Question:
My mother-in-law is 75 yrs old and has tingling and pain in both arms.
This occurs all the time, does not affect the elbow joint. Asprin does
not help. She recently had upper neck surgery that has removed none of
the pain in her arms, (relieved some leg problems). Carpal tunnel
surgery was also done on one hand with no results. She is in constant
pain and discomfort, and this has affected everyday usage of her hands
also - any ideas?


Answer:
Hey brittfan, how are you doing? Medications used in the treatment
of carpal tunnel syndrome include anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDs
such as ibuprofen or naproxen). The underlying cause of numbness or
tingling should be identified and then treated by your doctor. Certain
exercises may be recommended. Take care to protect the area from
cuts, bumps, bruises, burns, or other injury. Because of the decrease
in feeling, a numb hand or foot from any cause may be more prone to
accidental injury. Go to a hospital or call 911 if weakness or
paralysis occurs with numbness or tingling. The carpal tunnel may also
be injected with corticosteroids. This may provide dramatic relief of
symptoms. (Note: It is the carpal tunnel space that is injected, not
the nerve.) Best wishes,


Answer:
My mother-in-law is 75 yrs old and has tingling and pain in
both arms. This occurs all the time, does not affect the elbow joint.
Asprin does not help. She recently had upper neck surgery that has
removed none of the pain in her arms, (relieved some leg problems).
Carpal tunnel surgery was also done on one hand with no results. She
is in constant pain and discomfort, and this has affected everyday
usage of her hands also - any ideas? I think your
mother-in-law has a pinched nerve(s) in her neck and/or back. She
needs to see her doctor again to inform him about this in case there
is any further testing that can be done to help her with these
problems. There also may be a medication that can be prescribed to
help alleviate her discomfort.


Answer:
Hi, thank you for your advice, but I was wondering if she already had
carpal tunnel surgey on one wrist and it did nothing to alievite the
pain, tingling, numbness would she still have carpal tunnel?
another reply was possible pinched nerves in the neck or back, I will
check with her to see if the drs have looked at this possibility. She
did have neck surgery on the the upper neck spinal col. and I would
hope they would check the nerves during this surgery, but maybe not.
thanks, and if any other ideas are out there let me know


Answer:
Brittfan, Most people who have surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome
have fewer or no symptoms of pain and numbness in their hand after
surgery. The overall success rate s more than 95%. In the fewer
cases, the symptoms of pain and numbness may return (the most common
complication), or there may be temporary loss of strength when
pinching or gripping an object, due to the cutting of the transverse
carpal ligament. Also, your MIL is 75 years old - it takes so much
longer for some elderly people to recover their strength. If the
thumb muscles have been severely weakened or wasted away, hand
strength and function may be limited even after surgery. In that case,
I'm not sure if physical therapy could help in this situation or not.
You may want to call the physical therapy department of your local
hospital (or they can get you a good phone number) and ask one of the
nurses if they have known this to help. If so, ask the doctor for a
referral. Most insurances would cover this therapy.


Answer:
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