RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[saxy_jag]

Is there a difference between the two? I have intermittent pins and needle in my right thumb, index and middle finger and lower forearm. The locum I saw on Thursday said it was probably RSI, which I can well understand, since I spend a large part of my working day at a computer. I'm on anti-inflammatories.

However, I've read that the numbness (plus my age) is typical of CTS.

Is there a difference between the two or are they one and the same?

I should also add that it's not painful - just annoying.

[weeal]

I think RSI can LEAD to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, its more severe if RSI isnt sorted quickly

[Sqad]

The two conditions are completely different.

Your symptoms are suggestive of RSI.

Google the 2 conditions and you will see the difference.

[tamborine]

sqad ..... you're green - what happened?

[Sqad]

tambo...On friday night, there was a fight between Paraffin and a host of others, coming down to Paraffin admitting that he was abused as a child. ........Oh! yes it was about George Galloway.....the post got long and nasty and Paraffin said he was leaving AB. However, the ED pulled the thread. Next day (Saturday)...yesterday I started a thread saying please come back, theses things happen and would you believe it the rogue posters started slanging all over again and I was banned........LOL

[Sqad]

tambo...On friday night, there was a fight between Paraffin and a host of others, coming down to Paraffin admitting that he was abused as a child. ........Oh! yes it was about George Gallaway.....the post got long and nasty and Paraffin said he was leaving AB. However, the ED pulled the thread.

Next day (Saturday)...yesterday I started a thread saying please come back, theses things happen and would you believe it the rogue posters started slanging all over again and I was banned........LOL

[Sqad]

Ooops!....sorry

[saxy_jag]

Thanks Weeal. I've researched the two and I can see the link now.

Squad, all the articles I read pointed to CTS matching my symptoms more closely - the parasthesia in the fingers, thumb and wrist. As I said, I'm not in any pain with it at the moment and haven't ever been, really. It seems pain is big factor in RSI.

I've started to wear a light wrist splint when I'm working and have moved my mouse over to the left side of my PC. I'll see how it goes for a week or two and go back to the doctor if it doesn't improve.

I'm going to click that thing about not needing further responses so, Sqad and Tambo, thanks for looking in, but if your discussion is going to go any deeper, can you have it somewhere else, please. I don't want a deleted thread on my record.

Cheers.

[Sqad]

saxy...no ...all your symptoms suggest RSI.

Pain IS important...no pain, then the diagnosis of CTS is unlikely.

[saxy_jag]

CTS is an RSI condition:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Repetitive-strain -injury/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/What -is-it.aspx

CTS causes pain, numbness and a burning or tingling sensation in the hand and fingers. It doesn't have to cause pain.

Also, see here.

I have lots of tingling and numbness, hardly any pain ... yet. CTS, I reckon.

As Weeal suggests, all evidence tells me the conditions are related and not 'completely different' as you suggest. Unless all the websites I've found are wrong.

[saxy_jag]

CTS is an RSI condition:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Repetitive-strain -injury/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/What -is-it.aspx

CTS causes pain, numbness and a burning or tingling sensation in the hand and fingers. It doesn't have to cause pain.

Also, see here and here.

I have lots of tingling and numbness, hardly any pain ... yet. CTS, I reckon.

As Weeal suggests, all evidence tells me the conditions are related and not 'completely different' as you suggest. Unless all the websites I've found are wrong.

[saxy_jag]

Sorry, couldn't get that third link to work, but it's here.

[Sqad]

saxy..

"The international debate regarding the relationship between CTS and repetitive motion in work is ongoing."

RSI is a generalised term covering many conditions

I stand by what I have said..CTS and RSI are different.

Your condition is not CTS in my opinion.

[saxy_jag]

I believe you are wrong. Nuff said.

[Androcles]

Why argue Saxy_jag? You asked a question and got an answer from Sqad. Whether he is right or wrong doesn't matter in that sense, just accept that that is his opinion. It seems daft to ask a question and then tell people who try to help you that they are wrong. Just say thanks and get on......... Otherwise you might just as well say "here is my problem and here are the correct answers I'll accept......"

[saxy_jag]

I did what Sqad suggested (ie Google) and found - on several sites - the complete opposite of what he/she said, and exactly what Weeal said. I've since seen a physio who's confirmed that.

What Sqad told me wasn't given as an opinion - it was given as (incorrect and unreferenced) fact. Thank god it's only CTS and not angina or something. He/She'd have probably had me on Rennies for that.

Put it this way, after reading some if the man's/woman's 'advice' in other threads, I know whose I won't be taking in the future.

Nuff said.