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carpal tunnel surgery post op

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976pamela
976pamela

I had my surgery  carpal tunnel syndrome 7 weeks ago on my dominant right hand.  My job requires alot of manual handling with adults with learning difficulties and pushing of heavy wheelchairs therefore I am still off work.  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.

8 likes, 191 replies

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  • chezb50
    chezb50 976pamela

    Posted

    Hi. I am 3 weeks post op on my dominant right hand. I was quite scared as for the first 24 hours I experienced numbness in all my fingers. i was sent home after surgery with 2 dressing patches and a sick note for 6 weeks and that was it!!. no after care advice. I didnt know when to change dressing, did I have to have a check up at a later stage or anything. 

    I guess in one respect i have been quite lucky as after a few days I did try and begin to use my hand as much as I could, once the stitches were removed (very neat job), i began using it more, although I do still suffer from sharp electricity shock type pains at times, it is still swollen especially where the hand meets the wrist area. it is tender and still experience pain. I cannot grip things tight enough to open e.g jar lid nor can I push a door handle down or pull it up.my children (all grown and married) say I am doing too much  thats why it hurts, but I hate having to rely on anyone. I have had no contact about any check ups or to ask how things are post surgery (which according to the booklet sent with appointment we are meant to receive). I am hoping the swelling, stifness and pain subsides in a few weeks as I am eager to return to work. I have heard many different stories regarding post op experiences and it seems hardly any post op information or care is given adn we are left to find things out ourselves. i hope you all improve soon x

  • lucynewas
    lucynewas 976pamela

    Posted

    Hello Pamela

    Are you based in the UK?  Have your pain and function improved?  If not, you may need to get a referral (or self refer if available in your area) for physiotherapy.

    Long term problems may mean you are eligible for Personal independence payment (PIP).  you can find out more on the disabilityrightsuk website by searching on there for their PIP guidance.

    With regard to work - please contact Access to work - you can find the number by searching on google.  They will come into your workplace and assess what adaptations and equipment you may need, and pay for it.  That equipment is then yours and moves with you if you change job!

  • carlina80559
    carlina80559 976pamela

    Posted

    Hello am Carlina I myself had the carpal tunnel surgery done on October 1, 2015. Before surgery my doctor said i had it in both hands and the my right hand was really bad and told me we need to get the right hand done right away, i wish I never got it done. Because even tho my scar healed it feels like. A bone in the blam of my hand is sticking out, then I get these real bad shooting pains like volts shoot three my fingers. I hate that I did this I could of kept it the way it was.
    • doreen44684
      doreen44684 carlina80559

      Posted

      Hi Carlina I had surgery 3 months ago on my right hand because it was the worst . i have a pain in the palm of my hand don't like to touch it and fingers won't straighten. Seeing consultant next week so will see what they say. Left hand to be done but can't think about it till right hand better. Got a message from someone who had op 8 months ago and he said it gets better but takes time . Others have said the dsame thing. He still gets odd shooting pains. Guess we need a lot of patience - Doreen
    • elaine02726
      elaine02726 doreen44684

      Posted

      Hi Doreen

      so sorry for Carlian and yourself. I was one of the lucky ones who had immediate relief. I can't help with the pain but your 'don't like to touch it' is something I suffered and was advised that the nerve endings in the skin lost their memory when they were cut. I was told to educate them in their role by touching them with different textures. I used cotton wool, a toothbrush, rough towel and even an emery board. It goes through you to do it but it works so is worth doing. I have followed this blog for 18 months now and there is a huge variety in experience and recovery rate. It seems to take longer to recover than if you get it done early so despite your misgivings don't leave it too long before you get your other hand done. I think the longer you leave it the more damage can occur. I do hope you both start to feel some improvement soon.

      Regards Elaine

    • doreen44684
      doreen44684 elaine02726

      Posted

      thank you Elaine - pain is only on palm of hand nearest fingers - feels like a bruise - scar has healed ok - can 'feel' it but usng hand as normal as possible
    • doreen44684
      doreen44684 elaine02726

      Posted

      Hi Elaine - just an update - been back to consultant today and he said all my symptoms down to nerves  healing and will improve in time - and to keep rubbing things over the scar to help nerves heal quicker even though scar doesn't feel too bad - so just what you said - thanks Doreen
    • doreen44684
      doreen44684 carlina80559

      Posted

      hi carlina just an update - now 7 months on from op and hand getting stronger - pain in palm has gone - feel still some healing to go so have put off op to left hand meantime - twisting pain in wrist still a problem but getting less - so just feel it is down to time - hope you feel better
  • joann63715
    joann63715 976pamela

    Posted

    I had my CTS done 3 years ago and my both hands are still tingling and numb.  If I had one good hand I would not go through CTS  However I am thinking about having my left hand in a revision surgery.  Think hard about it.  Good luck
  • Travisisla
    Travisisla 976pamela

    Posted

    I had my op 4 months ago but on both hands . I got all the sensation back as normal , but have been left in a lot of pain, and just the simplist of things arehard work as I'm very week now and hurt with the more I do, I would have thought twice about having the op if I had known this
  • doreen44684
    doreen44684 976pamela

    Posted

    hi pamela - had my op 6 months ago now and only started to feel strength come back after 4 months - i also need left hand done but putting off till more healing in right hand - i used bio oil on scar - still using but helping - also got squeeze ball to use when sitting reading or watching tv and use it for hour or more and think this has also helped - was told takes up to year to heal properly
  • gillian2260
    gillian2260 976pamela

    Posted

    i had  my  trapezectomy and carpel tunnel  done in my left hand in oct 2015   we are in feb  2016 now and im still having trouble  saw my surgeon  2 weeks ago  he says thumb  stiff see  you in 6 months  i cant  grip anything and the  scar in the carpel tunnel area is very  tender, i get shooting pains  and numbness to be honest i wish i never had  it done it was  so painfull  i couldnt  cope  at  1 point  and the plaster was driving me  mad  why is  it  so tender it feels like  its pulled  tight   and  it is still  painfull im fed up of it now  ;-(
  • shanaaz78871
    shanaaz78871 976pamela

    Posted

    Hi there

    I had my surgery on my left hand in 29 September 2015 followed by my right hand on 24 December 2015. I started my finger exercises immediately after surgery and my wrist exercises when my sutures were removed. I gently massaged my wounds with tissue oil and the scar is almost invisible now. I am happy I had the surgery. I have recently developed severe wrist pain when I bend my wrists. Did anyone else experience this? 

  • tiffanytay16
    tiffanytay16 976pamela

    Posted

    Hi I am Tiffany I had my carpal tunnel surgery last week 3/29/2016 I am in alot of pain I can't move my hand figures or arm that much then on 4/03/2016 Sunday I was going up my porch and fell face first and out of reaction I stopped myself with my hands and split everything open agai. It was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life I went to the er sprained my wrist yay me on top of reopening every stich in my wrist. I can not grad onto anything I can not feel the upper part of my hand and I am freaking out any suggestions. I don't know what is going to happened I am suppose to get stitches out tomorrow
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