Carpal tunnel

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sorcerertd

sorcerertd

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So... I had carpal tunnel release surgery yesterday. The trigger thumb is what was really bothering me, though. They took care of that while they were in there, too. Unfortunately, there's also some arthritis in the thumb that this is not going to help with.

Typing seems to be going well enough today, but I don't think I'll be in the shop for a few weeks. I might need to rethink how I grip the chisels. Anybody have some tips?
 
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I haven't had carpal tunnel but I did have a sever trigger finger. The doc said, before looking at it, that most TFs just need a couple of shots. Then he looked at mine an said, "Well there is no doubt you need surgery". It took a few weeks before I was holding chisels with that right hand index finger with the right grip. The swelling didn't go down for 3 or 4 weeks.
 
Todd take it easy and listen to the docs and therapist. Thumb arthroplasty for me. Wild surgery bone removal with an arm tendon replacing the bone. Best thing ever! Three trigger finger surgery on the same hand.
 
I worked in IT and keyboarded constantly. Got carpal tunnel and surgery. Got a letter from my doctor saying I needed an ergonomic keyboard at work. Godsend! No further problems.
 
Maybe I'll wrap something around a chisel handle and see if I can find something that gives me a better grip with less effort. Not until it's healed, of course. I don't want to mess it up any more. It's frustrating when I've always had such a strong grip. Last year, my chiropractor said I was showing off when I hit 128 lbs on his scale when he did a recheck on my strength and range of motion. Pro tip, if you want to build up your forearm strength, decorate some cakes, lots of them. Piping mashed potatoes through a pastry bag is a workout, too.

What I really want to do is get this bandaging off. They told me to leave it for 4 days and to keep it dry. Then waterproof bandages for at least the next 10 days after that. They should be less bothersome than this stuff they have me wrapped up with now.
 
I have had two separate surgeries for trigger finger involving the left hand and one involving the right hand.
I found help holding my chisels comfortably by wrapping them with Coflex, or Co-Flex, tape. It enlarged the diameter of the handles and gave a cushioned yet secure grip surface. Once the hand was rehabilitated completely, the tape was easily removed from the handles.
 
JBarry said:
I have had two separate surgeries for trigger finger involving the left hand and one involving the right hand.
I found help holding my chisels comfortably by wrapping them with Coflex, or Co-Flex, tape. It enlarged the diameter of the handles and gave a cushioned yet secure grip surface. Once the hand was rehabilitated completely, the tape was easily removed from the handles.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that's a great idea! I have some of that around already. I'll wrap some handles when the hand is ready again.
 
How do you currently hold your tools, Todd?

I was just re-watching a video from Stuart Batty on his 40/40 grind turning. I watched it about four years ago or so, and learned from it then. A discussion on the AAW forums brought it up again, and I rewatched it. Batty has some really good tips on how best to handle tools, especially how to use the hand that holds the front (gouge end) of the tool, and what to and not to do. I learned even more today, than the first time I watched it.


I am not quite sure how much this applies to small turnings, like pens...but, I think there is something to be learned in what he says about tool control, hands touching the tool rest (TOOL rest, not hand rest!), and the quality of the cut.
 
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