carpal tunnel on side with lymph node removal

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cc90118
cc90118 Member Posts: 12
edited June 2014 in Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity

I've been putting off carpal tunnel surgery for years. I was thinking about work when this question dawned on me. Will I ever be able to have that surgery now? With the no iv, no blood pressure from that arm I'm thinking not likely. I won't be seeing a surgeon again for sometime. I will ask my oncologist what she knows. Any experience would be appreciated. Thanks

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited September 2013

    cc90118; I just found your post and I would assume that not many have this issue, but I think have developed carpal tunnel on my arm where my lymph nodes were removed.  

    Was wondering what your onc suggested and if your problem continues?

    Thx Heather

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  • cc90118
    cc90118 Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2013

    I haven't discussed it with her. Sorry it took so long i haven't been on site much. The carpal tunnel has been an on going issue for me. I've put it off so long and have been working less with all that's been going on it seems some better.

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited September 2013

    I've had bilateral carpal tunnel surgery, but no lymph note removal, so my story won't help.

    Here's a Pubmed abstract on about 40 women who had both mastectomy and carpal tunnel release. 47/52 had axillary node biopsy or dissection, and 41 were told to never have blood pressure measurements in that arm.  In short, it sounds like there weren't any long term consequences.  ( Three had swelling for about a week; one person had moderate lymphedema for 2-3 months.) They recommend loose dressing and early functional training. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15368150

    On the other hand, this abstract (1999) cites a woman with a radical mastectomy with axillary clearance and carpal tunnel release did get lymphedema.  (emphasis mine) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10190630

    So I don't know the answer, but it sounds like it didn't cause long term lymphedema at least for some women.

    I don't know if it matters or not, but an acquaintence just had carpal tunnel surgery and had a much smaller incision (on her wrist) than I had 5 years ago on both hands (the incision followed one of  the creases in my palm). She said this was a new technique.  I don't know if this would make a difference or not.

    I'm not a physician or surgeon, of course, and maybe lots of consults would be needed, but just trying to help.

    (Carpal tunnel release really helped me with my hand symptoms.)  Best wishes.

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  • cc90118
    cc90118 Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2013

    Thanks Leaf. Very interesting.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited September 2013

    cc, Leaf is always on the mark, and in our experience here at bc.org, women who have had carpal tunnel surgery, even with active lymphedema, have done well. They do work with the surgeon to limit tourniquet time as much as possible, and that obviously helps. It would be well to seek out a well-trained lymphedema therapist for baseline arm measurements and advice on lymphedema risk reduction before surgery. If the surgeon is willing s/he might also then consult with the therapist on helpful measures to limit risk. Here's how to find a lymphedema therapist near you:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    And here's information on surgery on an arm with lymphedema, which might give you some ideas even if that's not actually your situation:
    StepUp-SpeakOut--surgery

    Interestingly, because pain itself can trigger lymphedema (because it draws lymph fluid to the pain site and may eventually overwhelm the compromised lymph system), it may be that addressing this problem is actually a way to reduce your long-term lymphdema risk. No guarantees either way, unfortunately.Undecided

    Wishing you peace in your decision-making,
    Binney

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited October 2013


    Update on acquaintance who had carpal tunnel surgery with horizontal incision on her wrist (parallel to a watchband): Her surgery was done by an orthopedist, and she is having pain in her thumb/shoulder areas. She had thumb/shoulder pain previous to the surgery, and was in an accident years ago. Its been about 2 months after surgery now. She can hold a pen, but its hard to do as much writing as she used to do. Her hand is weaker (as I also experienced.) She is hoping in the years ahead that they might be able to revise the surgery or something.


    I have had no side effects from my carpal tunnel surgery which was done along one of the creases in my palm (perpendicular to my watchband) except decreased hand strength. I had a hand surgeon do my surgery.


    I had another acquaintance who had a general surgeon do her carpal tunnel surgery, who used a similar approach (parallel to a watchband) and she couldn't do the fine hand manipulations (lots of handling syringes in a hospital pharmacy). This 2nd acquaintance had to quit her job and find another career which didn't require such hand manipulations.


    My advice: I don't know what things are involved, but you may want to be careful in investigating the experience your surgeon has in doing this type of surgery. Maybe the type of surgeon matters. Maybe his/her experience matters. Maybe the incision location/direction matters. Maybe your past history matters. Maybe it doesn't. I would investigate because I want as good an outcome as possible for you. At least be aware of potential down-sides.

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