Carpal tunnel

[woodsy]

Hi, everyone. I have recently been diagnosed with carpal tunnel (syndrome). It is not a result of using a keyboard, but rather decades of doing so much with my hands (like running machine tools, commercial furniture-making, log-splitting, etc.) My concern/question is whether continued (moderate) handgun practice, with non-magnum calibers will have a bad effect on my hands. My only medical professional who I feel safe with asking about using firearms is my nephew. Most regular doctors in the northeast have a rather dim view about guns in general. I would like general opinions, especially from those who have/had the same problem. Thanks.

 

[eveled]

I had both done at the same time. Mine was pretty severe. They had a test when they would shock your finger tips then see how long it took for you to feel it. It was like 4 seconds on most fingers.

I would get phantom shocks from things that have no electricity. Like splitting wood, and the axe zaps you! Felt like sticking your finger in a socket.

Wake up in the middle of the night in agony. Hands so numb they hurt, and no way to make it stop.

They told me if I didn't get it done I was doing permanent damage. I got the impression it was from the blockage not from continued use.

I had it done in my early 30's. The surgery is a cake walk. Couldn't do anything for a week, then 5 more weeks out of work. Went right back to normal. Guns bows tools etc

20 plus years later still no pain no scars no limits.

 

[hittman]

Not sure I'd risk it if your surgery is scheduled soon.
Go shoot and you'll find out.

 

[Dan in MI]

I had my right done in 96. Other than slightly weaker grip no issues. My left could use it, but it is not as bad.

I shot in the state silhouette championships less than two weeks after surgery. I still remember taking practice shots to test it out. No problem. 1st shot for score my brain screams "This is gonna hurt!" I jerk the trigger, BOOM! Dumped it in the dirt.

 

[WAYNO]

I have had carpal tunnel surgery in both hands. They are both the most successful surgeries I've ever had. As a pipefitter, I've used the palm and pad of my hands as hammers too many times and it took its toll. The energies my hand absorbs while shooting a heavy recoiling revolver is different than the wear and tear of my profession, and there have been no ill effects on my hands, before or after my surgeries. And of course, I'm only speaking of my own experiences. I do not play a doctor.

 

[Rumrunner]

I had it bad in both hands from working frozen cargo in Alaska. Plan was to do one at a time. While healing from surgery on my right hand my left just got better so I didn't have it done. Simple surgery as noted. This was about 25 years ago. I am right-handed and have had no ill effects from recoil, shooting 44's, 480, and a Contender in 375 Win.

 

[blume357]

good question and great answers... this forum rules. Amazing that I don't have it, at least I don't think I do. My wife had the surgery a few years back, but she doesn't shoot... I thought it was interesting that they actually block all the blood to your arm for a few minutes while doing the surgery... but I learned last week in a class that you can keep a tourniquet on for up to 8 hours with out doing permanent damage.

Oh and after the operation in recovery the nurse was giving her instructions and threw in "no washing dishes or cleaning house for 6 months."

 

[eveled]

Typical. The pipefitters and plumbers are back doing heavy labor in 6 weeks. The housewives can't do dishes for 6 months! Lol.

Women are definitely conspiring against us.

 

[Rumrunner]

Also, while hot water feels better, cold water helps more.

 

[Dusty Roads]

Had the procedure on my shooting hand about a year ago-fully successful. Make sure you follow through with physical therapy, it's almost as important as the procedure itself. I was blessed with really outstanding PT folks, part of the therapy involved working with my guns!

 

[Mobuck]

This has not been an issue for me. I had both hands fixed in 2008 - 4 weeks apart. Really didn't miss much work although that wasn't a concern (much of my 're-hab' consisted of running the reloading press handle BTW). I'm ambidextrous on a basic level so not any functional issues.
Most will note that I'm not an 'easy chair' sort of guy so if my surgeries were successful and long lasting, most others could expect the same. I do remain cautious about using the palm of my hand as a hammer and have noted that pushing stakes into hard ground using the palms isn't a great experience. On a couple of occasions I have experienced what the family Dr said was 'a migrating stitch' but that was only a minor discomfort.
I should have had the CT surgeries several years sooner but simply wasn't able to accept being partially disabled for so long at the earlier time.

 

[JackBull]

Hi, everyone. I have recently been diagnosed with carpal tunnel (syndrome). It is not a result of using a keyboard, but rather decades of doing so much with my hands (like running machine tools, commercial furniture-making, log-splitting, etc.) My concern/question is whether continued (moderate) handgun practice, with non-magnum calibers will have a bad effect on my hands. My only medical professional who I feel safe with asking about using firearms is my nephew. Most regular doctors in the northeast have a rather dim view about guns in general. I would like general opinions, especially from those who have/had the same problem. Thanks.

I was diagnosed with CTS. Cut out coffee and began taking time-released, high quality B vitamins with high amounts of B6. It worked.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

My CTS went away when I retired, thank goodness.

 

[Huskerguy72]

I did auto collision repair for 25 years so I used/abused my hands. I am now 68 and three years ago I was having pain/tingling in my right hand. Did all the electric tests and it turned out I also had an elbow nerve issue. I had them both done at the same time and the elbow looked awful but healed great, the wrist looked great but was very slow to completely heal. PT was an option but not required. I think it was close to a year before I had no pain at all.

My wife had it several years ago she healed in just a few weeks and was back to normal. If you ask the surgeon why they will explain it to you and you will understand why there is such a variance.

 

[gunman42782]

I have had carpul tunnel surgery on both wrists. The first one was 25-30 years ago, my right hand that I shoot with. I let it go too long, and it took me about a year after the surgery to really start to heal up. Since then I have shot untold amounts of .44 Mags, which is high as I feel the need to go. Only very recently have I noticed my hand having some pain, and that just from .45 ACP. But, I attribute that to age more than the surgery.

 

[freakindawgen]

I have it but now that I'm retired it doesn't bother me as much. My left hand does have that confractures(?) Diesease like John Elway. It bothers me trying to get a grip on larger items as my hand does not fully open. Haven't shot left handed since it got bad but not sure it will bother it, I can grip.

 

[langenc]

If you need it get it done, sooner than later.
Shooting 2 weks later shouldnt be a problem. it is not your shoulder, that is MUCH different, 6 weeks in a sling to start. I had that about 12 yrs ago.

 

[KIR]

Card dealers in a casino are prone to it. My wife got it and the doctor prescribed a leather wrist brace. Naturally the casino bosses had to inspect it to make sure she could not hide any cards in it.
I had it for several weeks after playing a video coin machine game and it only stopped when I stopped playing...PAC MAN!