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carpel tunnel operation

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rachel92942
rachel92942

I have had pins / needles that started last  year but then over the past few months the numbness and "bone pain" got worse very quickly. Can't get a full nights sleep.  Doctor diagnosed CTS in last month and went to see consultant yesterday who wants to do surgery in 3 weeks ( can't do that) so it's booked for right hand mid November and left hand 6 weeks later. I am a gardener. ....just set up own business in April. ...do you think the gardening has accelerated the condition and everyone seems to have different thoughts on how soon I can work again. Has anyone had it done about about June this year - how are your hands working now,  will I be able to dig ( I do lots of hand trowel digging) come march next year. It's hard to find info about after surgery,  recovery,  exercises etc. Seen some reports about hands being fatter, does thus usually happen? 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • elaine02726
    elaine02726 rachel92942

    Posted

    Hi Rachel

    sorry to hear you are suffering. Have you got splints to wear at night? Also hanging your arm over the side of the bed sometimes helps.

    in regards to recovery time post op. It is very variable. Given your job I would suggest you get in touch with physio soon after the op. for exercises. It is important however to take it very easy on using your hand until stitches are out. 

    My op was 4 months ago and my recovery feels 100% but I have had days when I thought it would never be right. The best thing is the pain free nights.

    keep using this blog post op. And there are lots of people who will have advice for you. Best wishes ELAINEELAINE

    • rachel92942
      rachel92942 elaine02726

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for your reply.  Just been given splints. ...last night was second night of wearing them and couldn't sleep as they felt do weird, expect I will get used to it. I have tried the dangling arms over bed but struggling to loosen the crampy numbness.  Have found dunking hand in cold water helps....but then you are wide awake afterwards :-) Some people have said their hands are fatter now....especially palms,  have you noticed this and how are the scars, obviously depends on surgeon but are they "in the way" , did you use anything like bio oil on them to help, and some people mentioned exercises,  Did you ask for physio or is that normal to just go on to it. Sorry, so many questions,  couldn't find out much as hospital,  it was more you have it so let's operate and then it's sorted.  .....worrying about my gardening as I only set business up in April.  Thank you

    • elaine02726
      elaine02726 rachel92942

      Posted

      Hi Rachel

      when you are out of bed and get the pins and needles hang your arm by your side and shake it vigorously, this seems to help. The scar is no trouble, hard to see it now. I just used any hand cream that was available, rubbing the scar with small circular movements with tip of finger quite firmly over any hard bits. The hospital did not offer physio as the op. is so minor it does not warrant their time. I did speak to them however and they encouraged me to move as much as seemed OK. I found some exercises on line but quite honestly it is pretty well common sense. You will come home with a fat bandage that I was told to remove after 48 hours but I have heard of people who were told to leave it on until stitches out. This is not good advice, if your hand is immobilised and there is no movement blood flow will be reduced and healing will be slower. Also you are putting yourself at risk of arthritis if bone movement is restricted. I was in plaster for 6weekd last year and I now have arthritis in my hand, it may have been there before but it was worse afterwards so keep moving is my advice.

      the nerve endings in the skin that have been cut are very sensitive afterwards and they need teaching their job again. I was told to keep touching the scar area with different textures, I used cotton wool, a rough towel, toothbrush and emery board!

      It goes through you but they quickly learn and now touching it and using my hand feels no different than before.

      the first couple of weeks were hard psychologically and everyone describes feeling low at some stage and feeling you will never be back to normal. It passes and the joy of sleeping without pins and needles makes it all worth while.

      keep asking questions, there are several of use out here willing to respond.

      Regards Elaine

    • rachel92942
      rachel92942 elaine02726

      Posted

      Thank you so much, lots of advice there which sounds good for me to try, thank you :-)
  • marie86421
    marie86421 rachel92942

    Posted

    Hi Rachel

    It will depend on how quickly you recover.  

    I would suggest that you book some physio, especially as you use a trowel, as applying pressure can be a bit painful post op.  I did not have physio and it took a long time before I could apply pressure on the heel of my hand.   In all other aspects my hand was fine and I could carry on as normal.

    My hand did not get fatter and you have to look really hard to notice where the scar is.

    Once you have had the operation, the relief you will feel from the pins and needles, bone pain and lack of sleep will be bliss.

    Good luck with the operation.

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