Concerns about Carpal Tunnel surgery

I had both hands done 5 weeks apart ,I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made ,during surgery u feel nothing ,after its uncomtable not painfull ,it gets tight as stitches dry out but it's 10 days and they r out .as soon as stitches are out she will be driving and can go back to work by then .dont listen to some stories ,I did and almost did not have first op and I can really say it's no longer than 15 min in op and back to normal almost straight away .i have just had ulna nerve surgery and I am such a coward I don't even go to dentist

this is all so variable, her Dr should tell her when to drive and all. But then my Dr was quite cavalier, thought I could drive and go back to work after a day or 2. But then he gave me a ton of pain pills (which I took only twice). He did say an active hand recovers the quickest but no lifting over 5 lbs for 2 weeks. He gave me a Rx for PT for IF I thought I needed it, but I never did use it. 

I went back to work and drove myself at 2 weeks but I had to take another week off, not because of driving, I could have driving about 4 days postop. I work as an ER nurse and it can be quite strenuous and of course, germs galore. When I overdid my thumb got numb and it scared me. My thumb was numb, started getting better after a few days but took several months to go completely away.

I have read a lot about sensitive scars, people touching the scars with feathers and working up to more pressure but it sounded like too much rubbish to me, I just rubbed it often with some oil and got past the sensitive thing in a couple days. 

I had ungodly pain at night and sometimes during the day, that's completely gone from day one. The pain relief is why I could never regret it.

My BIL has some permenent nerve damage but he waited years, WAY TOO long to have surgery. He's still better off now.

I am certain somebody out there regrets it, nothing is 100%, but I don't know them. I know a couple people that had to have it re-done but the first was done a looong time ago.

Hi there..

1. She can drive before surgery and the day after surgery if she feels comfortable. For the first day the hand must be keep elevated and the pain will go after one night. Any way for me i didn take a pain killer even ..as it was just a little pain and manageable.

2.flex the fingers and make fist and open it. Streach the arm towards cieling. She should do it from the night after surgery if not sooner. 5 times an hour. She shouldnt let the flesh under skin weld as it is as later she might need physio.

3.the pain and numbness go after the surgey and she feel diference from the first night.

4. No one can say i did surgery after two months. Theres no scar. But still pains if i do push ups. But its getting better.in normal condition..no pain at all.

5.No..unless the surgey go wrong...actually the aim of the surgery is to release the nerves.Any way its the lowest risk surgery.

6. If it local anastasic for surgery..numbness if there for hours..but not because of the surgery itself.

7.i wish i had get it done longer before. I did exactly 2 months ego. Im auto technician and love push up and pull ups... what i said was according to my experience and knowledge. I was almost watching the surgery using the above spot light steel frame as a mirror :-) actual surgey doesnt take more than 10 minutes and i recommand to ask your doctore to give you local anesthetic and just numb the hand. General anesthetic is terrible as you feel terrible for hours and not that goog for body.

Good luck...nothing to worry about. :-)

Hi Jonny. I had both hands done 3 weeks apart over a year ago and although like with any surgery there will be some discomfort and some limitation of movement for a short while it is all so wOrth it. I waited too long (decades) and because of that I still have some lack of sensitivity in my fingertips but I knew going in that likely would not improve. All other ct symptoms are gone and I love being able to hold a book or a telephone again and have working hands on the morning . If your gf is interested, there is a really good Facebook support group called I Survived Carpal Tunnel Surgery. That group, along with this group and Dr. Jeremy Bland's support website were all so very helpful in my understanding what to expect from the surgery. Good luck to your gf no matter what she decides.

Hello there. I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my dominant hand 2 weeks ago. Prior to the surgery I had suffered for many years with it in both hands. My dominant hand was worse. Since the surgery I have not had any symptoms. No numbing, tingling, no feeling of electricity shooting thru my hand and fingers. Surgery was only 10mins. For me was worth it. Will be doing the other hand at some point

Hi. I am an active mum to three young children whose hubby works away i had my dominate hand done 12 days ago. I elevated it permanently for 3 days post op and then started using it as have always been told being active early aids recovery. My anesthetic didnt wear off for nearly 24hrs and this was more painful than once it had.Today i drove my car and yes i cant open jars or push off with my hand but i can clean, cook etc. First 3 days i know it sounds off but i didnt worry about showering properly, just washed what i could as so important to keep it dry so it can heal. After 3 days I had my mum to help cook for my children and drive them to school but Ive been using it to do household chores. If it starts to throb I simply stop and elevate it for a time. I took no pain relief after day 2 and am thrilled I chose to go ahead. The painful numbness and tingling stopped day 1. It is still slightly swollen and as it gets better ive been told i will actually feel a little more pain in my arm as i kind of need to relengthen my whole arm so have total arm and shoulder exercises to do to help this. My CT got so bad I couldnt hold a pen or my cutlery as my forearm was dead without sensation. I can now feel the cold in my fingers and can use a pen, catch a ball etc and im only 12 days post surgery. You need to ask whats best for you but i was told keep it dry at all costs until incision is healed but use it and did and am amazed at the diffetence. I had the stiches out 2 days ago and its freed my hand up even more.My scar is ugly im using bio oil on it but im not vain enough to care as long as my hand works. Family are gobsmacked at my recovery and keep telling me to take it easy but if i can use it i will...gently gently. I will have my other hand done without concern and wish you well on you journey.

wished i had them amswers when i had my surgeries

got some answers for you - my experience

no pain after op

keep moving fingers and when stitches out  use of a squeeze ball helps

scar slightly sensitive helps to gently rub on soft materials

no numbness to fingers but middle finger very tight and a little pain for a few weeks

took 3 months before i could say i had strength enough in fingers - as on my own had to adapt to buying lighter pots, use travel kettle, get special opener for cans etc

i am an older lady and have arthritis in fingers and they curl in so don't know how much of my experience will help - sorry don't drive so can't advise on that - am glad to have no tingling and nerve pain in hand so felt needed op but wish had been told would take 3 to 4 months before strength started to come back but that may not be the case for everyone - good luck

Don't worry about the surgery. Its usually 10 daysto 2 weeks before you can drive.

The sc ar is somewhat uncomfortable .I had mine done in dec. 2015. Also had cubital release (elbow) at same time. Haven't really had a lot of problems unless I overwork it.Numbness and pins and needle feeling were gone from day two. I went to therapy and got a routine that i coulkd do at home. Go for it!