The A§H Clan

A§H»Crash wrote:Voltage I really like your reply.

A§H»VØLTÅG£ wrote:Usually ganglion cysts resolve spontaneously and don't need treatment. As for treating it, there's really only a hand full of options; immobilize the joint and watch and wait to see if it resolves on it's own, aspirate the cyst, or surgical intervention. I'm going to assume you've gone through an aspiration procedure, as surgery is usually a last ditch effort when it doesn't resolve on it's own and the fluid returns after it has already been aspirated.

As for carpal tunnel, I'm going to assume yours is more of an advanced case (since it hurts to type and you've already consulted with a MD for surgery) and previous methods of treatment (splinting, drugs to reduce the inflammatory process such as NSAID's or corticosteroids, did not work).

Perhaps the combination of the two conditions you have has your orthopedic surgeon thinking that it is the best route to treat the problem given the severity and doing a surgery could possibly treat both in one action.

From a nurse's perspective, you should do it. First of all, you're like 15 and you are already having issues to this degree. It won't get better with age because there comes a point in your life that your bones lose strength and durability, and your joints lose dexterity and range of motion. Even with proper exercise, diet, etc, you can't stop the aging process. Plus playing video games excessively is associated with carpal tunnel. All the repetitive movements, using a mouse too much, and keeping your wrists in a flexed position can cause damage to the nerves and tendons in your hands and wrists.

You got two options from what I can see.

1.) You get the surgery done. Perhaps you may lose some functionality, but with physical therapy and a disciplined mindset to doing the exercises as instructed, that can be minimized, or eliminated altogether with time. You take a much needed break from computers and games, give your joints time to recuperate, and get in a cast for 10 weeks; if you heal exceptionally well, maybe even less. And at the end of your 10 weeks, you are in less pain, have more mobility in your joints, and you can enjoy life and game once again (in moderation).

or

2.) You don't get the treatment, and you don't wear a cast for 10 weeks. You try alternative therapies that will most likely not work (long-term wise) due to the severity of your conidtion, and you have chronic pain and the joints of a 78 year old woman for your foreseeable future.