1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Carpal Tunnel

Light at end of tunnel!

Posted , 8 users are following.

ali79972
ali79972

After  being told by my surgeon that the pain and swelling 4 months after surgery is probably with me for good now I was given cause for optimism by my GP. Apparently it can take up to a year for inflammation to completely go and for swelling to subside. The fact that it is still slightly red where the incision was made means it hasn't healed completely yet.  

I just wanted to share that in case anyone else has problems post surgery. I guess healing times are different for all of us but I feel more confident now that the pain will go.   

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

Next
  • Tazchurch
    Tazchurch ali79972

    Posted

    Perfectly true but if you have not seen one ask for a referral to a specialist hand physiotherapist as this will help speed things up amongst other things
    • ali79972
      ali79972 Tazchurch

      Posted

      Thank you for that. I will see if that is possible. 
    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch ali79972

      Posted

      If your Dr has not heard of them most hospitals have specialist hand clinics at which they work so get referred through there.
  • hillary67167
    hillary67167 ali79972

    Posted

    I am amazed your surgeon said such a thing. I am two months post op and have been having physio for the last two weeks which has definitely helped. 
  • Rederali1221
    Rederali1221 ali79972

    Posted

    Great news for you and I'm happy for you too. My doctor told me after 6 months everything will be ok. But as far as today, my left hand can't hang a gallon of water and still pain, My surgery has 7 months already, almost 8 months. Hurts too much. My right hand is getting worse, but is too early, the surgery only has 5 months and counting. I can't cut even a salad or tomatoes, I have no straightening on my wrist 
    • ali79972
      ali79972 Rederali1221

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that. Hopefully with time it will settle. My gap told me it can be quite common for it to take a long time to settle so there is hope I think. What my gp also said to do is wear a splint at night as we all tend to wriggle around and end up squashing our wrists. I have woken up with less immediate pain since doing this over the last few days though I expect it to take months before sorted.  I am trying to have a positive approach to it now too. Good luck with it all. 
  • mark26805
    mark26805 ali79972

    Posted

    Hi All, I'm day 4 after the operation on my right hand and although it generally feels good I have frequent sharp pains running up my middle fingers. Like hot wires that only last a second.

    I can make a weak fist, but it's hollow inside the fingers, and my thumb can touch my first two fingers easily, but not the other two. A bit of numbmess in the ends of my fingers, but this comes and goes a bit.

    I'm trusting time will heal everything, it's such a common operation; just worried that the surgeon cut a bit too much and severed nerves!!!!

    Great to be able to chat to others in similar situations.

    • hillary67167
      hillary67167 mark26805

      Posted

      Hi Mark, it's early days yet and you'll probably experience a whole host of sensations (some painful) before the nerves all start settling down.  From my own experience it takes longer than  anticipated and progress is slow but it does get better in the end.
  • mark26805
    mark26805 ali79972

    Posted

    In my job I need strong hands and I was quite surprised when the Dr signed me off for 6 weeks!
  • rachel92942
    rachel92942 ali79972

    Posted

    I had my right hand done last Tuesday and think I have read to many things expecting to be pain free, but unable to grip. After an 8 hr delayed surgery which helped tremendously on the stress front :-) the local anaesthetic wouldn't take and had to keep being "topped up". I am getting pain still and a numb thumb ( lots of people said pain goes straight away) but an not sure how much grip I should have as most people say none but I can "grip" tiny things - scared to actually "pick it up" in case it hurts. I didn't expect the surgery / post op to hurt quite so much buy suppose everyone is different. I hope your hands start to improve soon x
    • mark26805
      mark26805 rachel92942

      Posted

      Hi Rachel, mine was also done last Tuesday (18th Nov) in Stratford-on-Avon.

      Local didn't work for me either, painful injection and my hand was numb but during operation had very painful "electric" shocks running down middle fingers.

      After 24 hours my fingers felt great but occasional "electric" shocka were worrying; thought it was when I was stretching wrong....but even now still get them and in different positions so I can't believe it is just when I move in a particular place/way.

      Ends of fingers are still numb but this comes and goes and is not painful.

      Before the op. I only ever got pins and needles when cycling or driving and it was not painful as such....just numb really!

      I am still hoping it will get better in time, I'm having the stitches out in another week. I have put the new dressing over these now.

      Keep wriggling those fingers! I can now clench my fist so fingers touch my palm, but weakly....would not be able to punch!!!!!

      Great to be able to chat to others like this.

    • rachel92942
      rachel92942 mark26805

      Posted

      Hi

      Tuesdays obviously a good day for cts surgery then !

      I can get my thumb to "tough" my first two fingers but that's it. Making a loose fist is ok. ....its very achey till and pins / needles / buzzing I side but expect it will calm down. I am a landscape gardener, will be having my left hand done after Xmas but need both hands "working" at full strength by end of march.....think I will be doing lots of exercises with them.

      My stitches are to come out next Tuesday.  I worry about people / things bumping into my hand so seem to be very "protective " of it at the moment.

      Not to worried about making fist - not intending to punch anyone whilst am out gardening :-)

    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 rachel92942

      Posted

      Early days yet Rachel!  Bit by bit you will find each day you can do more.  smile  My surgeon said not to baby the hand so I do what I can with light things and if it hurts I stop and try again another day and am amazed how bingo I can do it !!  It's ok to try and pick up something light...even if it hurts you will not be doing damage and will just listen to the hand and wait to do it again in a day or two.  Rooting for you !!!  smile
  • andrea34800
    andrea34800 ali79972

    Posted

    Hi, i the same pain and swelling of my right hand had mine done 7 months ago to. Are u working because i carnt with a hand this bad, having my left hand done beginning of  next year. My doc says same i might have it forever, the pains unreal sometimes .

    its nice to hear i not along, hope we gonna pull though it 😊 let me know how u going on take care Andrea 

    • rachel92942
      rachel92942 andrea34800

      Posted

      Hi Andrea. ....sorry to hear your still having problems. .....I am a landscape gardener and need to be back ready to work in the spring / March.  I am having my left hand done after Xmas too. I think the pain is horrible.....I just wasn't expecting to still have it after the op.  ..although I suppose I need to give it more time. Perhaps you might be able to have some physio to help you? x
    • mark26805
      mark26805 rachel92942

      Posted

      I spoke to several people (including my mom) who had already had the operation and no-body mentioned pains afterwards, they all said it was simple operation and they wished they had had it sooner. I had no pain before op. just pins and needles after doing certain events (cycling/painting). These "electric" shocks feel like red hot wires poked inside my fingers and they come along when I don't expect them.

      Otherwise I can type with all fingers, hold items, pick things up but I am careful with my whole arm and tend to hold it across my chest when walking or in a coat pocket.

      I keep opening and closing fingers, making a  fist, straigtening my fingers... but my inside palm is bruised and all hand is slightly puffy and swollen.

      Thanks everyone for the continuation in how we all feel, whilst we are all different it's great to know we are in this together and it's likely to improve with time.

      Mark

    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 mark26805

      Posted

      I also had no pain before surgery....but the pins and needles drove me crazy....as did the constantly dropping things  sad  When I first took off the big bandage after 48 hours I wore a brace at night to make sure my wrist didn't bend and when I went out to provide more protection to the palm area.  Like you I was a bit apprehensive about the palm getting knocked.  After a about a week of that and by the time I got my stitches out I no longer felt the need to do that.  Hope things keep improving for you and its better as each day goes by ! Keep the faith !!  smile

       

    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 mark26805

      Posted

      I also had no pain before surgery....but the pins and needles drove me crazy....as did the constantly dropping things  sad  When I first took off the big bandage after 48 hours I wore a brace at night to make sure my wrist didn't bend and when I went out to provide more protection to the palm area.  Like you I was a bit apprehensive about the palm getting knocked.  After a about a week of that and by the time I got my stitches out I no longer felt the need to do that.  Hope things keep improving for you and its better as each day goes by ! Keep the faith !!  smile

       

    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 mark26805

      Posted

      I also had no pain before surgery....but the pins and needles drove me crazy....as did the constantly dropping things  sad  When I first took off the big bandage after 48 hours I wore a brace at night to make sure my wrist didn't bend and when I went out to provide more protection to the palm area.  Like you I was a bit apprehensive about the palm getting knocked.  After a about a week of that and by the time I got my stitches out I no longer felt the need to do that.  Hope things keep improving for you and its better as each day goes by ! Keep the faith !!  smile

      ​

    • Ram2645
      Ram2645 mark26805

      Posted

      I also had no pain before surgery....but the pins and needles drove me crazy....as did the constantly dropping things  sad  When I first took off the big bandage after 48 hours I wore a brace at night to make sure my wrist didn't bend and when I went out to provide more protection to the palm area.  Like you I was a bit apprehensive about the palm getting knocked.  After a about a week of that and by the time I got my stitches out I no longer felt the need to do that.  Hope things keep improving for you and its better as each day goes by ! Keep the faith !!  smile

      ​

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.