BILLINGS - Carpal tunnel syndrome can be debilitating and painful, but doctors say a routine surgery can fix the problem. A Billings woman had the surgery done only weeks ago and is already back at her job waiting tables.

Three weeks ago Robyn O'Nan was at Billings Clinic, preparing for a second surgery to correct her carpal tunnel syndrome. She suffered with it for 4 years, it made it hard to drive, read the newspaper, and even sleep. But now, only 3 weeks later, she's back at work. She says the tingling and numbness she was so used to went away instantly.

Dr. Barry Smith, performed Robyn's surgery; he says it is fairly routine and only takes about 30 minuets. Robyn went home right after, but she was out of work for about 2 weeks. Although the tingling and numbness are finally gone, she's still taking it easy. "I can't carry really heavy stuff. I try not to, anything like gripping or pouring."

She had a second check up with Dr. Smith a few days ago, and he told her she's healing well. Physical therapy is helping Robyn learn to grip and carry things differently than she used to, but Dr. Smith doesn't think continuing to serve food will be a bad for her wrists. "I've heard horror stories about it recurring for some people, but as far as I know, they've admitted to going back to work to early." says Robyn.

The surgeries on each hand were 3 months apart, and Robyn says that's about how long it took to get all the strength back in her right hand. "It took probably 3 full months to feel like it was back like back to my old hand. And I will probably always feel something in it, but I don't feel like there's anything I can't do."

Robyn says she thinks other food servers are likely to suffer from carpal tunnel as well, due to the nature of their jobs. But says many may avoid getting the surgery because of cost and the time you have to take off from work.