Carpal tunnel release surgery????

[DaddyDon]

Went to ortho Doc yesterday and suggested i have the surgeryon my hand,i just had shoulder surgery in jan for inpingement,Anyone have this surgery and what to expect? Thanks in advance.

 

[CathyCanada]

Hi Don,
I had the release surgery done by a plastic surgeon on both wrists (he made my life lines longer ), but NOT at the same time.

What to expect is really a matter of how severe your case is now. I waited an extra year for my left wrist and it didn't heal as well as the right. I had to go for PT and OT as well for that one. Do you have any specific questions that I might help with?

Good luck!!
Cathy

 

[C.Ann]

I had the surgery done on both hands - about 5 months apart..

It's usually done on an out-patient basis and can be performed with a local anesthetic.. I was in and out in about an hour or so.. It's sore for awhile - but not unbearably so.. Depending upon your type of work you could be back in a matter of a few weeks - or much longer (6 to 8 weeks) if your doctor feels that your particular line of work will impede the proper healing process..

Expect some weakness in the hand for up to a year afterwords.. It would help if after you are healed you could do some strengthening exercises..

Don't delay the surgery.. I did and I ended up with permanent damage to both hands..

 

[LarryE]

my mom had it on both of her hands and it hasn't helped her a bit, shes in just as much pain at times if not more after the surgery.

shes been in PT since the operation and still hasn't had any improvement

 

[DaddyDon]

Well my surgery date has been set to next thursday,Was there allott of pain? after the surgery? I have little tolerence for pain as my wife call me a big baby ,Dont like needles dont like pills,kinda limits my options.And thanks for the replys!!!!

 

[Talking Hands]

I would make sure the person who does it specializes in hand and wrist surgery. One of the best is Dr Ann Elizabeth Ouilette in Miami, Fl. People come form all over to have her do surgery.

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

I had my left one done this past april and they had given me this big piece of sponge that looked like a triangle of swiss cheese to keep my hand in to help keep it up while I slept and it worked! I also had been given some pain pills too, but by the next morning it was fine. (I wish I had had that swiss cheese thing when I had my other hand done!)

My left one was worse than my right to have done because of how bad it was, but after some OT I have full use and feeling back!

 

[Poohnatic]

I have had several surgeries on my hands, with a Carpal Tunnel release a year and a half ago. I had about 2 months of therapy afterwards, and it turned out great. The left wrist was anticipated to have surgery six months later, but my surgeon did such a good job that I didn't need it.

I agree with finding a hand and wrist specialist. My doc has done four of my five surgeries for various wrist problems. Each one has done exactly what was expected. Unfortunately, I had to go and break a wrist about 12 years ago and the damage has led to other problems.

Another thing, there's a support called a comfort cool that works great post op. It's a neoprene glove that supports the wrist and thumb (I think the exact one is called a CMC support). Unlike a splint, it allows movement, but restricts enough thumb movement that you don't compress the carpal nerve. I use mine on bad weather days, as I now have arthritis is my right wrist and left thumb.

Suzanne

 

[DaddyDon]

Thank each and everyone of you for your replys! I will have the surgery around 10.00am tommorrow morning,I pray all goes well.Will let you know in a follow up.