5 days until carpal tunnel surgery :-/

Hi Betsy i dont see a consultant about my hand till Jan 10th so cannot comment on the experience of the surgery, but i can understand you being aprehensive as it seems to me quite a thing to have to go through and what is involved afterwards, ie doing things etc, there is a closed group on fb called Carpal Tunnel Surgery Recovery. there are lots of people on there who have gone through the operation im sure it will be to your advantage if you are on fb.

Dorothy x

Hi betsy,

I had my surgery may 31 under local anestetic , surgery was fine , it took around 6 weeks to be fully mobile again with my hand and Mencken now in morning it's very stiff and throughout the day bouts of stiffness too. I'm having my left hand done on 20 jan 2015 and can't wait as pain is so bad especially during the night and like you not sleeping pacing around as it's the only way it eases pain ! I would rather except the stiffness as long as this pain disappears. Physio is important after the stitches are removed speak to your surgeon . Good luck and look forward to no more numbness and burning .

Regards. Pam

The local is the worst bit and over very quickly. You will feel nothing of the operation and it takes about 10 minutes. The local can take up  to 48 hours to wear off so your hand will be numb. You will sleep!!

the results will be amazing and you will wonder why you worried. 

You will have good and bad days after, when recovery seems slow but keep writing and we will provide the support you need.

good luck

Elaine

Hi Betsy

Please relax, the operation is a short procedure, taking approx 15-20 minutes and you won't feel anything.  They suggested listening to an MP3 player or the like and that was really useful as it calmed me down.  However, please look after your hand and let it heal in its own time afterwards.  Since you are a fitness instructor, don't go picking up weights until it has healed properly.

I wondered about wearing my head phones. I'll be asleep!? I'm just having a local. I've heard from the surgeon that the turnacit is the worst part. I figure once they start the Iv they can give me some chill the f out meds. Haha. I'm just a big baby. I didn't realize ppl bruise from the procedure. I'm a huge bruiser!! I'll try to keep writing. With my left hand. 👍

You won't be asleep. You won't need earphones. You will have a nurse next to you and everyone joins in the conversation. They got me talking about holidays and someone said 'right all done'

the tourniquet is not too bad. I'do forgotten it had been used so it obviously did not trouble me too much.

no bruising as you need blood to form a bruise and the tourniquet cuts off the blood. I don't recall even the slightest bruise around the wound.

keep talking and asking.

cheers Elaine

Hi the procedure is very quick the worst part is the anestetic but that's just takes minute or so to administer a few injections. Your distracted throughout with chat etc or music and takes around 15 mins on average . Mine was longer as it was thicker than expected which us quite rare. The aftercare of your hand is more important I think, the quicker you get it moving the better the result speak to your surgeon during surgery. Good luck 

Regards Pam

The best advice I can give is to try and relax during the procedure.  Try not to tense up.  It's a simple operation - it feels a bit weird because you're going through the whole operating theatre procedure and you're awake!  The injections sting a bit but it's only momentary.  The tourniquet is nothing.  And everything is done in about 20 mins.  Just take some deep breaths, stay calm and do some relaxation techniques.  Keep telling yourself it's a quick and simple operation.  If you have a panic disorder I expect you have some techniques for keeping things under control.  Good luck!

I actually watched a carpel tunnel operation on you tube as I was interested as to what they actually did..seemed pretty straight forward..Take a look see for your self may releave some of your apprehension 

I had mine done on the 6th Dec 2014

Once the anesthetic kicks in you dont feel a thing, apart from the odd pulling sensation..The doc will tell you to move your fingers and to keep your hand up on your chest so you dont get swelling in your hand kept my bandages on for a couple of days,  

When i had the op 10 years ago i had a pot put on my wrist and had to leave it on for over a week, after the operation. Nowadays they just put a bandage over it...i think the bandage was better, even though i was itching, but i think that was an allergy itch to the soap that they used.  You keep the plaster on your wound until you have your stitches out.  I had mine out after 13 days, they had abit of difficulty getting the last stitch out as it was so tightly put in, and i got an infection with that, but i am now on a course of anti biotics and ive been bathing my hand in warm water with a but of salt in it.  The wound is clearing up nicely.Still swollen but not red anymore. I am doing my ecericises that they give you to do.  

You will be fine during the procedure , i too suffer with anxiety.  The nurses put me at ease.