Yes, it's possible for you to have carpal tunnel- it just really depends on your level of activity with hands.You aren't locked into surgery. I'd start with getting an ergonomic setup for yourself and taking frequent breaks from typing. I would also look into getting a wrist brace to sleep with at night, and begin using that for a week or two and seeing if you improve. Chances are if you take early action you won't need surgery for quite some time- if ever.
Hi so I (23f) have had a sudden onset of joint pain mostly in my hands and arms. It may have been more gradual than I noticed, but this week has been very brutal! Its like my finger joints are just VERY achey and my elbows are also in pain fairly frequently (mostly when my elbows are bent).I work on a computer all day, but am not a typist. I am usually working on excel spreadsheets doing data analysis which I guess I never thought of as typing as its more of a critical thinking thing as my main task. That being said my hands are on a keyboard for the majority of the day.Now my FIL had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome last year, and it feels like exactly what he described and I am panicking a bit bc I didnt really think that I was a candidate for having this issue so early on in my life! Is it possible that I have carpal tunnel syndrome? What else could it be?Im just scared of the financial ramifications an issue like this may have (Im broke as shit!! But I do have insurance!), but I obviously want to take care of it ASAP instead of letting it get worse. What should my course of action be/how long should I wait before getting it checked out in person?Thanks in advance for your time!ETA: not sure if this is relevant to this issue, but I am in relatively good health. I am overweight but have lost around 50 pounds since the beginning of the year and am well on my way to a healthy weight. I eat mostly cleanly and walk a lot. I used to be an avid weightlifter but have not gotten back into it after a knee injury in 2018 (big part of how I became overweight... lack of movement & depression from losing my job & other stresses due to my injury). I also was a 4 sport athlete in high school: softball, swimming, track & field (discus & shot put), and volleyball. I dont know if any of this is helpful but if it could be a contributing factor I thought I would mention it.