My Husband Had Carpel Tunnel Oper On His Left Hand

Posted on Sun, 7 Apr 2019

Question: My husband had carpel tunnel oper on his left hand 9 mo ago; followed by an infection which was cured by antibiotics. However his hand has/is swollen and painful for 8 mo. The hand dr says nothing can be done. The pain mgnmt.
dr. says a Stellate Ganglion Block could help. Could it?? Would it be worth the risk. Can a shot help swelling?
Thanks for your advice. XXXXXXX Rado

Answered by Dr. Dr. (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it will help to reduce pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I can understand your concern. Here is the advice.

Yes, stellate ganglion block may help to reduce hand pain as well as pain associated with head, neck or shoulder also.

Usually this procedure carries very little risk.

After injection, Period of pain relief also varies. Sometimes You may require two or more injections also.

If swelling is due to venous insufficiency, then this block will not help to reduce swelling, but helpful to reduce pain and increase involvement in physical therapy.

This block can not be given in case of systemic or local infection. So kindly consult with surgeon and physician regarding fitness for procedure.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Thank you.

Regards,
Dr Shyam Kale.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. (5 hours later)

Since no one knows why the hand is so swollen, what in your opinion could be the cause(s)
of it? Some days it's more puffed up than others.
If the Stellate Ganglion Block could maybe help the pain, would it take care of
the swelling?

Answered by Dr. Dr. (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
may be due to venous insufficiency.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

Stellate ganglion block may help to reduce pain, but not swelling.

As per my knowledge, swelling after carpal tunnel syndrome operation may be due to venous insufficiency. I will suggest you to do color doppler and MRI hand to rule out any possibility after surgeon opinion.

Along with that try to increase physical therapy after physiotherapist consultation.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Thank you.

Regards,
Dr Shyam Kale.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. (41 hours later)

Thank you for your helpful answers to my questions.

One thing I forgot to ask is, how long does this Stellate Ganglion Block last?
In the past, he had "steroid" (?) shots in his back and also in his neck for
pain. Those shots didn't take effect even a little even after several tries.
Is this shot the same thing?

With the information you have given us, we will weigh the matter. We have
to travel about 80 miles for this procedure so there are lots of variables to weigh in our decision. And being in our low 80's we want all this to be worth the trip (I do all
the driving). Your answers are much appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Dr. (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Period of pain relief also varies, may require wo or more injections.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

After injection, Period of pain relief also varies.

Sometimes he may require two or more injections also.

But with help of this injection, he may improve physical activity which may help to reduce swelling.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Thank you.

Regards,
Dr Shyam Kale.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj