Thread: Carpal Tunnel

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Originally Posted by Mike P

As I said I've had 2 experiences with the program. When you get referred and contact them the people on the phone are nice enough but it is a bureaucracy, and after you get off the phone it's a crap shoot if they will actually do what they said they would (actually your information is put into a computer system and the action itself will be handled by someone else).

I fortunately have been pretty lucky and overall all I’m in pretty good health so I haven’t had to have a lot of medical care. As I don't even know what Dr(s)/clinics are in the area I just let the Choice Program assign me one. In both cases when I was put on the Choice Program I was asked if I had a preference on which Dr I wanted to see. I think that was my biggest mistake. Winding my way thru the bureaucracy was doable but the quality of the Dr/ Clinics Choice assigned me to left a lot to be desired. If god forbid I end up on the Choice program sometime in the future I will check around and get my own recommendations on which Dr I want to see.

I’ve heard the horror stories about some peoples experiences in various VA facilities. My experience with VA in Tucson and the local clinic has been positive overall. Fortunately they now have a new Dr in the local clinic and I am back in the VA system. After a quick review of the physical that was done by the Choice assigned provider, the VA Clinic has decided to redo the physical and I have an appointment with them in a couple of weeks. Basically our tax dollars spent on the Choice provider for my “care” were simply wasted.



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I used the Choice system for some therapy to get back in some kind of shape after my last pneumonia experience, it's a 50 mile drive to the VA but the Choice system got me with our local hospital and I used their facility and staff. It sure did help the recovery and being able to go a few blocks to the local hospital beat the heck out of the 100 mile round trip to the VA! I've also heard all the VA horror stories, I guess I'm very fortunate in that the VA facility is IMO really first rate! I've been a "client" there since 1972 and have seen a lot of changes over the years with all of them being positive improvements!

Dave I hear you about the VA. I was evaluated by the VA in Tucson in 91 when I retired and the place was scary. I didn't go back until around 2005 or so and was amazed at the improvement....both in the facilities and the Staff. With a couple of exceptions (who are gone now) all the Drs and staff I dealt with have been outstanding. My dealing with Choice have been a real horror show but that was the result of the civilian Drs I was assigned. If I ever go back on Choice I'll do my own research on a Dr I want to see rather than let the program make the decision for me.

Interesting (?) visit with the VA hand Dr yesterday. Yes I do have carpal tunnel....but it is relatively minor. The symptoms on that is just a bit of tingling in my little finger, it still has feeling and dexterity and the tingling I can live with and wouldn't worry about if that was the only problem.

The real problem and what is causing all the pain is arthritis in my wrist. I didn’t see that coming ….. I kind of figured with the diagnosis of carpal tunnel a couple of years ago that that was the problem.


The Dr did give me a cortisone shot in the wrist, but that hasn’t done any good so far. She and I had a long talk and the “cure” appears to be removal of one of my wrist bones. I’ll probably lose a bit of strength but should be able to do a fair amount of things I can’t currently do without a lot of pain.

The surgery is more involved that the typical carpal tunnel surgery I had planned on and it will result I a longer healing time. I think I’m going to be glad I had the electric garage door and gate installed. I’m also glad Cade is coming along so well …..I suspect I’ll be relying on him a fair amount while I heal up. Driving the stick cars will also be out of the question for a little bit apparently .

We’re planning on having the surgery done in early January……it’s a lot easier on me staying in the house instead of the garage when the weather cools off.

Well that’s the update.



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Mike, I had that surgery about 30 years back, it got rid of the pain and the wrist "lock ups". My wrists don't work all that great now, but then not much else on my old bod does either! Oh well, getting old sure ain't for sissies! Good luck with the surgery!

" ......Oh well, getting old sure ain't for sissies!...."

I hear you Dave. every year I just have to get used to what the "new normal" is.



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I heard from VA yesterday and the surgery is set for Jan 7th. The timing is good, I'll be healing while it's colder here and there is less I fell like I need to be outside doing.

The wrist has been hurting quite a bit the last few days so I'm looking forward to hopefully not being in so much pain, but a bit concerned about how much strength I'll eventually get back in it.

Now it's a mad rush to get all I can/need to do done before the operation.



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Good luck with the surgery Mike, hope it helps you as much as my surgery helped my wrists!

Quick update.


Had surgery Monday. Things appear to have gone OK. They did a nerve block which took about 24 hours to wear off, so I was pain free without meds for first day.

I'm on pain killers now which keeps the pain level down to about where it was when I was having a bad day with the arthritis.

I don't know if they put any metal in to replace/support where they took the bone out, I'll find that out when i get a chance to talk to the Dr in 2 weeks.

Bored to death so far, but should feel able to go over to Dave's machine shop and bug him in a day or 2. I should be OK as long as I stay away from EBay and Amazon while I recover......Hot Heads may be a different story


Typing one handed SUCKS

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Heal well...…………..

Sounds like a bit more than carpal tunnel. Don't rush the healing prosses I tried that several times and have learned you CAN do more damage doing that. Slow and easy. Your in my prayers

No hi fives either! Like Bob say Heal well soon!

Try to go easy Mike and let it all heal up.
I know, easy for me to say... but as I get older I find it's easier to "veg out"...

Mike, I'm glad it went well! Don't over do it. Feel free to send some Hot heads shiny goodies my way.

Look after yourself mate; go visit the library and find yourself some good reading...

Thanks everybody.

I'm definitely going to be taking it easy and following the Dr orders.......and be honest with her about what I want/need to do. Things like wrestling the Hemi heads around, pulling a torque wrench, cutting and splitting wood etc.

I'm out of the sling now at least and cutting back on the pain meds. Probably going to see how driving goes today.

I've resigned myself that if there is stuff I can't do, I can't do it......but hopefully I'll be able to once I've healed. The right wrist has been pretty much worthless and painful for a lot of stuff the last year or so. so even if I don't get the strength back but the pain is relieved, it's still a win.



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I am happy to hear that you are doing well in recovery, hope the process continues in that direction. Certainly was a bit more than simple carpal tunnel syndrome,huh?

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