Carpal Tunnel Surgery Question

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I don't know if this is an ok place to ask, but if you have answers I'd love to hear them.

My husband has Carpal Tunnel in his wrists. He found out today that they want to operate on them, one at a time, with the first surgery about 3 weeks before we go to Disney. He will have the stitches out by then, but will he be healed? Does anyone have experience with this? I'm thinking he should postpone it, but he thinks he will be fine. He is tough, (he went back to work a couple hours after a vacetomy,) but I don't want this to ruin our only trip in 2 years, especially since he works so hard and deserves a week off. I know if I ask him to postpone he will, but I don't know if I am overreacting.

Thoughts, anyone been through this before?

Thanks...

 

[Heluvsme]

My sister had that same surgery, and if memory serves she was mostly OK within 3 weeks, but there was no heavy lifting, and she had to go to physical therapy several times a week after the surgery to gain back her strength.

If it were me, I think I'd give it more time to heal, you'd hate to un-do what the surgeon has corrected.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

See, that's what I'm thinking. I'd hate to have something happen down there or get an infection and then be away from his doctor.
Thanks...

 

[Schmeck]

Ask his Primary Care Physician or the surgeon what they think he should do.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

The surgeon didn't think it was a problem, but I am still concerned. I just know from previous surgeries (though much more involved) things happen. After one of my c-cections I got Group B Strep and Staph in my incision. It happens, but it was awful. I just was kind of wondering if others had been through it and it was very simple and I am overreacting or what not. Unfortunatly I had to be at the dotor with our kids at the same time he had to be at this appointment so I didn't get to ask all the questions I would have liked and he did't ask too much because he is not worried. I trust him that he is comfortable with the choice but I can't help but worry either.

 

[Shelley Chiarats]

My mom did both hands at the same time. I don't remember how long she was down but my stepfather had to help her out alot at first.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I see you are in Rochester, hello neighbor.
DH works 2 jobs so he can't have them done at the same time. He is planning to only take the morning off, the doctors said this should be fine as long as he has a "driver". But then I think is he going to overdo it not taking time off. He works too hard all the time, he says, "I'm tough, I'll be fine", now I am really worried more about the whole surgery in general and not so much the timing. I know it's routine, but not on my hubby!

Thanks to everyone, I know this isn't too Disney related, but I felt there are so many kind people here who would be wiling to share their experiences and I don't know anyone in real life who have dealt with this sort of thing.

 

[TessieA]

I had carpal tunnel surgery in 2000, a few weeks before I went to WDW. Then I had the other hand done after we returned. It was fine.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Thanks for saying that, that really makes me feel better. He wants to get it over with so I think he's going to go ahead with it. He said teh doctors don't see a problem so he doesn't. I guess I will remember what you said and stop worrying...
Thanks again

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I also had this operation done on my rifgt wrist,and am right handed! MY DD's were 2 and 4 at the time. I was okay in about 2 weeks,but still not "heavy" lifting for about another 2.

 

[disneymarie]

He should be fine, did the doctors mention having a half splint on? My daughter did.

Also, does your husband complain of ring and pinkie finger tingling, falling asleep, any arm zingers going down, shoulder and trapizis spasms, elbow pain, of feeling of a knife in the upper shoulder blade area?

CT is palm area in the thumb....ir it is ring and pinkie that can be ulnar and a whole different problem. Or even higher,
Did he have a job of heavy lifting, repetativeness, fall or whiplash?

Sometimes it just isn't CT but a double or triple crush inury. Meaning multiple sites of hinges as wrist, elbow, shoudler can impinge nerves sending symptoms to the hands.
Mine is the cervical 5/6/7/8 T/1, across the shoulders behind the collar bone, down the arm to the fingers.

Hands can;t hold phone up long, driving is a problem, blow drying hair, wake up with them asleep all the time.

Have him pack the Advil liquid gels....I would even think of a sling so no one hits the arm area, he does not forget and grab a shutting door, or hit it the wrong way.
Di

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

He should be fine, did the doctors mention having a half splint on? My daughter did.

Also, does your husband complain of ring and pinkie finger tingling, falling asleep, any arm zingers going down, shoulder and trapizis spasms, elbow pain, of feeling of a knife in the upper shoulder blade area?

CT is palm area in the thumb....ir it is ring and pinkie that can be ulnar and a whole different problem. Or even higher,
Did he have a job of heavy lifting, repetativeness, fall or whiplash?

Sometimes it just isn't CT but a double or triple crush inury. Meaning multiple sites of hinges as wrist, elbow, shoudler can impinge nerves sending symptoms to the hands.
Mine is the cervical 5/6/7/8 T/1, across the shoulders behind the collar bone, down the arm to the fingers.

Hands can;t hold phone up long, driving is a problem, blow drying hair, wake up with them asleep all the time.

Have him pack the Advil liquid gels....I would even think of a sling so no one hits the arm area, he does not forget and grab a shutting door, or hit it the wrong way.
Di

Yes, I believe he will still have a splint on then (though the stitches will be out.) He has been wearing wrist splints (if that is what they are considered) for some time. He gets complete numbness often and tingling as well. He works on computers, lots of typing, and works a side computer job as well I guess that is where they believe he developed it. He is actually happy to have the surgery before we drive down and they tell him it won't effect his driving. I just hope this is true. If we were to reschedule we'd have to wait a year as this is the only time of year he can take enough time off from work to go. Thanks for your input.