2 Weeks post op

Hi, sorry to hear things aren't going to we'll, so many of us in the same boat - have a look at the Facebook page carpel tunnel surgery recovery group - we've bn sharing stories and advice on there which has helped loads 

I felt exactly the same as you after the bandage came off i thought that it would be great no pain at all how wrong i was it is normal dont worry id reccomend physio and just give it time and plenty of rest.

Thanks for replies,nice to know I'm not the only one.trying to rest just getting frustrated with lack of progress.

I had the op 3 weeks ago and feel the same. In fact at times I wish I never had it done. Starting to wonder if I should go head with the other hand. Had so many people say it's a simple op ( which it was) and it's not that painful .... Hopefully it will settle down soon xxx

Sometimes the first couple of days, you're still experiencing some residual effects of the anesthesia, so you have more pain after that--for me, it was the third and fourth days I was in a lot of pain, and I couldn't move my hand much for more than a week. I agree that physical therapy is very helpful. Hang in there--the one thing I learned from reading posts on this site is that recovery takes a lot longer than I imagined, but it mostly does happen eventually.

Hi Katies, yes, recovery is far more complex than is properly explained I think.  It does take time but one thing I have been told is not to rest the hand.  To use it as much as possible even if it hurts.  The more you protect it the more it is going to hurt and the longer it is going to take to recover.  The nerves need to be desensitized.  Physio is crucial so perhaps this is something you can look into.  All the best.

Yes, very common. Ups and downs. Some days you feel the recovery is great then the pain shoots up your arm and the depression sweeps in. Here's the good news!  It gets better. Try not to use your hand too much. It has been traumatised and the nerves are all over the place trying to get themselves back to normal. If you have a lot of swelling try dunking in very hot then icy water. Leaving in each for as long as you can bear it. Just keep alternating between the 2 but they must be extremely hot the other full of ice!

Start massaging your scar, any cream will do. Lots of small circular movements with a firm finger. Reintroduce the nerve around the scar to different textures, cotton wool, rough towel, toothbrush. It 'goes through you' at first but the nerves need to relearn their role and this will speed up the process. There are exercises on the web which I found helpful and better than just using your hand for everyday activity. Remember it has been cut and needs time to recover.

i am 8 months on now and can truly say I am back to normal and it was well worth those first few weeks of pain and doubt.

good luck Elaine

katie.. are you expercing a cold feeling near you wound area.. and is it hard.. my fingers are still full feeling.. and the palm is very sore.. it has been 3 weeks today.. since the surgery.. i hope it gets better.

Nancy,

feeling slightly better but only a bit,my hand feels cold a lot of the time but all over not just near the wound area. It also feels the cold more then the other hand.my palm feels hard and tight but putting that down to swelling and the fact over the wound I still have scabs.im seriously hoping it gets better soon.

Hi Katie,

I am also exactly 2 weeks post op today. I made myself touch fingers whilst i had my bandage on, and now stitches out have full movement but its sore and grip weak, and obviously wont try lifting, writing christmas cards made it sore, (good excuse), so I would say persevere with moving, it is so important! the tingling is nerves reconnecting so dont worry i had that a bit. I wonder if you have not been moving it enough and its siezing up a bit. I am now gently doing thinngs but not going to risk trying to drive for another week. Good luck!!! Keep moving and take ibuprofen for swelling, moving will make the swelling go down I am sure.