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Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can become so severe that they can prevent you from doing something as simple as holding on to your tools. Fortunately, surgery, as shown here, can provide relief for symptoms and help you regain the normal use of your hands. Photos: Marijke Ellert
How Should You Handle Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Dealing with the symptoms, getting surgery and staying in good health
For farriers, aches and pains are just part of the trade. You’ve probably worked out ways to shake off any physical discomfort to keep going or have learned to just deal with sore muscles and joints whenever you have the time. Yet, aches and pains that you might think are a standard part of your profession can actually be something more ominous.
Placerville, Calif., farrier Marijke Ellert started to experience pain in her wrists when she was working. At first, she found no cause for concern. She just assumed that the pain was from tendonitis — until her right hand started going completely numb.
“It used to be just when I was working. And then it would be even when I was on my days off, even when I was doing stuff that wasn’t labor intensive with my hands,” says Ellert. “When I started to have those symptoms, I felt like it was more than just tendonitis.”
Farrier Takeaways
- Getting “pins and needles” in your hands or experiencing numbness or weakness in your hands or wrists are all symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms can range in intensity and build over the years.
- Taking precautions like changing your forging and shoeing techniques to minimize physical stress can do a lot to prolong your career and improve your health.
- Carpal tunnel release surgery can relieve extreme symptoms and ultimately improve your ability to perform your job well, as well as your overall quality of life.
Ellert sought help from a…
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