Is surgery the best cure for CTS? I found that simple exercises can stop the symptoms and although diagnosed with this about 8 years ago, I do not suffer with it. I also wonder does the surgery always work or can it reoccur? A couple of the employees have had this surgery which has led them to being off work for 6 weeks per hand. I would be interested in any opinions on this.

Not had to deal with RSI or CTS much in the real world yet but foun this great wee website last year when doing my PGc. http://www.rsi.org.uk/te...hazard/computer_user.asp

Thanks for the replies and yes I have had a good look on the web. The reason for this question is that this may be preventable in the first place and being the health part of health and safety. It has just cost my company approximately £7,000 for one man (Sick pay, overtime, etc). Maybe by promoting some simple exercises and making it common knowledge that there is an alternative to surgery may be beneficial to both the employee and the company? Like Phil said about his friend and that it had little benefit, apparently this is not uncommon, that is if you believe all you read on the web. Unfortunately I'm not a doctor and do not have the resources to carry out an in depth analysis of this but would like to know.

Thanks Martin to you and your wife for the information. It wasn’t really about me as I gave some MHO training the other day and covered WRULD and was asked the question on CTS and how I never had the operation while the other person did. I didn’t mention the exercise as I could not justify it, yes it works for me but I had no real hard facts. I now have that and can answer honestly that it depends on the condition. Best regards Paul

My wife recently had the CT operation... Before the operation her hand would go knumb in the night unless she wore the wrist splint. She would not be able to feel the ends of her fingers whilst watching the TV. The Specialist stated it would get worse and her fist would begin to curl inward! After the operation, it took about three weeks before she could swing a golf club steadaly and a month before she got back to using her hand. I would say she felt the after effects for about 10 weeks. But now she is glad to have had the operation.

Hi, I had surgery last march. Whilst it has greatly improved the symptoms I still have some discomfort. I had the surgery because I was in considerable pain etc. and often was disturbed in my sleep. The surgery is apparently not a "for life cure" and in most cases has to be repeated on average after 5 years. This, I guess, depends on what type of work you do and how much " protection" you can offer the wrist. The surgery it's self was carried out under local anaesthetic. I did experience considerable pain for around 2 weeks after the surgery. It is possible that I contributed to the situation that, I am not "discomfort" free by delaying the surgery (pressure of work), for 2 years after being told I required it. Indeed I only had it done when the hospital consultant told me if I delayed any further I would risk permanent damage. I also, for similar reasons to above came back to work after under 3 weeks, although I was told to take 4 to 5 weeks off by the doc. and didn't pay proper attention to the advice that, whilst the surgery wasn't particularly "difficult" or intrusive, the recovery time was crucial. I guess it's really up to the individual if they wish to go down the surgery route.. for me it has helped but not returned my wrist to pre the onset of the condition.. Like all these things prevention is the best option. Hope this helps.

Me too! I had the surgery in 2005, and although it hasn't been a complete cure, it's been much better and "liveable-with". From memory I was able to do most normal things as soon as the stitches came out, but it was a while before I could swing a hammer or anything like that. I wonder if the fact that I haven't had a recurrence is because, having been through it once, I've been a lot more careful about the things that are said to cause it - correct posture at the PC etc? The main advice I give people now is as soon as you notice symptoms, see your GP straight away - I left it until it was bad enough that the over-the-counter painkillers weren't controlling it, and then had to go on a 2 year waiting list for treatment. If I'd seen the doc straight away, it might never have got to that stage.