The dreaded Carpel Tunnel Syndrome / white finger

[Bowlander]

Hi, i am fortunate not to be dependent on a chainsaw to make my living at the moment. However, i do have my basic CS30 & 31 and i was looking at a career change.

 

In September 2011 i worked in scotland for a couple of weeks with a husky saw, clearing Rhododendron. I wore gloves, the saw didnt have heated handles but it wasnt cold. I had pins and needles in my hands for two weeks after that trip. It wasnt painful, just strange. In june this year i did only a couple of hours chainsawing and had the mild pins and needles again in the afternoon. I have seen my GP who reckons that it could be carpel tunnel

 

I have taken to wearing wrist braces at night and doing some exercises. Its not painful and i hope that it clears completely.

 

So should i sell the chainsaw and give up the dream? I really dont want to go down the route of needing an operation. I would appreaciate advice from folk who've had experience of this. Thanks very much.

[HCR]

Maybe ask your GP to refer you to a specialist - there's probably a fix available if you speak to the right person, which might not be a generalist doctor. Alternatively look for a good sports massage/therapy person.

 

Whereabouts in Bowland are you? I used to live just outside Chipping.

[Nick Watkins]

Carpel tunnel can be resolved by an operation, you say you don't want to go down that route but if that is your only option then it should be a consideration. There is a pretty good explanation of it here Carpal tunnel release surgery | Bupa UK

 

White finger sounds more like Raynauds, Raynaud's Disease - NHS Choices

[matt.akers]

I have the same but mine is really painful at night, had injection in both my wrist of steroids to try and stop the swelling of the nerve, but have only taken the edge off, only two options left, give up the saw work or have the op, looks like I'll give the op a try, seems quite quick, takes about 15min under a nerve block in your arm. Good luck,

[Proclimber]

Not sure you would get carpel tunnel in such a short frame time unless you increased a problem that was already there. Are you in IT?

It is not white finger that takes a long time to develop 10 years +. Its either your hands are not used to the vibration of the saw or you have slight carpal tunnel already.

I had carpel tunnel through saws and the pc and I went private and had steroid injections, one on each wrist. That was about 10 years ago and i not had any problems since so its not the end of the world. Failing that a operation which takes 40 mins to an hour and can be done under GA will totally resolve CTS.

Copper bracers help alot if your in pain now.

Keeping your saw sharp is a must too Hope this helps

[Stubby]

Hi, i am fortunate not to be dependent on a chainsaw to make my living at the moment. However, i do have my basic CS30 & 31 and i was looking at a career change.

 

In September 2011 i worked in scotland for a couple of weeks with a husky saw, clearing Rhododendron. I wore gloves, the saw didnt have heated handles but it wasnt cold. I had pins and needles in my hands for two weeks after that trip. It wasnt painful, just strange. In june this year i did only a couple of hours chainsawing and had the mild pins and needles again in the afternoon. I have seen my GP who reckons that it could be carpel tunnel

 

I have taken to wearing wrist braces at night and doing some exercises. Its not painful and i hope that it clears completely.

 

So should i sell the chainsaw and give up the dream? I really dont want to go down the route of needing an operation. I would appreaciate advice from folk who've had experience of this. Thanks very much.

 

Have the opp , it a doddle . Its day surgery in and out . A few stitches in your hand . I had it done and never looked back . Mine was caused/manifested itself buy motor bike track days . .

[slack ma girdle]

Nettle stings on your wrists after using the saw will stop any inflamation, and long term problem that are associated.

 

Sent from my Galaxy arse using tupping talk.

Check ALL the simple things first.

[windfall]

I was told I had CT by my gp, I went to see a sports physio who said it was a problem with my back. 3 1 hour sessions later and the numbness and tingling had gone.

 

The physio cost £45 a session I think, best money I ever spent.

[Bowlander]

Hi thanks to Proclimber et al for all your comments. I think i will see a private physio for a confirmation of diagnosis. GP's can be a bit hit n miss. I got the intense pins n needles after probably 3 full days / week chainsaw use over two weeks. It could have been brought on by the fact that i went from an occasional saw user to a full time one too quickly!

 

I do use computers a lot for work but i thought i had good posture. I think i've been overdoing it on the typing though, doing long hours. Its a combination of things.

[likeitorlumpit]

Don't rule out Raynauds- you can experience the tingling on warm windy days.