Can RA mimic Carpal Tunnel?
Any thoughts on this one would be very much appreciated. I have RA with the usual problems but the worst pain is in left hand and elbow. The fingers are beginning to twist and the hand is almost useless. Some time back it showed the classic symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which seemed to be confirmed by a Nerve Conduction Test. My theumy, however, thinks its the RA causing swelling of something in the tunnel which in turn presses on the nerves to the hand. The severe elbow pain he says could be ‘referred pain.’ While the RA meds are helping everywhere else the hand and elbow only respond to pain killers. Will be seeing a hand/wrist surgeon in about three weeks time but meanwhile am wondering. Ta. I am not entirely sure this is right, but I think RA can cause a type of carpal tunnel. Carpal Tunnel is when the nerves get compressed by swelling in the wrist. So I suppose if you have swelling in your wrist you could have Carpal Tunnel. That is my understanding anyway. NikiThat sounds ri
