Carpal Tunnel

[mowerman90]

Any of you have Carpal Tunnel? I was diagnosed as having it moderate in one wrist and severe in the other. I'm a one man show so I can't take off during the summer season and will have to wait til next winter if I should decide to have one or both wrists operated on. Have any of you had this operation? If so, how long did it take til you got back to work? I use a Grasshopper so I don't have to worry about griping the handles of a WB, but the trimmer and edger are another story. It really doesn't bother me too much now (just a little numbness)but my doctor says it's gonna get worse the more I do.

[bob]

I was talking to a woman that just had it done in January. They are using a less invasive method. Her scar is only 1/2 long. She missed 6 weeks of work.

[jrebeiro]

I have worked in an office with alot of typing for over 5 years. I too have carpal tunnel and cut lawns. I never got the surgery and continue to work ok without it. Are you experiencing great pain only when you squeeze the triggers or just all the time?

[mowerman90]

Jeff

It comes and goes. Mostly, I'll have pain across the top of my right hand after I go to bed at night. Sometimes, while watching TV in the evening both hands will go to sleep. It never seems to bother me while I'm working.

[awm]

not making light of the condition as my soninlaw hasit .
it really steals his hand strenght.
just wonder if the old time farmers who plowed a mule had it. ive seen family pictures of my grandpa headed to the field w a hundred lb fert on his shoulders an another under his arm.

[jrebeiro]

Ed,

Same here I have a terrible problem with my hands falling asleep. I'm 22 years old and with the amount of problems I have with my parts I should be about 85!!! But hopefully in a few years I won't need to be mowing lawns anymore.

[TJLC]

I have it also. It's not real bad, so I live with it. The problem I'm having now is heel pain. Time to see the doctor, I guess.

[Roger]

I've never been checked by a doctor, but I experienced a problem in the first year I did lawnwork full time. That was about five years ago. My problem was my right arm was getting numb when sleeping, at least the lower part of the arm.

I talked to a friend of mine who is a physical therapist. I explained what was happening. He said, "...you are creating a stress in the carpal area of your wrist." I have a hydro w/b, blower and trimmer. But, I thought the problem was from using the trimmer (Shin T-320), the vibration. I learned to hold the trimmer on my left side, rather than the right side, meaning my right hand was on the loop, not next to the engine. Actually, I got quite good and this reverse position. It seemed akward at first, but I learned. But, the problem persisted.

He suggested holding the trimmer differently to take away the stress in the carpal area. Initially, I was holding the trimmer on my right side, right hand on the throttle nearest the engine, left hand on the loop. After his assessment, I then changed my right hand on how I held the handle. My initial position was from the top, over, with the index finger on the throttle. My change was to hold the handle from the bottom, up. I still can use the index finger on the throttle.

This change made the wrist hold the weight differently. Whereas formerly, the inside of the wrist was being squeezed, now the inside of the wrist is being stretched.

This solved my problem!!! My new position doesn't quite give me the control for exactly trimming. Occasionally, I will move my hand to the top for a few moments, but for the vast majority of the time, my hand is underneath.

I also changed how I hold the handled on my LB. Rather than "hand over" postion, I will operate as much as I can with "hand under." Again, the new position of the wrist means the inside of the wrist is being stretched.

BTW, learning to hold the trimmer in the reverse position, left hand on the throttle, right hand on the loop, has enabled me to more quickly do trimming. Rather than move my body to a new position, it is quicker to switch hands on the trimmer. I do this for short periods of time. I am naturally right-handed.

... hope this may work for some of you. I thought I was going to have to quit because of the problem.

[mowerman90]

Thanks to all that replied. It's great to have a forum such as this. I don't feel all alone with my problems any more. I'm going to try holding my trimmer from the bottom and see if that helps any. I sometimes hold it that way when I'm touching up the edge on a bed. I'll let you know if it helps.

[Grateful11]

Some numbness in the hands can be caused by Ulner (not sure on spelling) nerve damage. That's what my doctor told me I had. It's a nerve that runs thru the elbow area and can come from overuse and from resting your elbow on a armrest or car door rest and some other things. I've changed the way I do a few things and haven't had much of a problem since last year. My wife takes vitamin B-6 for the numbness in her hands and it helps. Disclaimer: Check with your doctor before taking any vitamins or minerals.

[PetalsandPines]

I find that I get more injuries from working on the computer than landscaping. My wrists are killing me from leaning down on them, My neck hurts from looking up at the monitor, and my hips hurt from this chair!! Go figure? I don't know whats worse? Pebble in the eye or this!!

[GroundKprs]

Have had CTS for over 30 years. Started learning about it around 30 years ago, and life has gotten better without an operation by education. Dr still makes a point of checking hands at annual physical, to make sure there is no atrophy. Don't need to tough it out, learn how to use hands without stress - be especially aware of new machines and tools, that you are using them without stressing wrist.

The very best trick learned in all that time: wear wrist braces at night. When you are sleeping, you have no conscious control over hand position. By wearing braces limiting wrist bending, you can eliminate the wake ups with pain. I will also wear a brace on right wrist - the worst one - when doing some jobs that wiil always slightly stress wrist. Trick above with trimmer is a example of learning to cope/prevent. Learn to use wrists always in neutral position - just straight, like when they hang at your side, completely relaxed.

The operation is not a guaranteed relief. You must be careful afterward for quite a while, or operation is a wasted effort. Have known people to be worse off a year after the operation than before. The 1/2" operation mentioned above was an arthroscopic procedure - miniature cameras and remote control miniature tools; it gives the quickest recovery time, but is a relatively new procedure, not too widespread yet.

[Roger]

I gave some wrong info in an above posting. In my discussion of an alternative way to hold the trimmer, hand underneath, I said I used my index finger for the throttle.

When out working today, I realized that info was wrong. My index finger is wrapped around the handle, nearly touching my thumb. Rather, I use my ring finger for the throttle control. The middle finger, or small pinkie can also be used, but (after I became conscious of the matter) I realized I was using my ring finger. .... a habit that I really didn't think about.

Sorry for the confusion.

[lawnboy]

I use exmark mowers, and I my hands hurt constently. Do any of you use this type of equip?

[Roger]

I use an Exmark hydro, and have for five years. Any trouble I've had with my hands have not come from the Exmark pistol grips. I think everybody is different and the same piece of equipment develops problems in some, not others. The trimmer was my problem piece of equipment. See above.

[Kevin]

Use the brace at night, also take vitamin B6. Works for me.

[kris]

I also use x-mark and had a problem last year...x-mark is coming out this year with a new grip system that we will be investing in...hopefully this helps

[yardmonkey]

Haven't been reading here daily. Its easy to miss stuff here with so many posts! Went back a couple of pages and found this thread. I have been dealing with hand problems since I started in this business a year ago. Have learned a LOT about it. Much info is on my website at:
http://www.ionet.net/~tslade/hands.htm
I need to update that page with more info, I'm working on this problem and learning every day.

My top recommendations are to get these two books: Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries by Sharon Butler and Pain Free by Pete Egoscue.

I think what bothers me the most is chainsaws and weedeaters. Luckily I don't use the saws alot but mowing season is here again so its back on the weedeaters. Interesting info in above posts on holding the trimmer differently. I'll experiment with that. Might also help to use a strap more. I just ordered a 4-cycle Robin trimmer. I got the Robin over the Honda because it is comparable in weight to a regular trimmer such as a Shin T230 (about 11lbs), whereas the Honda adds 4 or 5 lbs. The 4-cycle should have quite a bit less vibration which I hope will make a difference.

Can't say enough about the Butler book, please get it! And I hope no one falls for any doctor's advice to have surgery. The CTS surgery is very common and usually doesn't solve the problem and winds up making things worse down the road. The ligament that they slice open is there for a reason, as are all the parts of our bodies.

Good luck to all,
Terry Slade

[shorelinelawn]

I've had pain in wrist from either the equipment , and/or this computor !!! Saw Dr. said Carpal tunnel Syndrome. Gave me a brace to wear at night. I used to wake up with right arm totally asleep, extreme pain. Started to use brace and pain went bye - bye !!!! Also began to use bicycle gloves when using equipment . They have gel inserts in palm, and is only a half glove( no fingers ). They are only about 20 bucks or so. They help too, but you sure get a weird tan on your hands !!!! The worst pc of equipment I have is my Lesco aerator. This thing just beats the crap out of my hands & wrist.It's not that it;s in bad shape, heck it's only got about 30 hours on it ! It is just not an easy machine to operate.
Oh well, the things wedo for money ..............

[Roger]

Shorelinelawn:
Where did you get the brace? Did it require a prescription from a doctor, somehow fitted for you? Or, are they on the shelf at major drug stores? ... sporting goods stores?

[ETturfman]

I have the same problem in my right wrist due to the weedeater. It started out with tendonitis in both arms and the Dr. had me on prescription anti-inflammatory pills for two months and it's helped a lot. Now the top of my right wrist hurts and wears out real easy when I'm weedeating. So I've done the same thing as mentioned above - holding it from the bottom up to give the wrist a break. It helps.

I priced wrist braces at the physical therapy place I went to for my tendonitis and I found almost the exact same brace at Wal-Mart for a lot less. I wear it every now and then but should wear it more often to keep the pain from escalating.

Hope it gets better!

[Evrgreen]

Found a better than average brace thru "lab safety -supply
1-800 356-0783
www.labsafety.com
Using the ergodyne proflex .only about $15.00 It has an open internal cutout over the inner wrist..Thinking about some impact gloves,or gel biking ones.The antivibration gloves I have are kind of thin and marginal.Wrapping hardware store pipe foam sheaths on my handles helped ..Bad carpal tunnel in left hand for 6 mounths+,almost recovered now,but easily reinjured.I also read up on and used vitimin B6 and 12,DMSO MSM, Vitimin C,threw in calicium and magnesium.Hot Hot hand soaks in a big pot make a big difference healing and stopping pain.Example-Hand hurt like crazy just prepping a frozen turky,ran some hot water and finished job.Read that surgury may be needed sometimes to prevent/lessen nerve damage if nerves are being crushed too much.I did not ever have numbness in my hands though.Went from some weakness to full on CP in 6 to 8 weeks,Though the job itself Id done for 3 years part tim.
Shoveling and scraping roofing tar paper off(flat shovel) 1 day a week is hurting and risking my hand too much again,I try to recover before proceeding.
MSM was not a miracle cure,but I liked the topical and internal stuff I used.Not poisonous like ibruprofren either,no side effects.

[Highpoint]

All of you need to go to the Chiropractor!!!! I am not kidding!!!! Mine fixed the problem over a couple of weeks!!! I am not kidding!! NO SURGERY! Very minimal cost, does not hurt, you gotta try it!! I am not Kidding!!:jester:

[Hip2u77]

I worked at the Ford KC Assembly Plant for 7 years and have worked in lawn care for 5 years or so. Doing the same thing every 58 seconds (one car every 58 seconds) on the line caused CTS in no time flat. As funny as this sounds the main thing I learned in all my years of having CTS to prevent further damage is to not "white knuckle" things but to just "hold" them. Like when I'm running a Redmax trimmer and make sure both hands have a grip just tight enough to hold it up and only use as much pressure as needed to squeeze the throttle. Sounds like common sence but next time you all are working delibertly think about how hard your holding your equipment. Let the equipment do the work. We use dixie xw2500's, redmax blowers and trimmers, encore walk behinds, etc and I haven't had any "pain" for years now. Well, besides that sunburn....

Hope this helps.

[awm]

my recommendation a little featherlite trimmer
high octane gas ,ans stihl 50-1 . with that mix it will
cut like a pro and last to. also your wrist wont hurt as much

[lawnboykb]

Some times when I work real hard by the next day my wrist would be killing me. And I noticed that at night I would bend them at timess almost 90' now I make sure that I keep them straight and man you talking about a differance.

[jbob]

i realize this is an old post.
this is my first year in the bizz and i am having bad time with my arms going numb at night. Dr gave me braces. used a few nights and saw no difference. am just starting to study the problem and can see i have a lot to learn.
thanks for all the good imfo.

jbob

[Lakeview]

Couldnt hurt to see a chiropractor. Another alternative would be an accupuncturist. You could also try some of the VAX - D treatments. I heard some of the VAX - D treatments are effective in relieving and correcting CTS.

[ken aufiero]

here's some info on a vitamin supplement that has helped me and several other individuals that I know. I have a lot of info on this, if you would like to read more, E-mail me and I'll send it...
ken_aufiero@yahoo.com

Now cardiologists, oncologists and many other medical specialists and health professionals understand how one group of nutrients can protect us against so many different - and seemingly unrelated - diseases."
"'Pyc' is especially good at neutralizing the hydroxyl radical, the superoxide radical, singlet oxygen, and the dangerous chemical peroxynitrate... What makes peroxynitrate so dangerous is that it reacts with anything: fats, proteins, DNA, membrane, et cetra. It doesn't really matter what - peroxynitrate reacts! Excessive nitric oxide production is associated with arthritis, diabetes, stroke, septic shock, chronic inflammation, and atherosclerosis. The damage it does can easily lead to gene mutations, which replicate themselves as the beginnings of cancer...
"The good news is that Pycnogenol is great at neutralizing peroxynitrate. It also reduces the amount of superoxide available that makes peroxynitrate and it helps to regulate the nitric oxide production so that it stays in balance. That means your immune system works better, your joints hurt less, and your blood flows better, all because of Pycnogenol...

[jeffex]

try vitamin B-6 . Worked for me . given info by a nurse.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by jrebeiro
Ed,

Same here I have a terrible problem with my hands falling asleep. I'm 22 years old and with the amount of problems I have with my parts I should be about 85!!! But hopefully in a few years I won't need to be mowing lawns anymore.

If your pinky's fall asleep too, you have a different condition..........
Pete

[David Haggerty]

When it gets bad enough you'll get the surgery or you'll get crippled.
The Doc has a simple little test to tell how bad it has gotten. Mine cost $85.
I still have very slight numbness long finger right hand. I couldn't have worked this year without surgery.

It ain't that big of a deal today. The most common surgical procedure in America today.

I was riding my motorcycle in a week! Not really gripping anything though. I'd recommend scheduling surgery in the beginning of the off season. You don't want to work your hands too hard right after surgery because it can create scar tissue. You could actually wind up worse off.

I'd forgot I'd ever had carpal tunnel till I saw this thread.
Looked up my old website I created about it.
Here it is if you want to see:
http://www.pbase.com/thecampingman/carpal_tunnel_&page=1

Dave

[sildoc]

Originally posted by jrebeiro
Ed,

Same here I have a terrible problem with my hands falling asleep. I'm 22 years old and with the amount of problems I have with my parts I should be about 85!!! But hopefully in a few years I won't need to be mowing lawns anymore.
Your hands are probably falling asleep because you have a pinched nerve, either in the elbow as stated above or in the cervical vertibra.
There are a few ideas on how to relieve the numbness or falling asleep feeling. One is see a doctor and get some good muscle relaxants(problem when you are working because you want to fall asleep all the time).
Second is go to a chiropractor and have him realign your cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertabra and then have them look at the elbow and shoulder joints.
I have found that the chiropractor is the best when you have to work but a combo of both works great.
As for CTS(carpal tunnel syndrome) You can keep from haveing surgery if you go to a good physical therapist and get a good exercise/stretching routine from them. most pain is caused by the flexor retinaculum (a muscle in the wrist) that restricts movement and irritates the median nerve thus causing chronic pain or CTS.
Hope this helps.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by ETturfman
I have the same problem in my right wrist due to the weedeater. It started out with tendonitis in both arms and the Dr. had me on prescription anti-inflammatory pills for two months and it's helped a lot

Hope it gets better!

This will help. First, buy the Redmax bt225. It's a very light, extremely smooth running machine. Yes, it's a bentshaft, but that's OK. Next, run the smaller .065 string and then balance the head by trial and error using a small sheet metal. This does work. I've had two frozen shoulders, one needed to be "manually straightened in a hospital operation, and tendonitus in both elbows.
I'm fine now, due to changing and modifying the right weed whacker and using correct working techniques.
This happened over 10 years ago, I'm now 53 and better than ever. You want to fix the problem so you can live to retirement;)
Pete

[zrider441]

I have had CTS for a number of years prior to doing yard work. Steady viberation can cause numbness. I had minor surgery 7 years ago on one wrist and the doctor recommended using braces especially at night because we tend to tighten our hands during sleep. At times I will wear a brace during the day.

I switched to the Husky 322/322L, they are light with very little viberation. This seems to help.

[sildoc]

Originally posted by zrider441
I have had CTS for a number of years prior to doing yard work. Steady viberation can cause numbness.



Vibration induced numbness (VIN) is not a very common problem and usually hit timber fallers in the old days before they had all of the antivibration gadgets. You would really have to be using the whacker all day, day after day after day and so on before you would see any signs of VIN. The breaks we get using the mowers and blowers ( as a sole opperator) or switching between the crew would lead me to believe that VIN would be somewhat impossible to get. Yes bad habits and improper holding and bending would increase the chances but still think it is more due to the fact that a nerve is pinched somewhere between the cervical vertebrae and the wrist.
I am not saying that you can't get early signs but should subside quite quickly after using whacker.

[sheppard]

mowerman90,

Please do not get talked into surgery! There is a better way that is less expensive, with no complications or unintended results.

Get the book Pain Free by Pete Egoscue. This costs 12 to 15 dollars. No I don't get anything for recommending it to you.

When I started, 2 years ago, I had intense pain in my right elbow and in my right and left knee. It was so bad I would wake up at night with BAD pain.

Started considering surgery. After surfing on the library data base I stumbled across Pain Free. Ordered it and read it. After trying the excercises for less than 10 days the pain dissapeared. Never to return.

There is no chanting or running around in a loin cloth around a camp fire. It's just holding positions for 2 to 30 minutes (depending on the excercise or severity of pain).

Get the book! For the love of Pete, get it from the library first if you want to preview it like I did. Just don't get talked into surgery..it only makes your pain WORSE!!!!!!!!

Cordially,
Sheppard

[Ryan Lightning]

Im only 26 and had no problems, til last year when I got my 48TTHP exmark. Now my wrists kill me sometimes, espically when Im using my mower. Also when typing and using the mouse.
Has anyone swicthed to the ECS just to help this problem?

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by sildoc
I am not saying that you can't get early signs but should subside quite quickly after using whacker.

Two things to keep in mind. Some guy's use machines that really vibrate and second and most important.... "Everyone is different" and the amount of vibration needed to cause damage varies greatly from person to person......
Pete

[Mr Lucky]

I have it too. My hands go numb when I sleep...or try to sleep. It seems to be getting a little better, but by knowing what it is I have made adjustments in the way I do things.

[sildoc]

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com
Two things to keep in mind. Some guy's use machines that really vibrate and second and most important.... "Everyone is different" and the amount of vibration needed to cause damage varies greatly from person to person......
Pete
This is true, but the average joe that mows does not use the whacker or edger or any thing else that would cause VIN(vibration induced numbness).
Any body has numbness or tingling after an hour or so of whacking, edging , cuting wood or such. It is the nerve endings sending such to the brain. Like I said after time, say a hour or less VIN is gone. Try it I can tell you if it is still there you have a major problem, that if you are luck and stop using the equiptment forever might subside.