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The Kitchen Table

To those that had surgery for Carpal Tunnel

12 years ago

How long did the surgery take.,,,ie is it put you to sleep surgery or do they just numb the hand and do it in the office? How long before you could go back to work? How long is the recovery time??

Thanks in advance for your information!!!

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Comments (7)

Shelgal
12 years ago
Mine was some years ago and I was put to sleep but it was outpatient surgery; I went home the same day. The surgeon put a pressure bandage on my hand which I had to wear for a week until the stitches came out. As I recall, after the bandage came off and the stitches, I was very soon able to drive (this was my right hand) and go about my business. There was very little pain or discomfort after the surgery. I believe I only took Advil instead of painkillers, and only once or twice.
ivamae
12 years ago
I didn't have the surgery. I did the Carpal Tunnel Institute exercises and they really helped greatly but I got mine near the start.

Wishing you all the best
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Hi flyleft, I am just catching up with this now. My incision was about an inch, maybe a bit more. I had the stitches out last week (16 days after surgery). It was a relief to be rid of them. Also, having my hand bandaged all that time was very bothersome. I unwrapped the ace bandage to let my hand kind of cool off. I was constantly sticking my fingers under the bandages to let my hand breathe and to give it a mini-massage. I fished out a revolting piece of gauze that was bothering me (sorry, hope that's not tmi).I was so glad when he cut off the bandages. After that, he covered the incision with tape, and said it was okay to get it wet. Of course, after three days of showering, it came off. After that, I covered it with big bandaids. Now I don't cover it at all. I was also told not to put any pressure on the incision. It was all scabby, but that is gone now, too. It's been healing well, but I am impatient to have a normal functioning hand again. The incision still hurts and certain movements are painful. The only way to tell what that might be is when I feel that zing of pain. Nothing unbearable at all. It seems to mainly involve anything that requires the use of muscles in my palm. Yesterday I got out in the garden and kind of overdid it, so today my hand feels stiff and sore. Most of the painful tingling is gone from my thumb and pointer, but the middle finger still tingles. I no longer have the painful numbness or freezing cold sensation. No, I didn't have the pain you describe going up to my elbow. I did have horrible pain, tingling and numbness in my arm, but wearing the brace at night helped that even before the surgery. The worst pain was in my hand and wrist. It's been 3.5 weeks from my surgery, so I would allow 4 - 5 weeks to feel close to recovery. I am doing pretty well now as long as I don't overdo it. I was led to believe that this procedure was "nothing" -- a small inconvenience and it is more than that, but certainly not major surgery or recovery. Here's a picture of my hand that I just took. I hope no one is offended by looking at my incision, but I don't think it looks too gross. I apologize to anyone who might think this is inappropriate. Hope this gives you an idea of what to expect. There is dry skin on either side of the cut. If you look closely, you can see that my palm is still bruised-looking. Please ask me any questions at all. I was very glad for the info I got here. Maybe I will live longer since the scar is on the life line of my palm, which makes the line longer!!
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Shelgal
12 years ago
Mine was some years ago and I was put to sleep but it was outpatient surgery; I went home the same day. The surgeon put a pressure bandage on my hand which I had to wear for a week until the stitches came out. As I recall, after the bandage came off and the stitches, I was very soon able to drive (this was my right hand) and go about my business. There was very little pain or discomfort after the surgery. I believe I only took Advil instead of painkillers, and only once or twice.
dedtired
12 years ago
I was in and out of the surgi-center in less than two hours. I was no longer working but could easily have gone back to work the next day.

I was put to sleep but it was pretty light stuff. After sitting in the recovery room drinking juice and eating crackers, I got up and walked out to the car, no problem. I certainly did not drive myself home. My son went with me.

As I recall, the stitches were out in two weeks and then it is like any other cut that heals -- a gradual process. I have photos of my hand just after the stitches were taken out. I could email one of them to you if you are curious. Nothing gory!

One tip -- be sure to wear clothes that you can get on and off with one hand. It would be hard to zip and button a pair of jeans afterwards. Tell your hubs to wear some sweat pants, a pullover shirt (no buttons) and slip on shoes. Either that or you will have to do it for him.
kathyg_in_mi
12 years ago
Mine too was quite a few years ago, maybe 8 years.
Knocked me out, home the same day. I think I had to take a couple of weeks off from work and have therapy.
I had both wrists done about 4 to 6 weeks apart.

This post was edited by kathyg_in_mi on Fri, Dec 6, 13 at 22:02
alisande
12 years ago
Thirteen years ago, but I remember that it was done in the hospital under general anesthesia, and I told the surgeon to keep it light. I guess he did, because I woke before they were completely finished. He and another doctor were talking about some huge burger they had at a fast-food restaurant, and I lectured them about improving their eating habits. I'm sure they were tempted to put me back under. LOL
sushipup1
12 years ago
My experience was 30 years ago, but it still was only 2 or 3 hours at the hospital, full anesthesia, but fast. Worked instantly and have no no recurrence in 30 years. Everything else is same experience as others have reported,

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