carpal tunnel surgery post op

Hi All, 

I had open ctrs on December 12th 2014 on my dominant hand (right) with the intention of doing the left 6 weeks after. I was told that i would experience immediate relief and this was true until the anaesthetic wore off!!. Whilst the shhooting pain down my arm ceased my wrist and fingers experienced a whole lot of other debilitating symptoms ranging from the hand feeling three times the normal size to a sensation of permanent blisters on the tips of my fingers. The area around the cut was sore, lumpy, painful and hard. I was told to use the hand as much as I  could and massage the scar area which I did. After consult with the senior orthopedic surgeon re my symptoms we decided that if there were no improvements by the 22nd of January 2015 he would re-explore the area. When that time came around there was about a 10% improvement so I was advised to give it time and I did the left hand instead. Folks the experience was chalk and cheese. Everything that I was promised happened with the left hand....immediate relief, the cut is just an extension of the lifeline on my hand the hand is just perfect!! The reality is that one surgeon was experienced and knew what he was doing and the first chap was a rookie! While my right hand continues to improve slowly ( it feels only slightly swollen , the feeling of blisters has lessened), since my left hand is so perfect I know the right hand is still very bad. I do not know if there is continued improvement or if I am just getting used to using it as it is. One thing I haven't seen mentioned which I am curious about is how you all react to paper. Yep paper! My job entails a lot of paperwork and shuffling through papers, rummaging in my bag and organising my wallet is extremely uncomfortable and thats when I feel like my fingertips of the right hand is full of blisters!... The latest news is that I have a consult in the middle of May and based on my symptoms the surgeon who worked on my left hand will either re explore it or suggest I give it more time...Any advice?? BTW so glad for this forum to share ..thx

I had my carpal tunnel surgery 38 months ago on my left hand which was completed while I was having cervial spine surgery.  Post surgery removal of stitches by the neurosurgeon that performed the proceedure sent me on my merry way.   Five weeks later on a visit to an orthopedic surgeon for a shoulder problem, I was advised that immediate hand therapy was required or the permanent use of my hand would be limited to a claw and the therapy would have to be performed by a CHT, certified hand therapist.  My hand would not close any more then a claw and I could not pick up a grapefruit with it.  After 5 months of therapy, i was able to use my hand pretty much normal except that the original pain was just as bad as when the surgery was done and I was still taking Vicoden for pain but tried to limit the use of it as I new it was addicting.  I endured the pain durng the day but had to take pain medication at night to be able to get to sleep.  Nine months after the surgery, I returned to the neuorsurgeon to see if he could suggest something to eliminate the pain and use of pain meds.  His answer after a look at the hand was "I have no idea what the problem is and sometimes these things take a much as a year to heal".  His suggestion was to give me milder pain med, Tramadol, and to wait another three months.  After 16 months, I visited a hand specialist surgeon as the hand was not improving.  He offered little help but suggested that I get hand therapy to reduce the sensitivity.  I did that for 3 more months and it helped a little, but the pain was still there.  Now after 38 months, I still have pain in my hand which is extremely mild in the morning, worstening during the day, and some nights very bad.  I have tried to get away from using Tramadol at all, but some nights I still have to use it in order to get to sleep as the pain is quite intense.  I am not sure if the hand will ever be pain free, however, at this point I do not know what to do about it.  Sorry I could not be more positive, but this is my story.

 I am in constant pain and scar area is solid and tender feels lumpy.  I started physio exercises 2 weeks ago and hadnt really done much before that except wiggle fingers as I had not been given any advice at all post op.  2 weeks ago I couldnt even make a fist or reach my thumb to each finger, now I can make a fist and touch all finders and am using it normally but with alot of pain, more so at night and shooting pains, my grip is extremley poor which worries me after this length of time.  I am scheduled to have my left one done in around 6-8 weeks but I am now considering cancelling as I worry constantly that this will not resume to 100% mobility. Has anyone had this problem after this length of time? and did it improve up to 12 weeks post op?  any reply would be appreciated.

Hello Pamela,

I had my surgery  carpal tunnel syndrome 8 weeks ago on my  right hand.  My job requires alot of manual handling as am working for elderly people in Nursing home pushing of heavy wheelchairs,manual hoists etc therefore I am still off work.  I am in constant pain and scar area is solid and tender feels lumpy,still have unexpected sharp pain occasionally,struggling with pain, some swelling around operated area and wrist. Consultant said to me don't worry then referred  to Physio.

Indeed swelling has to go by this time but it is still there, am not very comfortable which making me worry now.

Regards,

Tomi

Hello Pamela,

I had my surgery  carpal tunnel syndrome 8 weeks ago on my right hand.  My job requires alot of manual handling with elderly residents in Nursing home environments using manual hoists and pushing of heavy wheelchairs. I am still struggling with pain and some swelling in scar area,wrist joints, pain in finger joints and the scar area is solid and feels lumpy. During 7th week review consultant said to me nothing to worry then referred to Physio and waiting to start exercise now.

Indeed the swelling has to disappear by this time.But swelling still there which making me worry now reason something is inappropriate.

Regards,

Tomi 2003

Hi Pamela,

I had my surgery 6 weeks ago and I do see improvement. After I got my stitches out I was using playdough and a squishy ball to exercise my hand. Then my doctor said not to use those because I wasn't getting the full range of motion in order to close my hand. I am almost able to close my hand where I am able to touch the tips of my fingers to the palm. However, like you my incision is still very tender and I cannot pick up things with that hand or open door knobs either. I do get frustrated that it is not healing quicker. I will not get my other hand done until this hand is completely healed. My incision is still red and bumpy also. Hang in there and I will too. God bless you!

Pamela,

It has been 8 weeks since my carpal tunnel surgery.  My right hand was listed as severe so naturally I went ahead and got the surgery done after years of not being able to sleep due to the pain and numbness in my hand.  I am experiencing what is known as pillar pain and it is not getting any better.  I own a salon and also do hair 10 hours a day.  I only took 2 days off work because my surgeon said I could work that day if I wanted.  I have no grip yet and it burns at the base of my wrist.  I have lumps around my incision and now the pain is shooting up into my shoulder.  The surgeon said that it is undetermined as to who is going to get this pain due to carpal tunnel surgery.  I guess I am the lucky one.  I know you posted this 11 months ago.  My question to you is...did it get any better?  I have twice cancelled my surgery on my left hand because of the right.  I am so frustrated and just don't know what to do.  You couldn't pay me a milion dollars to do a push up for it is impossible!  Ugh!!!!

I had CTR on my dominant right hand on 10 June, I'm almost 3 weeks post op. Scar is healing nicely, no more waking with fingers 'gone to sleep', and I have regained a good bit of flexibilty. Small amount of pillar pain after utilizing my hand and it is still difficult to make a fist, primarily due to fingers still swelling. On the whole, surgery has been successful.

What I have not seen so far is anyone with an issue with pain on the back side (non palm) of their wrists. When I bend my wrist forward and try to close my hand (fingers closing in, palm facing down), I get a very sharp pain down the back of my hand and have to immediately release. I've tried looking this up, but all info I've found relates to pain on the palm side after surgery.

I see my surgeon again in three weeks, but if anyone has any ideas or information before that, it would be most helpful.

Hi, I had my non-dominant (right)hand done a month ago and my left hand 2 weeks ago. I didn't have much pain the first time but a lot of pain this time. My surgeries were a little different because he also did thumb trigger releases, so he sent me home with exercises to start doing after the first day. I'm thankful for all of your post because they helped me to ask many many questions. I get my stitches out of my left hand in 2 days and will start the scar portion of recovery on that hand and strength exercises on the right. I have been using a healing ointment that the pharmacist suggested but as I read some of you do, I still use the brace at night. But both hands still ache on occasion but not like they did. I pray that things get better for us all.

Best Wishes Lynn