Have I or have I not got carpel tunnel?

Hello Dr Bland,

I'm 56 years of age and have been Type 1 diabetic for 26 years. I'm reasonably fit (ie I can cycle a 20km round trip to work each day without much problem) and have been a vegetarian for 32 years.

Around 18 months ago, the index fingers on both my hands began to start feeling stiff. Concerned, I had an ultrasound done on both hands but very little was revealed, the overall conclusion was something like 'minor wear and tear, due to age' - and I was given a cortisone injection which had no effect whatsoever on the pain or stiffness.

I asked the doctor whether he thought I had carpel tunnel but he was unsure.

Over the past 18 months the stiffness and pain has spread to the middle finger on each hand. My thumbs, ring fingers and little fingers are fine.

I've had blood tests for uric acid build-up and rheumatoid arthritis but these have come back normal.

I've played guitar and bass for more than 35 years and have spent the past 2o years working as a journalist - so my fingers have had a lot of keyboard use - so could it be a form of RSI?

I've never had numbness or pins and needle in either hands and I'm never woken because of pain.

Today, I've been painting walls and doing some minor gardening, but the pain and stiffness has 'peaked' to the point where I had to stop. When this happens I also get a burning sensation in both wrists.

When I try and straighten my fingers I can't, they're too stiff - almost like they're made of solid bone and inflexible - and very painful.

I've tried stretching my wrist flexors and forearms and holding them in this position for around a minute. After doing this three or four times I get some relief from the pain and the stiffness reduces - I can actually bend the index and middle fingers on both hands.

I understand it's impossible to diagnose this over the internet, but do you think I have a strong case for carpel tunnel?

Thanks in advance, Peter