Cut my f***ing hand off

Forums: Health, Medical, Surgery, Carpal Tunnel
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Had carpal tunnel surgery on Dec 9th. Still hurting like a bitch. Nothing relieves the pain.

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Type: Discussion • Score: 6 • Views: 3,410 • Replies: 20

[+3] - ehBeth - 01/18/2015the 30th is close to 2 weeks I'd suggest giving them a call Monday morning (is that now?)

Whew
I was getting squeamish there.

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@Wilso,

That's awful. Have they been able to start physio for you?

Even acupuncture doesn't help with the pain?

I am really sorry to hear this.

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Instructions from the surgeon was to rest the hand until the follow up on Jan 30.

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@Wilso,

does the surgeon's office know that you're still experiencing significant pain?

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No. But since I'm going again next week, don't see a lot of point in contacting them now.

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@Wilso,

the 30th is close to 2 weeks
I'd suggest giving them a call Monday morning (is that now?)

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Have called and left a message, but they appear to be on holidays. I had this condition for 8 months, but the 3rd world medical system in the shithole I live in couldn't even diagnose it. Had to go to Sydney to find a competent doctor. Report from the surgery was that the median nerve was severely compressed, pale and ischemic. Healthy colour returned post decompression. But severe as it was, it's not going to come back straight away.

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@Wilso,

Hope the nerve was not compromised, because this can be the one causing the post surgery strong pain for days, weeks, months...

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Had it done by one of the best neurosurgeons in the country.

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@Wilso,

Maybe he should have passed on the second cup of coffee.

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@Wilso,

Perhaps the pain is because the nerve is regenerating and sending signals that are perceived as pain, like pins and needles.

If you cannot contact the surgeon, have you sought medical assistance re the pain? You said nothing will stop it....so perhaps you have.

I hope the nerve settles and you feel better soon!

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@dlowan,

dlowan wrote:

Perhaps the pain is because the nerve is regenerating and sending signals that are perceived as pain, like pins and needles.

That is a real possibility. The nerve was severely compressed, and had been for quite some time.
As for getting other medical attention, I live in Newcastle now, which has a medical system that rivals Rwanda. I had to go to Sydney just to get the condition diagnosed. One specialist here actually said "there's no way you've got carpal tunnel syndrome".
The local ED's have the longest waiting times in NSW. The only walk-in medical centre within 30km (not bulk billed) has signs in the waiting room telling you not to ask for Panadeine Forte because it won't be prescribed. There's a local doctor's office where I might get a script, after waiting 2 weeks for an appointment and paying $70 upfront. I'll be seeing the surgeon for a followup before I'd be able to get in anyway.
In case I haven't made it clear before, I despise this pathetic, third world shithole.

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I know what agony you're feeling.

I get tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel in both hands/arms from demolition work and constant hammering when nailing off decking.

Is your hand in any kind of traction/cast device, Wilso?

While nurofen and paracetamol never did jack shite for my pain, point-of-problem massage does offer some relief. Just enough to get back to sleep for a half hour or so.

Apart from that, go for the most alkaline diet you can put up with. Lots of lemon juice and honey in the morning, and cold-pressed vege and fruit juices all day. No cheese or milk, and no alcohol or caffeine. Green salads with your steak. Pass on the chips.

Might as well chop both hands off. Smile

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@Wilso,

You can't call the surgeon's practice?

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@dlowan,

dlowan wrote:

You can't call the surgeon's practice?

He' been on holidays this week. And going back to see him Friday anyway.

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<<<"Cut my f***ing hand off">>>

The nerve was used to feel the pressure of the hand ligament. After surgery the inside cut caused some swelling reaction. The new "stimuli" caused by the pressure of the swelling is recorded now by the nerve after the effects of the anesthesia.

This means, a new pain.

If not going away in a few weeks, a good machete will be needed.

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@carloslebaron,

I see you are back, I guess the machete wasn't needed.

Are you typing with one hand or the pain has diminished already?

What was the cause of the pain?

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I've still got some swelling at the incision site, which is a bit unusual. He suspects there may have been a small bleed into the area. Got some massage and simple stretching to do, and a course of steroids. I'm still in pain, but there's been some improvement. Got another followup in 5 weeks.
He said the operation went well, and that my median nerve was severely compressed. Must stress again, that this gentlemen is one of the most respected in his field. Head of neurosurgery at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Senior lecturer at the University of NSW. And he has an excellent rapport with patients.
This guy fixed my neck after a Newcastle neurosurgeon almost crippled me. And that guy was an aloof and condescending prick.

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Quote:

Dr Timothy Steel is a neurosurgeon and spine surgeon with more than 12 years experience as consultant neurosurgeon. He underwent 10 years of surgical training after his internship at some of the finest hospitals in Australia, the United States of America and England. Much of his time as a neurosurgeon has been spent at the leading edge of spine surgery in Australia, helping people attain a better quality of life.

He pioneered the use of and introduced many procedures to St Vincent’s Hospital that are now commonly used to treat spinal conditions, such as microdiscectomy, minimally invasive spine surgery, disc replacement surgery and percutaneous pedicle screw fusion. He introduced endoscopic surgery for brain and pituitary tumours to St Vincent’s and Concord Hospitals.

Dr Steel has performed more than 5000 minimally invasive neurosurgical spinal operations. He has performed more than 1000 complex spine instrumentation operations such as fusions and disc replacement procedures. He has performed more than 1000 brain surgeries. He was the first surgeon in the world to perform ultra short segment fusion surgery for unstable spine fractures. He was the first surgeon in Australia to perform percutaneous fusion surgery using image fusion stereotaxy and the first to perform spinal cord stimulation for patients with severe chest pain due to angina. He was the first surgeon in Australia to perform bilateral nerve decompression procedures using a minimally invasive approach, and the first surgeon in Australia to implant the Cervicore artificial disc for acute spinal cord compression.

Dr Steel has been appointed a conjoint senior lecturer at the University of NSW for his research work and role in educating junior doctors.

Dr Steel is active in training neurosurgery trainees as registrars and through his own spine surgery fellowship programme. He has more than 50 national and international presentations and publications in refereed journals to his credit. He continues his research and development of the techniques of minimally invasive and percutaneous spine surgical techniques, disc replacement surgery and spine fusion surgery.

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Cut my f***ing hand off

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