Cause of CTS -like symptons
Dr Bland;
During mid-2011, I was successfully prescribed 2 weeks anti-inflam treatment for severe pain in my right shoulder by my GP; and I also had a MRI scan at QEQM Margate that showed evidence of 'wear and tear' and thickening of the tendons in my shoulder, but nothing that was deemed operable.
Just prior to that treatment, my CTS-like 'symptons' were quite severe, and I became personally convinced that they were and still are being caused by my shoulder problem.
Although not now as severe as when I was treated by my GP, I still have continuous pain in my right shoulder and it is this that seems to 'kick off' severe CTs-like' symptons in my right hand. This is especially so each night, as I cannot sleep on my right side at all and even just having my right arm extended alongside me in bed causes severe CTS-like' symptons.
My concern is that receiving injections for CTS symptons or even being operated upon for CTS in the future isn't really dealing with the real cause of the problem - or have I actually got it the wrong way round?
I'd be most interested to hear your view, especially before my consultation with you on the 30th.
Many thanks
Dr Bland:
thank you for taking the time to reply to my enquiry.
I had previously heard about 'double crush syndrome' and so the suggested website link was very informative.
Whether or not my current condition is CTS/'double crush/other ? - I'm very happy to follow your lead on whatever you might suggest for its relief in the future.
Once again, thank you for your comment.
We'll see what it looks like on the 30th, when I get a chance to talk to you directly, and come up with a plan of action then I hope. JB
It can be very hard to disentangle symptoms arising from the wrist and the neck/shoulder. Both sites of pathology can cause symptoms along the whole length of the arm and patients can have a problem at the wrist only, at the neck/shoulder only, or both, and if there are two problems they may each be having an effect on the other or they may be wholly independent. The issue is discussed at some length here on the website in the page relating to 'double crush syndrome' so you might like to read through that. I usually take the practical view that if there is a demonstrable problem at the wrist and at least some of the symptoms sound like CTS then it is a simple matter to treat the CTS and see how the symptoms change - though I would usually prefer non-surgical treatment for this sort of diagnostic experiment. JB