carpal tunnel op in 3days time on both hands :-o

I would suggest you will need help for a t least 2 days unless your children are old enough to undertake some tasks for you. You will have 2 fat bandages and will find it difficult to use your hands whilst they are on. The shortest period is 48 hours before they come off although some surgeons like you to keep the on until the stitches come out at 10-12 days. however you will get by some how and the relief from awful pain in the night makes it all worth while.

Good luck

Regards Elaine

Hi Shaz, take a look at this forum and you'll get lots of useful information. If you've had kids....then the operation will be a breeze ! I'm a 50 year old bloke who is allergic to pain (!) and had my right hand operated on 6 months ago.

Waiting for the operation is the worst, sat in a cubicle already changed into the operating gown. You keep your lower clothes on. When it's your turn they will walk you into the operating area, it's more like a Doctors office and very low key. I had two other nurses in with me and the surgeon. He first injects the palm of your hand in a couple of places and the whole hand goes to sleep in 15-20 minutes. Then I looked away and chatted to one nurse whilst the surgeon fiddled with my hand. Occasional electric shock up my fingers but was told I should not be feeling anything, but too late for more injections due to the time lag, so surgeon continued and it was finished in no time at all (I'm talking about 7 minutes) and that includes the bandaging.

You walk out with your hand and wrist in a boxing glove size bandage, but you can still see your fingers and you are encouraged to wriggle them, think baby waves.

Take a seat for 10 minutes, then a nurse comes to check you and gives you a large spare plaster. You are told to take whole bandage off after 48 hours and if the wound dressing underneath is bloody, to replace with this new one. For the first 24 hours it is important to keep wrist raised above your heart, ideally hold it across your chest with hand near opposite shoulder and sleep with hand above body (on chest).

You may get a bit of bleeding (I didn't) and I did drive that night to collect my wife from railway station as she could not get back on same line to collect car from another station!!!!

You will have two hands done.... So will need help to get home, get any jobs done and to take bandages off !!!!! I do not know how you are going to go to the toilet with the bandages on.... you will need help !

So I did not need any painkillers (others took paracetamol) but hands are awkward due to bandages. I needed 6 weeks off work, but that was due to my type of work. After a couple of weeks you are much better and then the stitches are taken out. After a couple of months I was almost back to normal, but even 6 months later my hand is not perfect, the ends of my middle fingers are slightly numb most of the time, but no pian. I was told it may well take a year to be back to normal. But I can ride my bike now and my right hand does not immediately go numb and no pain at night.

Good luck, just think how  much better it will be soon.

I would not advise having both done at the same time. You will be completely incapacitated for a least a week, probably longer. All basic functions will be practically impossible, eating, washing, going to the toilet, etc. This means that you will be trying to use your hands when you should be taking the utmost care of them while they heal. I had my dominant hand done on Feb 13th, that was difficult enough. I couldn't imagine having the other hand done at the same time. I would have needed a full time carer!!

 

I must say, I was diagnosed with severe CTS in right hand and only moderate CTS in left. My right hand was operated on and when I went back a month later the Surgeon asked if I was ready for my left hand to be done then. I declined as that hand is no where near as bad as the right was. Maybe later! But he didn't even consider doing both together.

 

I hAD both hands done at the same time, I do not recomend it.  I had a real hard time and the surgery did not go well I am worst off now then before.  My hands tingle and are painful.   I had my husband to help me and it was still hard.  I am going to see a thiard doctor to see if someone can help me.    I will pray for you   You should only do one hand at a time, especially since you have a child.  God bless and good luck.

Thanks everyone for advice and wishin me luck👧its béen 1week today since op had both done all went ok had sedation to calm me b4 lyk im a panicker lol which helped loads i neva even felt injection in hands or anything which was good it was a bit painful first 3/4days gettin abit easier each day. Bandages were off after 48hrs n im gettin stitches out nxt tues (fingerscrossed thats if no probs cum up n all keeps going as is🙏) can anyone tell me wen they began driving again plz? Ive hoovered a little just bits n pieces but cud do with anyones info bout driving thankyou 😊xx