Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

[Angelrose]

How long after you've had the surgery did you get rid of the tingling in your fingers? It's been over two months and I'm still not back to normal. It's better, but not 100%.

 

[C.Ann]

A couple of years ago I had CT surgery on both hands. First the left - and then the right, about 6 months later. I can honestly say that my hands didn't feel "normal" again for a good ten months or more.. The tingling is okay - but you should NOT be having the pain or numbness that you had prior to surgery.

Good luck with your recovery!!

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

I have had both hands done and that same night after each surgery I had no tingling or numbness.
Have they put you in any kind of therapy yet? Did the Dr tell you that you had any thickening of the tendon sheath? Or thinning of the "carpal wall?"

I sent you a pm as well.Out of curiosity did you have a neurosurgeon, orthopedic or plastic surgeon do your surgery?

 

[Angelrose]

Thanks C. Ann. I don't have the pain or numbness that I had before the surgery. I thought the recovery would be faster. But now I'm relieved that you say it takes a while.

 

[Angelrose]

Thank you Sparly Zoe. I guess each person has a different experience. I answered your PM. I had an orthopedic man do the surgery. I never thought of going to a neurosurgeon. Good idea if I continue to have a problem.

 

[December99]

Angelrose - you need to be talking to your doctor if you are still having tingling because it should have disappeared pretty much right away. If it did not there could be something else that is causing it. Which fingers are still tingly? My right hand was gone right away - I have pulled one of my fingers and I'm getting the tingling again but it's slowly going away. I just have to be careful. In my left hand it was gone immediately also I have not had any tingling or pain since. I do have tendonitis also and I believe that is part of the existing pain in my right hand that I'm experiencing because it's totally different. If you are having problems in your pinky - then that is connected with your neck and has nothing to do with carpel tunnel (I had a very good doc the second time and he explained all the answers to the problems I was having still with my right hand after surgery). It did take me about 6 months to a year to get the total movement back in my hand and be able to put weight on it - like when I get up off the ground and I use my hands to help me up - for the longest time I couldn't use my left hand to do that and now I can. I still have some elasticity problems with my right hand but it was a VERY long incision and takes time.

 

[Angelrose]

Thanks December99. I have an appointment to see my doctor on the 28th. The tingling is still on my thumb, and first two fingers. I know what you mean about the strength in the hand. It is getting stronger and the elasticity is getting better. I can now write with no pain which was a problem before. I saw my doctor after the surgery and he was surprised that I was still having the tingling and asked me to come back this month. I will have a lot of questions for him this time.

 

[bumcat]

I had surgery for carpal tunnel about 12 yrs ago. I also had to have cysts removed from my wrist on the top part of my hands. They were pressing on some nerves causing numbness.
I had the cysts removed a few months after the carpal tunnel surgery. The cysts were pretty big (could see them on my hands) and I had double cysts on each hand.
My dr. was so excited because he had never removed a double cyst before (said they are very rare). He said he was putting it in a jar to keep so part of me is still with him, LOL!
He said no way would I have a double cyst in the other hand but I did.
I do not have 100% usage of my hands and never will because I waited too long and did lots of damage but compared to how they use to be before surgery I have no complaints, I just have to be careful. I believe he said my percentage is around 80% or so, cant remember since it's been a long time.
If I over use my hands they get real tight but no tingling.
Good luck with your recovery.

 

[Poohnatic]

If I overdo it, I experience tingling, but overall my surgery was a huge success.

My ortho did 5 of my 6 wrist surgeries. You name it, if it's wrist related, I have had surgery for it. I was very nervous about the carpal surgery, but it went great. Had physical therapy for about 3 months afterwards and I think that had a lot to do with the success.

Now, if only I hadn't broken my thumb on the other hand a year ago, I had two good hands for the first time in over 20 years, and I blew it within 6 months of the surgery.

Suzanne

 

[CathyCanada]

I had surgery on my right hand in '94 and my left in '95, by a plastic surgeon. I had PT following both, and OT after the left because I had some sensitivity around the scar area (just looks like they made my life line a little longer)

I was told that the longer you wait and worse it gets, the longer the recuperation period. My left hand was really bad by the time I finally had it done and experienced the tingling for about a year. No pain though.

Good luck, hope you are feeling much better soon!
CC

 

[Angelrose]

Thank you all for your input. CathyCanada, I think I waited too long to get something done and that's why it's taking longer. I may not have 100% ever, but I will have to ask the doctor. I do see a lot of improvement, which took a lot longer than I expected, but it is there. I can feel things with my fingers that I couldn't before and there is no more pain or waking up in the middle of the night with my hand burning with numbness.

Again thank you all for your input and advice. You are all such caring people.