The Dreaded “C” Word – Myths and Truths About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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How I Reclaimed My Hands, My Career, and My Confidence

For court reporters, the words carpal tunnel can stop a heartbeat. It’s the Big “C” in our world — the diagnosis whispered with dread in break rooms, the career-ending fear we never want to face. We spend our lives relying on our hands. The idea of losing that ability is almost unthinkable.

But here’s what no one tells you: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) isn’t a death sentence for your career. It’s manageable, treatable, and — with the right care — you can come back stronger than ever. I’m living proof.

I was an official court reporter when it hit me. My hands had always been my superpower — they kept up with judges, attorneys, and witnesses, all without complaint. Then, one day, I felt a strange tingling in my fingertips. Within weeks, it was numbness, pain, and a deep ache that made even holding a pen feel impossible. I feared the worst: that my career was over.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome happens when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed at the wrist. This nerve passes through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel, alongside tendons that flex your fingers. When swelling or inflammation narrows that tunnel, the nerve gets squeezed — and that’s when the pain, tingling, and numbness begin.

Symptoms often start gradually. You might wake up with numb fingers or feel your hand “fall asleep” during a long transcript. Some describe an electric-shock sensation radiating from the wrist up the arm. Over time, grip strength can weaken, and fine motor skills — like buttoning a shirt or typing — can suffer.

Who Gets It — and Why

One of the biggest myths about CTS is that it’s caused purely by repetitive motion. My doctor set me straight on that. He said,

“It’s not the steno machine that’s the problem — it’s the QWERTY keyboard.”

That floored me. Like most reporters, I assumed years of steno writing caused it. But the truth is more nuanced. The steno machine is actually ergonomically superior to traditional typing because it allows for neutral wrist positioning and distributes pressure more evenly across the hands.

The real culprits? Inflammation, anatomy, and systemic factors.

People with narrow wrist canals are naturally more prone to CTS. Add in inflammation — from repetitive stress, autoimmune responses, hormonal changes, or even diet — and the risk multiplies. For some, the onset can be sudden.

That’s what happened to me. I had what my doctor called an “acute inflammatory event.” Practically overnight, my wrists swelled and the pain became unbearable. Inflammation compressed the nerve so rapidly that it felt like a light switch had flipped.

Hormonal changes also play a major role. Pregnancy, for instance, can cause temporary CTS due to fluid retention. Many women experience wrist numbness in their third trimester that completely resolves after childbirth.

So yes, CTS is about mechanics — but it’s also deeply tied to biology and inflammation.

My Experience: The Long Road to Surgery

Once I reported my symptoms, I expected quick action. Instead, I entered the bureaucratic labyrinth of workers’ compensation. The adjusters denied my claim repeatedly. Before approval, I had to endure endless tests — nerve conduction studies, EMGs (electromyography), independent medical evaluations (IMEs) — each one confirming what I already knew: my nerves were compressed.

My dad, ever the problem-solver, met an insurance adjuster at a car wash who told him she’d gone around the system — paid for her surgery privately and later had it reimbursed. I wish I’d done the same.

Because by the time I finally got surgery — fourteen months later — irreversible nerve damage had already set in.

The Surgery: Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release

When it was finally approved, I chose the endoscopic carpal tunnel release, a modern, minimally invasive alternative to the traditional open surgery. Instead of a long incision across the palm, the surgeon makes a small cut — barely a centimeter — and inserts a tiny camera (endoscope) to see inside the tunnel. Using delicate instruments, they cut the transverse carpal ligament, relieving pressure on the median nerve.

The advantage? Less trauma, less scarring, and a dramatically faster recovery.

When I woke up from surgery, I was stunned. The pain, numbness, and tingling were gone. Completely gone. The only thing I felt was mild soreness from the incision — and immense relief.

My doctor recommended doing one hand at a time to ensure I could function during recovery. It was inconvenient, but wise. I’ve known others who had both wrists done simultaneously, but you really need a strong support system at home for that.

Within two weeks, I was typing again. I had full range of motion, minimal discomfort, and no visible scars. Compared to the 6–8 weeks typical for open surgery, it was miraculous.

What I Learned: Don’t Wait

Here’s the hardest part to admit: waiting so long caused permanent damage. My EMG results showed 7–10% permanent disability in both hands due to nerve atrophy from prolonged compression.

If you suspect carpal tunnel syndrome, don’t wait. Early intervention — even just rest, splinting, or corticosteroid injections — can prevent irreversible damage. Once the nerve starts dying, it can’t regenerate.

The message I share with every reporter now is simple:

“You can recover from carpal tunnel. But you can’t recover lost time.”

The Inflammation Connection

Because inflammation is such a key driver, lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in prevention and recovery. My surgeon gave me practical, science-backed tips that anyone in our profession can use:

  • Stay hydrated. Dehydration thickens synovial fluid around tendons, increasing friction.
  • Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet. Focus on leafy greens, omega-3s (salmon, walnuts), turmeric, and berries. Avoid processed sugar, fried foods, and refined carbs.
  • Stretch and rest. Every 30 minutes, roll your wrists, shake out your hands, and rest your fingers flat.
  • Ergonomic setup. Keep wrists neutral, elbows at 90°, and forearms parallel to the floor. Consider a split keyboard or ergonomic steno machine setup.
  • Nighttime positioning. Avoid curling your wrists under your pillow. A simple wrist brace can help keep them straight during sleep.
  • Address inflammation early. If you notice swelling, stiffness, or tingling, treat it as inflammation — not just overuse.

These small adjustments add up. They protect the microstructures in your wrists and reduce strain on the median nerve over time.

Breaking the Stigma

What surprised me most during recovery was how much fear surrounds this topic. So many reporters stay silent about pain because they’re afraid of being seen as “damaged goods.” That silence keeps people suffering longer than they should.

We need to break that stigma. Talking openly about carpal tunnel — sharing what works, what doesn’t, and which doctors or techniques truly help — empowers others to seek help sooner.

And let’s dispel the biggest myth once and for all: carpal tunnel syndrome is not career-ending.

Thriving After CTS

Today, I’m back on my writer, reporting long days and loving it. My wrists are strong, flexible, and pain-free. I’m more conscious of my posture, my diet, and my limits — but that’s a small price for the gift of longevity.

If you’re struggling right now, take heart. Modern medicine, awareness, and early action have transformed what used to be a career killer into something completely survivable.

Don’t let fear paralyze you. Get evaluated. Ask about endoscopic surgery. Take inflammation seriously. And above all — don’t wait.

Because with the right care and mindset, the Big “C” word doesn’t have to mean career-ending. It can mean comeback.

StenoImperium
Court Reporting. Unfiltered. Unafraid.

Disclaimer

This article reflects my perspective and analysis as a court reporter and eyewitness. It is not legal advice, nor is it intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney.

This article includes analysis and commentary based on observed events, public records, and legal statutes.

The content of this post is intended for informational and discussion purposes only. All opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are based on publicly available information, industry standards, and good-faith concerns about nonprofit governance and professional ethics. No part of this article is intended to defame, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or organization. Readers are encouraged to verify facts independently and to engage constructively in dialogue about leadership, transparency, and accountability in the court reporting profession.

  • The content on this blog represents the personal opinions, observations, and commentary of the author. It is intended for editorial and journalistic purposes and is protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
  • Nothing here constitutes legal advice. Readers are encouraged to review the facts and form independent conclusions.

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Published by stenoimperium

We exist to facilitate the fortifying of the Stenography profession and ensure its survival for the next hundred years! As court reporters, we've handed the relationship role with our customers, or attorneys, over to the agencies and their sales reps.  This has done a lot of damage to our industry.  It has taken away our ability to have those relationships, the ability to be humanized and valued.  We've become a replaceable commodity. Merely saying we are the “Gold Standard” tells them that we’re the best, but there are alternatives.  Who we are though, is much, much more powerful than that!  We are the Responsible Charge.  “Responsible Charge” means responsibility for the direction, control, supervision, and possession of stenographic & transcription work, as the case may be, to assure that the work product has been critically examined and evaluated for compliance with appropriate professional standards by a licensee in the profession, and by sealing and signing the documents, the professional stenographer accepts responsibility for the stenographic or transcription work, respectively, represented by the documents and that applicable stenographic and professional standards have been met.  This designation exists in other professions, such as engineering, land surveying, public water works, landscape architects, land surveyors, fire preventionists, geologists, architects, and more.  In the case of professional engineers, the engineering association adopted a Responsible Charge position statement that says, “A professional engineer is only considered to be in responsible charge of an engineering work if the professional engineer makes independent professional decisions regarding the engineering work without requiring instruction or approval from another authority and maintains control over those decisions by the professional engineer’s physical presence at the location where the engineering work is performed or by electronic communication with the individual executing the engineering work.” If we were to adopt a Responsible Charge position statement for our industry, we could start with a draft that looks something like this: "A professional court reporter, or stenographer, is only considered to be in responsible charge of court reporting work if the professional court reporter makes independent professional decisions regarding the court reporting work without requiring instruction or approval from another authority and maintains control over those decisions by the professional court reporter’s physical presence at the location where the court reporting work is performed or by electronic communication with the individual executing the court reporting work.” Shared purpose The cornerstone of a strategic narrative is a shared purpose. This shared purpose is the outcome that you and your customer are working toward together. It’s more than a value proposition of what you deliver to them. Or a mission of what you do for the world. It’s the journey that you are on with them. By having a shared purpose, the relationship shifts from consumer to co-creator. In court reporting, our mission is “to bring justice to every litigant in the U.S.”  That purpose is shared by all involved in the litigation process – judges, attorneys, everyone.  Who we are is the Responsible Charge.  How we do that is by Protecting the Record.

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