Carpal tunnel surgery recovery time.

[Underhisi]

I have carpal tunnel syndrome and at my initial consultation the consultant said that he would probably recommended surgery if tests confirmed it, which they now have
For those who have had this surgery, how long did your recovery take?

Think it’s quite a while... are they going to do each arm separately?

I’m sure my colleague had 6 months off work?

I had mine done separately few years ago, I'm a ta and had at most a week off as couldn't drive. Think it actually might have been less. Wasn't particularly painful afterwards just awkward while stitches healed.

My dad had surgery just under 2 weeks ago and he was signed off for 6 weeks from work. He could use his hand after 3-4 days but he struggled to lift anything heavy and he can't drive for the first two weeks.

I wonder if it depends where the cut as I remember them saying it used to be in wrist but did mine did mine in palm.
Would also depend on job you do.

Could I ask how long it took after the tests for you to get a confirmed diagnosis? I recently had tests for carpal tunnel but have heard nothing and wondered when I should hear something. In my case I’m hoping for carpal tunnel as, if it’s not, it’s likely to be something more serious.

My GP diagnosed mine. I didn't get referred though as it isn't severe enough to warrant the operation at this time.

Friend he it done and went back to work the next day, I suppose it depends on your job and circumstances, but 6 months seems particularly excessive. Unless of course the person had complications.

6 months!!! Something must have gone badly wrong for it to take that long, unless he worked as a micro surgeon or something like that.

I had both of mine done several years ago so can't remember exactly how long it took to recover. Couldn't drive for the few few days and had a dressing on for a week but then pretty much back to normal, just being careful until the scar healed. That includes getting an infection around the stitches for the first hand to be done. Definitely no more than weeks until absolutely back to normal.

Had both mine done separately, and was off work for 2 weeks, able to drive at 2 weeks but only do light duties til 6 weeks post op.

My husband had it done, we had almost a week where he couldn't do much, weird stuff like opening doors, turning on the tap etc. He had 6 weeks off work in the end but he has a physical job and a separate condition that can hinder recovery so wanted to be safe.
He said if he had an office type job he Could've gone back in 2-3 weeks

Oh and he had both done together

I had a week off, couldn't drive for 2. I have a desk job.
Almost a year later and I have no problems with it
It took a couple of months for it to stop aching.
After 6 months I'd forgotten about it

Depends on the job you do. Or how much sick time you get paid for. I dare say if you're getting paid and hate your job you'll take the maximum time off. Certainly someone I know did this

6 months???? Nope. The operation was fine. Over in half an hour. I was doing the hand exercises before I even got off the table. They are the most important thing to do. Make sure u do them. I can’t stress this enough. I didn’t need much in the way of pain killers. I had the stitches out a week and a half later and was driving after about three. I couldn’t put weigh on my hand with the palm down for about a year when trying to get up off the floor.

Was a great success.

Thanks for the replies. It was confirmed on the day of the tests. It's only in one hand as suspected. I don't work but I have a severely disabled child where there is a lot of physical care and physical challenging behaviour.

I took a week off work but tbh I could have gone back sooner. It was easy. Right hand as well. I timed the op so I had it the week DD started at primary school. They didn't cut up my wrist but up my palm. 7 stitches if I remember. Scar is about 2 inches long.

I had 6 weeks off with mine, couldn't drive, couldn't get dressed, do my hair etc.