Advice re wrist splint use during the day

There is no absolute contraindication to splinting during the daytime but most people just find them too inconvenient. Experiment and see what works for you. Has your GP managed to provide splints for you or have you had to find your own? JB

Hi, no but then I didn't ask for any either! After reading your website I thought I would give it a try. I bought one from the pharmacy at Tesco (Thermoskin carpal tunnel brace) for £15.99 which seems very good, they have five different sizes so I'm happy that it's the right fit. It hasn't stopped the tingling but I assume you need to use it for a period of time before noticing any difference.

The majority of people with CTS find that it wakes them at 3:00am most mornings with tingling, numb fingers and in such cases wearing a splint at night usually provides immediate relieft from the constant waking up in the middle of the night. However, you are right that, for it to have an impact on other symptoms you may have to persevere for a few weeks. If it is not having any discernible effect after four weeks I would generally say it is probably not going to work. JB

I've had the night-time tingling and numbness for about a year (I put it down to poor circulation and tried to ignore it) but it was when it started coming on during the day and flaring up in particular when using my right hand to type, brush my hair, etc that I went to my GP who suspected CTS.
I'll use the splint as much as possible between now and my tests on 1st Nov so at least I can say whether it has made a difference by then. It didn't make any difference last night but I will persevere.
Thank you for your prompt responses.

It's a pleasure - the more we can analyse the symptoms before you get to me the better chance we have of working out the right answer on the day - see you then. JB

Hello Dr Bland, the pain in my right hand has been a lot more intense this week despite wearing a splint all night and most of the day time (which takes the edge off the pain but as soon as I take it off it's back to full intensity).
The numbness in the tips of my fingers is constant now too. I have taken another severity score which says 3 for my right hand.
Please can I ask how long after my appointment for tests on 1 November I would need to wait for an injection, or even if i could be injected on the day? If an injection is what is recommended of course.
My job involves a lot of typing and writing and it is very painful to do this with my current symptoms but also unavoidable I'm afraid so it would be good to get an idea of timescales. Thank you, Natalie.

We can usually inject them on the day in the Thursday morning clinic if that seems appropriate. It's a good idea if you get someone else to drive you to the clinic if coming by car. Very occasionally there is pain after injection which might stop you driving home again. We haven't had one like that so far on a Thursday morning in a year but it would be slightly embarassing to be stranded in the hospital's fee-paying car-park unable to drive home again for the rest of the day. If there was a gap in this Thursday's clinic for testing I would bring you forwards by a week with a story like that but it is fully booked at present I am afraid and I hesitate to overbook it because it is already frantically busy and it's not really fair on all the patients if I try to rush too much with everyone. JB

Thank you, that is reassuring. I can hang on until 1 November and good to know that you could inject then if appropriate. It gives me some hope! I have a lift arranged so won't have to drive myself. Thank you for doing this forum, it's so helpful.