Guest guest Posted August 9, 2000 Report Share Posted August 9, 2000 Hi! I type in the same position that you do it sounds like. Mine is more to the outside of the hand also. If I type for extended periods of time my wrists and fingers will either ache or get cramped. Jane >From: cmontana@... >Reply-egroups >egroups >Subject: [] Re: Carpal Tun. and CMT >Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 15:11:02 -0000 > >Don't think I have carpal tunnel, but I can easily develop aching >wrists and upper part of hands (over the palm) when I type too much. >Part of that is the fact that it is not a natural position for my >hands to be over the keyboard in the " normal " typing position. My >hands want to assume a position that is more slanted toward the >outside, rather than " flat " over the keyboard. I have wondered how >one of those more user friendly keyboards would be, but haven't tried >one. Has anyone out there? > >I do use a wrist rest which is essential to avoiding pain. But if I >am called upon to type a lot, and I sometimes am, I will have some >aching in the evening, sometimes lasting into the next day. It feels >like overuse stuff, of the same sort that I get in my feet & legs if >I'm on my feet too much. I used to own and operate a typing/word >processing business, which meant that I typed at least six hours a >day. Interesting to watch the CMT progression - I could never type >that much now. My typing speed has diminished too, as has my >accuracy - thank goodness for spelling checkers! > >I think the CMT causes that odd bending of the hands/wrists that I >described. Anyone agree? Sorry if it doesn't make sense - it's hard >to describe. > > > > > > > I never 'got' the relationship between Car.Tun and CMT. In my > > > mind Car.Tun. is a repetitive motion disorder that can be >helped and CMT > > > is a progressive neuromuscular syndrome that can get worse. > > > > > Hi Gretchen- > > Doesn't it say somewhere that CMT symptoms of the hands can be like >Carpel > > Tunnel? I thought I had Carpel Tunnel too, and it seems like on >some days I > > still do, but it " comes and goes " so to speak. Some days I could >type all > > day and others my hands are painful and numb when I type just one >email. I > > never had surgery or have taken any medications for it. I just >figure it is > > a " off " day and do something else instead. I know some people do >have both > > CMT and Carpel Tunnel, which would be very hard to figure out. One >lady in > > our support group had surgery for carpel tunnel though. I don't >know if it > > really was or it was CMT and they didn't know. I suspect this is a >common > > " problem " in our group with affected hands. Maybe more carpel >tunnel > > syndrome too because we feel less like being on our feet, so we do >more with > > our hands???? It would be interesting to see how many think they >have Carpel > > tunnel or have been diagnosed with it. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2000 Report Share Posted August 9, 2000 Gretchen Glick wrote: > I never 'got' the relationship between Car.Tun and CMT. In my > mind Car.Tun. is a repetitive motion disorder that can be helped and CMT > is a progressive neuromuscular syndrome that can get worse. > Hi Gretchen- Doesn't it say somewhere that CMT symptoms of the hands can be like Carpel Tunnel? I thought I had Carpel Tunnel too, and it seems like on some days I still do, but it " comes and goes " so to speak. Some days I could type all day and others my hands are painful and numb when I type just one email. I never had surgery or have taken any medications for it. I just figure it is a " off " day and do something else instead. I know some people do have both CMT and Carpel Tunnel, which would be very hard to figure out. One lady in our support group had surgery for carpel tunnel though. I don't know if it really was or it was CMT and they didn't know. I suspect this is a common " problem " in our group with affected hands. Maybe more carpel tunnel syndrome too because we feel less like being on our feet, so we do more with our hands???? It would be interesting to see how many think they have Carpel tunnel or have been diagnosed with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2000 Report Share Posted August 9, 2000 Don't think I have carpal tunnel, but I can easily develop aching wrists and upper part of hands (over the palm) when I type too much. Part of that is the fact that it is not a natural position for my hands to be over the keyboard in the " normal " typing position. My hands want to assume a position that is more slanted toward the outside, rather than " flat " over the keyboard. I have wondered how one of those more user friendly keyboards would be, but haven't tried one. Has anyone out there? I do use a wrist rest which is essential to avoiding pain. But if I am called upon to type a lot, and I sometimes am, I will have some aching in the evening, sometimes lasting into the next day. It feels like overuse stuff, of the same sort that I get in my feet & legs if I'm on my feet too much. I used to own and operate a typing/word processing business, which meant that I typed at least six hours a day. Interesting to watch the CMT progression - I could never type that much now. My typing speed has diminished too, as has my accuracy - thank goodness for spelling checkers! I think the CMT causes that odd bending of the hands/wrists that I described. Anyone agree? Sorry if it doesn't make sense - it's hard to describe. > > > I never 'got' the relationship between Car.Tun and CMT. In my > > mind Car.Tun. is a repetitive motion disorder that can be helped and CMT > > is a progressive neuromuscular syndrome that can get worse. > > > Hi Gretchen- > Doesn't it say somewhere that CMT symptoms of the hands can be like Carpel > Tunnel? I thought I had Carpel Tunnel too, and it seems like on some days I > still do, but it " comes and goes " so to speak. Some days I could type all > day and others my hands are painful and numb when I type just one email. I > never had surgery or have taken any medications for it. I just figure it is > a " off " day and do something else instead. I know some people do have both > CMT and Carpel Tunnel, which would be very hard to figure out. One lady in > our support group had surgery for carpel tunnel though. I don't know if it > really was or it was CMT and they didn't know. I suspect this is a common > " problem " in our group with affected hands. Maybe more carpel tunnel > syndrome too because we feel less like being on our feet, so we do more with > our hands???? It would be interesting to see how many think they have Carpel > tunnel or have been diagnosed with it. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2000 Report Share Posted August 13, 2000 Gretchen/ , Lamar here Its a simple thing. CT is classified as a repetitive motion disorder but is caused by pressure on a nerve secondary to narrowing of the channel it passes through. In CMT the muscles atrophy (shrink and harden) thereby decreasing the channel size and placing pressure on the nerve. It is Carpal Tunnel. Many with CMT have it. Surgery can relieve that CMT related problem. ----- Original Message ----- From: cobabies egroups Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 9:51 AM Subject: Re: [] Carpal Tun. and CMT Gretchen Glick wrote: > I never 'got' the relationship between Car.Tun and CMT. In my > mind Car.Tun. is a repetitive motion disorder that can be helped and CMT > is a progressive neuromuscular syndrome that can get worse. > Hi Gretchen- Doesn't it say somewhere that CMT symptoms of the hands can be like Carpel Tunnel? I thought I had Carpel Tunnel too, and it seems like on some days I still do, but it " comes and goes " so to speak. Some days I could type all day and others my hands are painful and numb when I type just one email. I never had surgery or have taken any medications for it. I just figure it is a " off " day and do something else instead. I know some people do have both CMT and Carpel Tunnel, which would be very hard to figure out. One lady in our support group had surgery for carpel tunnel though. I don't know if it really was or it was CMT and they didn't know. I suspect this is a common " problem " in our group with affected hands. Maybe more carpel tunnel syndrome too because we feel less like being on our feet, so we do more with our hands???? It would be interesting to see how many think they have Carpel tunnel or have been diagnosed with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2000 Report Share Posted August 13, 2000 > In CMT the muscles atrophy (shrink and harden) thereby decreasing the channel size and placing pressure > on the nerve. It is Carpal Tunnel. Many with CMT have it. Surgery can relieve that CMT > related problem. > Wow! Way cool to know that Lamar in case mine ever gets to the point where I think I need surgery. I never heard that before. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2000 Report Share Posted August 13, 2000 -----Original Message----- From: cobabies <cobabies@...> egroups <egroups> Date: Sunday, August 13, 2000 2:35 PM Subject: Re: [] Carpal Tun. and CMT >> In CMT the muscles atrophy (shrink and harden) thereby decreasing the channel size and placing pressure >> on the nerve. It is Carpal Tunnel. Many with CMT have it. Surgery can relieve that CMT >> related problem. >> >>>>>Welcome back Lamar. My neurologist sent me to a hand sugeron thinking my problems with my hands were due to CTS. The hand surgeon after doing a NCV test, e-rays and exam, said it was from my CMT, not CTS. He said I didn't have CTS. In CTS the nerves pass through the Transverse Carpal Ligament, not muscle, there are no muscles that pass through the carpal tunnel to harden. So CTS surgery will not help CMT hands unless the CMT'er does indeed have CTS. This is what it says at this link, and shows a picture of the hand and Carpal Ligament. http://www.handsurgery.com/carpal.html Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Definition/Occurrence Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve which runs through the wrist to the hand becomes compressed. The problem involves the narrow bony passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel, through which nine tendons and the median nerve must pass between the arm and hand. In the wrist, the median nerve (the major " communication line " between the brain and the hand) is routed through a small passage bounded by the wrist bones (the carpals) and the tough ligament tissue connecting them (see diagram). Nine hard tendons also pass through this crowded " carpal tunnel " . Because this structure is rigid, any influence that causes tissue swelling within the tunnel or reduces its size tends to c ompress and pinch the median nerve. SYMPTOMS Numbness and tingling sensation in one or both hands. Frequently accompanied by sharp pains radiating through the arm or shoulder. Muscle weakness of index and middle fingers and thumb. Discomfort / aching in one or both hands. Lack of feeling in hand may cause person to drop objects. Activities requiring fine hand motor skills may prove difficult if not impossible. TREATMENT When symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are minor or occur only during sleep, relatively simple measures to minimize swelling or otherwise limit median nerve compression may provide effective relief. Such efforts might include: A splint to keep the wrist in a non-aggravating position during sleep or any activities which cause symptoms. Cortisone injections to relieve wrist swelling. Diuretics (water pills) to reduce fluid accumulation. Vitamin B tablets. Anti-inflammatory medications. In a large percentage of cases, one or more of these non-operative measures are effective in controlling the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE When these initial efforts fail to control symptoms, however, an operation called a carpal tunnel release is indicated. In this relatively simple outpatient procedure, the surgeon carefully cuts the wrist ligament, releasing the pressure inside the carpal tunnel, usually providing almost instantaneous relief from arm and hand pain and tingling. As the wound heals, new tissue will bridge the severed ligament in about six weeks, making the ligament long enough to create additional space inside the tunnel and prevent recurrence of symptoms in most cases. The hand surgeon is specifically trained and experienced in diagnosing, treating and, when possible, preventing disorders of the hand and upper extremity. A hand surgeon will generally have available all effective methods of carpal tunnel evaluation and treatment. On to: Trigger Fingers Return to: Southeastern Hand Center Home page 6100 Kennerly Road - Suite 202 - ville, FL 32216 (904) 733-5550 ~>Becky M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2000 Report Share Posted August 13, 2000 , Lamar here Actually with CMT the muscular atrophy shrinks the muscle, this pulls the tendon. That is the reason our feet, fingers, toes, etc. curl. The tendon is pulled out of it's normal position and puts pressure on the nerves in the carpal tunnel. The CMTA meeting I went to near Miami had an entire presentation on it and the surgery to correct. With CMT'ers the surgery is nearly always successful. They do have CTS, but not necessarily from CMT. Just like CMT does not cause arthritis, but the abnormal gait and extra stress on the joints due to CMT can. ----- Original Message ----- From: Maxwell egroups Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2000 4:46 PM Subject: Re: [] Carpal Tun. and CMT -----Original Message----- From: cobabies <cobabies@...> egroups <egroups> Date: Sunday, August 13, 2000 2:35 PM Subject: Re: [] Carpal Tun. and CMT >> In CMT the muscles atrophy (shrink and harden) thereby decreasing the channel size and placing pressure >> on the nerve. It is Carpal Tunnel. Many with CMT have it. Surgery can relieve that CMT >> related problem. >> >>>>>Welcome back Lamar. My neurologist sent me to a hand sugeron thinking my problems with my hands were due to CTS. The hand surgeon after doing a NCV test, e-rays and exam, said it was from my CMT, not CTS. He said I didn't have CTS. In CTS the nerves pass through the Transverse Carpal Ligament, not muscle, there are no muscles that pass through the carpal tunnel to harden. So CTS surgery will not help CMT hands unless the CMT'er does indeed have CTS. This is what it says at this link, and shows a picture of the hand and Carpal Ligament. http://www.handsurgery.com/carpal.html Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Definition/Occurrence Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve which runs through the wrist to the hand becomes compressed. The problem involves the narrow bony passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel, through which nine tendons and the median nerve must pass between the arm and hand. In the wrist, the median nerve (the major " communication line " between the brain and the hand) is routed through a small passage bounded by the wrist bones (the carpals) and the tough ligament tissue connecting them (see diagram). Nine hard tendons also pass through this crowded " carpal tunnel " . Because this structure is rigid, any influence that causes tissue swelling within the tunnel or reduces its size tends to c ompress and pinch the median nerve. SYMPTOMS Numbness and tingling sensation in one or both hands. Frequently accompanied by sharp pains radiating through the arm or shoulder. Muscle weakness of index and middle fingers and thumb. Discomfort / aching in one or both hands. Lack of feeling in hand may cause person to drop objects. Activities requiring fine hand motor skills may prove difficult if not impossible. TREATMENT When symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are minor or occur only during sleep, relatively simple measures to minimize swelling or otherwise limit median nerve compression may provide effective relief. Such efforts might include: A splint to keep the wrist in a non-aggravating position during sleep or any activities which cause symptoms. Cortisone injections to relieve wrist swelling. Diuretics (water pills) to reduce fluid accumulation. Vitamin B tablets. Anti-inflammatory medications. In a large percentage of cases, one or more of these non-operative measures are effective in controlling the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE When these initial efforts fail to control symptoms, however, an operation called a carpal tunnel release is indicated. In this relatively simple outpatient procedure, the surgeon carefully cuts the wrist ligament, releasing the pressure inside the carpal tunnel, usually providing almost instantaneous relief from arm and hand pain and tingling. As the wound heals, new tissue will bridge the severed ligament in about six weeks, making the ligament long enough to create additional space inside the tunnel and prevent recurrence of symptoms in most cases. The hand surgeon is specifically trained and experienced in diagnosing, treating and, when possible, preventing disorders of the hand and upper extremity. A hand surgeon will generally have available all effective methods of carpal tunnel evaluation and treatment. On to: Trigger Fingers Return to: Southeastern Hand Center Home page 6100 Kennerly Road - Suite 202 - ville, FL 32216 (904) 733-5550 ~>Becky M. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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