Have you had carpal tunnel surgery?

[C.Ann]

I've had it on both hands - the incisions were very, very small - and on the inside of the wrist, right where you bend it..

Dson-in-law is having CT surgery on St. Patrick's Day and was told that the incision would be along the fatty part of his thumb (looking at the palm - about from the lower joint down towards the wrist) and significantly longer than the incisions I had..

I'm wondering why the incision is going to be so large - not to mention on his thumb..

Are there different types of CT - that would require a larger incision, in a different location?

The healing time (in regards to when he can use that hand again for lifting and such) is also going to be quite a bit longer than mine was.. He's having fits over this (he's just finishing up remodeling his uncle's bathroom and was scheduled to start remodeling his parents kitchen right after that) - not to mention April being the month when he usually moves me back up to the lake and starts to get the travel trailer, boat, and jet ski's ready for the season..

I suggested that he get a second opinion, but he wants it done "yesterday" - so as not to interfere too much with everything he has planned for April.. ("Patience" is not his strong suit - LOL..)

He's also aggravated that the surgery can't be done on a Friday - because it's going to require a total of 3 days off from work and he doesn't want to use any of his vacation days.. (He only gets 5 days a year and no sick/personal time..)

He's a great guy, but he always has a self-imposed list of "things to do" that's a mile long!!

 

[scnana]

Could it be that he's having surgery to release that tendon? Called something like DeQuervains Syndrom? My husband had both surgeries at one time a couple of years ago. His CT is a small scar in the center of his palm and the surgery on the tendon is on the side. My daughter also had the tendon surgery just recently.

 

[stm61]

is he sure they said carpal tunnel? I've had it done 8 times, 7 on one hand, and none of mine involved a thumb. Apparently I have amazing powers to regenerate that particular nerve! Anyway, I was originally misdiagnosed with something called Dequervane's (I know that's spelled wrong), which was on the side of my wrist and involved the nerve/tendon coming down the thumb. It's been about 20 years and I'm not remembering all the details now. The first of the 7 times was actually that surgery, the 2nd was to repair the damage done by that surgeon.

 

[C.Ann]

Could it be that he's having surgery to release that tendon? Called something like DeQuervains Syndrom? My husband had both surgeries at one time a couple of years ago. His CT is a small scar in the center of his palm and the surgery on the tendon is on the side. My daughter also had the tendon surgery just recently.

is he sure they said carpal tunnel? I've had it done 8 times, 7 on one hand, and none of mine involved a thumb. Apparently I have amazing powers to regenerate that particular nerve! Anyway, I was originally misdiagnosed with something called Dequervane's (I know that's spelled wrong), which was on the side of my wrist and involved the nerve/tendon coming down the thumb. It's been about 20 years and I'm not remembering all the details now. The first of the 7 times was actually that surgery, the 2nd was to repair the damage done by that surgeon.

The doctor specifically said CT - as did the person who performed the tests - but based on these posts, it sounds more like the DeQuervins Syndrome..

stm61: I'm sorry about your troubles with the surgery.. That's a shame.. Here's hoping you don't have any further issues!

 

[Tony-NJ]

I had it inb both hands over the past 2 years. My incisions are on the top of the palm of my hand - I guess it depends on the surgeon and where he wants to go in.

My recovery was 4-6 weeks so they said. I could not go back to work for a while - though my company made me go through workers comp. Otherwise I could have gone back the day of the surgery ( and I did the second time from home). I just didn't use the hand that was operated on.

Anyway I did not get all my strength back for a number of weeks - so if he's planning od doing a lot of lifting right after then the surgery will be no use and he will probably do more harm.

I could not wait for the surgery because the pain was so bad.

 

[CruiserMom]

I've had surgery on both hands; the left was just done a month ago. I did not have an incision near my thumb either time. Both hands had an inch long incision at the base of my palm.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I had both hands done 3 weeks apart about 8 years ago. The surgery was done exactly as you have described yours. My surgeon did them 3 weeks apart so I could use one hand at least. (My hand was bundled up like a softball was inside the bandages.) I was told not to lift anything heavy for 3 weeks at least. I had absolutely no pain, no meds were necessary, and the relief from my ailment was instantaneous. I am now feeling slight symptoms, but nothing remotely close to what I had.

 

[MrsToad]

I had the CT release and a "trigger finger" (but at the thumb) release done on my right hand. They were done at different times. The CT incision is only about an inch long and is hidden in one of my existing crease lines at the base of the palm. The thumb incision is also only about an inch, maybe less, and starts at the left side of the base of my thumb on the palm side of the hand.

I would also recommend a second opinion. He may not have to cancel his existing surgery appointment if he can get in quick with another doctor. This way, if the second doctor agrees with the first doctor's approach, he can keep the current surgery appointment. Either way, I wish him a speedy recovery.

 

[Mommee]

I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands. My incisions were about 2 1/2 inches long-from the center of the palm extending down just a little past the wrist. I opted for an open surgery as opposed to arthroscopic.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I was actually diagonsed with ct in both hands back in the early 90's, but the right was the worst. After having my right hand done I still had problems and would not have my left done.

 

[C.Ann]

Small update.. Turns out my Dson-in-law was so rattled over the surgery he got confused with what would happen if it was the DeQuervains instead of CT.. It is in fact CT - the incision will be at the wrist - and everything else is the same in terms of the recovery process..

He's never had surgery before - has a very, very serious phobia when it comes to needles - and is rattled beyond belief.. Poor guy..

We'll all be glad when it's over and he can settle down a bit..

Thanks for the replies..

 

[jas_mom1]

I had Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery 3 weeks ago today. I only had local anesthesia (afraid to be put to sleep...) After the first pinch of the numbing needle, I didn't feel anything.

My incision is about 1.5 inches from the base of my hand, at my wrist and extends up toward my palm. It's still healing at this point. I still have some reduce strength in my hand but I'm hoping that's just part of the healing process.

My surgeon put me in a fiberglass cast to cover the incision and keep my wrist immobilized. (I think the cast is not common.) I had it on for two weeks. He insisted that my hand had to be elevated the entire time! This was difficult...I became partially disabled for this two week period. But, I believe this helped my incision heal.

I haven't had any numbness at night as I had previous to the surgery. My other hand is still getting numb. I will wait to have that hand done. I did stay out of work for the two weeks because I teach pre-k. I knew I wouldn't be any good to the kids with just one available hand. Since I've been back to work, my hand gets sore. But I'm sure it's just the tendon healing.

I had open CTR surgery. I know that endoscopic surgery is an option that would produce smaller incisions than I had. I'm not even sure if that was available for me. I was fine with what I had done.

Let us know what he decides.

Dianne