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Carpal tunnel surgery on Friday

Posted , 5 users are following.

karen65037
karen65037

I am having my right (dominant) hand operated on this Friday at Ely Hospital. I'm getting a little nervous and, as I will only have my teenage son with me when I get home, I was wondering if anyone had any tips to make life a little easier in the early days post op. Also, could anyone tell me about the bandaging and how long I'm likely to have that on? Many thanks in advance.

0 likes, 16 replies

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  • elaine02726
    elaine02726 karen65037

    Posted

    Hi Karen

    when you come home you will be wearing a very fat bandage. This will come off at 2 days(my experience) or up to 2 weeks, hearsay from others on this blog.

    my hand was numb for 48hours from the local anaesthetic so pretty useless for holding anything but my fingers were out of the bandage and I started using them as soon as they woke up. I had no pain, maybe an advantage of my system being slow to get rid of the local anaesthetic . Once the bandage was off I started using my hand as much as poss. Bearing in mind you need to listen to your body and take it slowly. 

    Keep contact and I will give you more advise as time goes on. I am also having an op. on Friday but my foot this time so will be fairly immobile and needing some 'company'

    good luck 

    Regards Elaine 

    • karen65037
      karen65037 elaine02726

      Posted

      Thank you Elaine. Good luck with your operation. I hope it goes well for you too.
  • dorothy_49
    dorothy_49 karen65037

    Posted

    Hi karen not sure if ur fb but there is a website group called carpel tunnel surgery recovery. .its wort a look plenty of great advice and help

    Dorothy

    • dorothy_49
      dorothy_49 karen65037

      Posted

      I was at consultant yesterday got a second opinion ive got cts..first consultant told me to change my job..so im now waiting for a date. .it is quite worrying the things u cannot do..but I told karen ive joined a fb group and its been interestin reading ppls experiences

      Dorothy

  • maida13496
    maida13496 karen65037

    Posted

    Hi Karen, i had surgery 2 weeks ago,  in Blackpool, being awake is a little surreal, my consultant informed me that he would talk me through the whole procedure, which horrified me and told him that i would rather he didn't, so he didnt, but i was allocated a lovely nurse who talked to me and held me in a conversation the whole time until i was all stitched up.They put a cotton wool pad and bandage on my hand and i walked into recovery with the nurse. I was given a list of things to do and not to do, i followed that list, eleviate your hand/arm [ i did this religiously, more than was told] i wore leggings [ easy to pull up and down, for the loo and dressing etc] - it was awkard doing various things, but you just adapt, use a spoon instead of a fork, get your son to cut food up smaller etc - i might be lucky but i have had hardly any bruising, or pain - my stitches were removed today and uptil now i am happy with my progress - so - good luck [ but you won't need it ] x
    • karen65037
      karen65037 maida13496

      Posted

      Thank you. You have put my mind at rest. My main worry has been getting dressed etc as I'm sure my son won't really want to help with that. But I'm sure you're right and I will be able to adapt. Pleased to hear it has all gone well for you.
  • maida13496
    maida13496 karen65037

    Posted

    p.s - sorry i forgot to say i had my bandage[and padding] on 4 days, then i was allowed to remove it all. They also gave me some Adhesive surgical dressings which were far too big, so my hubby went to the chemist for me and got some smaller, better sized ones, They cost 19pence each. As well as wearing leggings i also wore my pyjamas alot. Glad i have given you peace of mind -before i had my stitches taken out  i put my bandage back on sometimes just to remind myself not to use it [makes it sound like im simple but its just the way i think]!, 
  • Guest
    Guest karen65037

    Posted

    Hello Karen! I hope it went well!
    • karen65037
      karen65037 Guest

      Posted

      Hello Ken! It all went really well thank you - pretty much exactly as Maida said it would. I am already using my hand a bit and have very good movement in my fingers. I have to keep my bandage on for another week (10 days in total), but I'm quite pleased about that as my palm and wrist feel quite tender.....and no pins and needles!!
    • elaine02726
      elaine02726 karen65037

      Posted

      Great news.

      when your stitches are out you can start massaging the scar. Any cream or oil will do. Then you need to reeducate the nerve endings in your skin. They will feel a bit strange, the only way to describe it is 'it goes through you', when anything touches it. Try touching it with lots of different textures, cotton wool, toothbrush, rough towel. These will quickly teach the nerves their role. Apparently they forget it when they are cut! This is what the Physio told me and it certainly worked. I will be doing it to the wound on my foot when the stitches come out.

      my operation also went smoothly but the pain afterwards was horrendous. However I am now feeling good and getting around the house without my crutch. My big bandage comes off on day 10 but apparently will go back on for another week , then they will trim the stitch ends which are supposedly absorbable. 

      Hope your recovery continues in the same way

      regards Elaine

    • karen65037
      karen65037 elaine02726

      Posted

      Thanks Elaine. My stitches are also dissolvable and will definitely use your suggestions when the bandage is off. I'm sorry to hear you had to suffer such pain, but pleased to hear that you are on the mend. How long do you expect it to be before you are up and about normally?

      Karen

    • elaine02726
      elaine02726 karen65037

      Posted

      The consultant wanted me to be at home for 6 weeks before going off on holiday( which I do quite a lot) ! Whilst the big bandage is on I will have to wear the surgical shoe which looks lie an old ladies slipper. I also have a crutch which I have abandoned in the house but think I will use outside. I am going to the theatre on Saturday so will take the crutch. I think that might be my first outing, I am very tired all the time so am listening to my body and taking it easy.

      After my CTR I kept the bandage and put it back on for a flight to the Dubai, I was 9 days post op. and had had my stitches out the day before so felt a bit vulnerable. It did not get me an upgrade!

      so glad your pins and needles have gone that's what made it all worth while.

      all the best

      Elaine

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