The High Cost of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

July 19, 2007

My doctor confirmed my fears yesterday, I’ve typed my way into Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  I go in for another test Friday to determine the extent of the problem.

So far it’s cost me a $25 co-pay and $45 for a pair of wrist splints.  Unfortunately, the highest cost has been my lack of productivity in my job and in my side business. I’m afraid to calculate what that might cost me.  The good news is I have short term disability insurance so if I have to miss work for several weeks I’ll still have some money coming in.  Hopefully with the right treatment I’ll be back in business in no time and won’t have to resort to that.

The bad news is that in order to give my wrists and median nerves a rest I’ll have to cut way back on the time I spend on the computer.  This will likely mean fewer blog posts and fewer items sold on eBay for a while.  If anyone is interested in writing a few guest articles while I rest my wrists just shoot me an email via my contact form

One word of advice to those that use the computer extensively in their life, get an ergonomics expert to checkout your workspace and posture.  Believe me, it’s worth it!

Ben

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Ben
Ben Edwards, the founder of Money Smart Life, saved up enough to buy a Nintendo back when he was 12 years old. When he used the money to buy shares of Wal-Mart stock instead, he knew he wasn't like the other kids... His addiction to personal finance has paid off for his family and now he's helping you to afford the life that you want. Check him out on the web at Google Plus, Twitter and Facebook.

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9 Responses to The High Cost of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Safe Computing Tips

    Hey Ben,

    Here are some exercises for your C T S Hope they will be helpful for you and your visitors..

    Carpal tunnel exercise for Wrist is that, first make a loose fist with your right hand, then keep the palm in upward position and after that use the left hand to press it gently down against the clenched hand. Now resist the force of the left hand with the closed right hand for five seconds, but be sure that the wrist is kept straight. After that turn the right hand fist palm downwards and press it against the knuckles with the left hand for five seconds and after that finally, turn the right palm in such a way that the thumb-side of the fist is up and press down again for five seconds. After this repeat the same process with the left hand.

    Second simple Carpal tunnel exercise is that which is called as wrist circles. According to this wrist circle draw clockwise circles in air with the tips of second and third fingers, which are kept up and close together. After that repeat the same process with left hand.

    Third easy Carpal tunnel exercise is that first hold a hand straight up next to the shoulder with fingers together and palm facing outward, somewhat like a shoulder-high salute position. After that, bend the hand backward with the fingers still held together with the help of another hand and hold it for five seconds. After that open the fingers and thumb with the hand being in the same bent back position and hold it for five seconds. Now repeat the same process with another hand.

  • Ben

    Thanks for the well wishes Digerati Life!

    Happy Rock, I’ll have to check out that book. I’m willing to try whatever I can to get back in action, thanks for the tip!

  • The Happy Rock

    I am a similar aged software developer also. Two years back I has having wrist problems that were getting worse each month. The finally got to a point were I could only type for a minute or two without being in pain. I was always a fan of ergonomics, but things weren’t changing. I finally found something that worked for me.

    http://www.amazon.com/Pain-Free-Revolutionary-Stopping-Chronic/dp/0553379887/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-0762731-7342517?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184951753&sr=1-1
    Pete Egoscue

    He also has a Pain Free at the PC book which I bought first, and might be more applicable.

    I really liked his philosophy, since it matched my outlook on medicine. His idea is that our bodies are designed to handle much more than typing at a computer all day. He argues that ergonomics attacks the symptom not the problem, even surgery is still fixing a symptom. The cause in his opinion muscular skeletal imbalance. He has a series of test and stretches that helps identify the weakness in your body, and then strengthen them. Amazingly, he argued that my wrist problems stemmed from back tightness and hamstring tightness. The improper posture and flexibility was causing little tendons in the body to carry the load that should be carried by the major muscles. After a few years behind the desk, and not much working out my hamstrings were very tight. I could only do the one exercise for about 15 seconds the first time I tried it, when he argued that it should be a very comfortable sitting position. After about a month or two of exercises, the pain was completely gone. I didn’t even spend the amount of time the he recommends(which is a lot). It may be worth a shot, if you liked anything I wrote. I am not an expert, I just know that it worked from me. Let me know, if you have any questions. Hope I didn’t sound to preachy, I am just grateful for the health.

  • The Digerati Life

    So sorry to hear about this Ben. I hope you get better soon, and keep us updated. Many of us are in “danger” of such a situation happening and we could certainly learn from your experience….esp. being able to bounce back from something like this!

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