Crafts

I even had to get ulnar nerve realignment - that's the funny bone nerve. If you have problems with the last two fingers on your hands going to sleep, that's the one that is needed.

My hands would go completely to sleep. I thought I had a pinched nerve in my neck - not an unreasonable thought since I've had several concussions and a number of other injuries that could affect the neck. My doctor sent me to a neurologist who didn't even do the full testing. His results showed bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the worst cases he'd ever seen.

I had the right hand done in 2013, the left in 2014. The left also had arthroplasty - they transplanted a piece of tendon into the joint on my left thumb to replace missing cartilage.

The carpal tunnel surgery was not bad and I could stitch pretty quickly after they were done. The ulnar nerve relocation was a little inconvenient - the incision is in an awkward place, right where I tend to put my elbow on my armrest - but it healed fast.

The arthroplasty was a PITA. My thumb had to be kept immobile for 4-6 weeks. It's amazing what you can't do with only one working thumb! I couldn't stitch, couldn't dress myself, couldn't shower properly and so forth. In the long run, I'm glad I did it but if I'd realized what a pain it would be I probably wouldn't have.

I'm back to stitching as much as every and it is such a relief to not have to take breaks to let my hands "wake up." About a month before the first surgery I went to a needlework seminar and kept having to stop and shake my hands to get the feeling back. The teacher was very concerned and kept checking on me.

Insurance covered the surgeries - the first was done the same year as my knee replacements so I'd already paid the maximum out of pocket when we set it up. I did use an out of network doctor - I've been going to the same orthopedic clinic since 1993 when they rebuilt my left shoulder and trust them more than any other place in the South East so I was willing to pay what the insurance wouldn't cover.

Before you go for the surgery, see about getting physical therapy. it might help though my hand surgeon said stitching is pretty good therapy.

Also, make your own cold packs - 1 part rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water. If each part is 1 cup and you double bag the solution in gallon ziplocks, the frozen pack stays flexible enough to wrap around your hand or elbow. They stay cold a long, long time, but make two so one is always in the freezer. I found they worked better than the pain pills and would fall asleep with one wrapped around my hand.

Plan on physical therapy after the surgery - the exercises are simple but it does make a difference.

Good luck!