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I Have To Get A Nerve Test For Carpal Tunnel. How Does This Test Tell If You Need Surgery Or Not?
Question: I have to get a nerve test for carpal tunnel. How does this test tell if you need surgery or not? Is there anything that can effect the test ? The numbness/tingling/pain has been getting a lot worse the past 2 weeks. I wear a brace at bedtime but it still wakes me up. It is unbearable at times. Do steroid injections help at all?
Also, what is the typical recovery time?
Brief Answer:
Steroid injections help in reducing inflammation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
In nerve test for carpal tunnel two electrodes are taped to your skin. A small shock is passed through the median nerve to see if electrical impulses are slowed in the carpal tunnel. This test may be used to diagnose your condition and rule out other conditions. In case the slowing of impulses is too much then surgery is recommended.
You need to remove all the electronic instruments from your body like watch and mobiles. A cardiac pace maker can affect the results.
Local steroid injections help in case the nerve compression is a mild one. It helps in decreasing the local inflammation.
In case of surgical decompression the recovery time varies from 4-8 weeks with regular physiotherapy.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Steroid injections help in reducing inflammation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
In nerve test for carpal tunnel two electrodes are taped to your skin. A small shock is passed through the median nerve to see if electrical impulses are slowed in the carpal tunnel. This test may be used to diagnose your condition and rule out other conditions. In case the slowing of impulses is too much then surgery is recommended.
You need to remove all the electronic instruments from your body like watch and mobiles. A cardiac pace maker can affect the results.
Local steroid injections help in case the nerve compression is a mild one. It helps in decreasing the local inflammation.
In case of surgical decompression the recovery time varies from 4-8 weeks with regular physiotherapy.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I also am waiting for a bone donor to fix a large osteochondral defect in my knee. I am not sure when I will get one, but would it be ok if I got them around the same time? Because I wont be able to get both at different times or I will lose my job.
Brief Answer:
These two can be done at the same time.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
A surgery for carpal tunnel and bone graft in the knee can be done around the same time. You can discuss regarding this with your orthopedician.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
These two can be done at the same time.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
A surgery for carpal tunnel and bone graft in the knee can be done around the same time. You can discuss regarding this with your orthopedician.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had my nerve test today and they said I had "severe" carpal tunnel. I don't see my surgeon for another week. when someone gets results like that what do you usually tell them? How long can you postpone surgery
Oh and can I use crutches if I have had carpal tunnel surgery recently? Because they told me I would not be able to bear weight for almost 8 weeks. I see 2 different orthopedic doctors.
Brief Answer:
You can't use crutches just after surgery.
Detailed Answer:
A severe carpal tunnel needs a surgical correction. The delay in surgery depends on your symptoms. In case you have a severe pain then the surgery is done in 2-3 weeks.
You cannot use the crutches immediately after the surgery. Do wait for at least 6-8 weeks before you can use the wrist normally.
Regards.
You can't use crutches just after surgery.
Detailed Answer:
A severe carpal tunnel needs a surgical correction. The delay in surgery depends on your symptoms. In case you have a severe pain then the surgery is done in 2-3 weeks.
You cannot use the crutches immediately after the surgery. Do wait for at least 6-8 weeks before you can use the wrist normally.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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