this maybe masking it, not healing it.
Thanks swiftmovemomof3, for the info. I have heard of CT Cream (google it) that a lot of people say works to relieve pain and in times, cure CT altogether. I want to give it a try. Have anybody tried this and care to comment about it? Thank you.

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
Carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a neuropathy caused by compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel.
CTS can be diagnosed accurately by careful history and physical examination, inspection for thenar atrophy, and detection of sensory disturbance via light touch or a pinwheel.
The following basic tests should be ordered to rule out systemic causes of CTS: Sedimentation rate, Serum glucose concentration, Serum uric acid level, Thyroid function test and Electromyography/nerve conduction velocity can confirm diagnosis and help determine severity.
Keep me informed about your meeting with the doctor and also the scan report.
Bye.

[Melinda_Randozzo]

I had the emg last friday for carpal tunnel and it was very painful. if you take certain medications, drink caffine, or smoke stop that days before the test because it will not be one that you will want to repeat.