Carpal tunnel ops

[pelvicflawed]

Finally had my left carpal tunnel decompressed 2.5 weeks ago (right due to be done in a couple of months) just wondering how long it takes before your hand feels pain free???. The brusing has gone, the stitches came out last week and the wound has healed nicely but my hand is still bl**dy sore/achy (as bad as the CP!). At 2.5 weeks I expect to stiff have some discomfort but just wondering how long it goes on for??????

had my right carpal tunnel done last january and was (virtually) painfree as soon as it was done. had my left hand done back in august, the carpal tunnel pain has now gone but have been left with soreness over the palm of my hand and have problems straightening it. Consultant has discharged me as the carpal tunnel op has done what they wanted it to do just left with painful scar tissue.

Thanks for your message - as soon as I had it done it kind of felt better (sort of 'free') the surgeon said my Carpal Tunnel was very tight. I'm just feeling fed up today as my hand is so achy - getting DS out of his car seat has been quite literally a pain and I'm wondering whether it was worth it and will it better. Sorry v.grumpy about it all today.

have found my left hand quite restricted since my op someimes i have to push my palm down on the table to straighten it all.

mine felt better instantly, are you still on pain meds?
Also did they cut the tunnel? that's what I ad done and it was a miracle

I'm pregnant now 34 wks and the other one is playing merry hell

Thanks for youe posts - the carpal tunnel was cut - I suppose whats getting me down was that it had stabalised in the last few months (late last summer it was agony and I was getting very little sleep) with the use of splints and was just a dull pain which sometimes got worse if I used my hands too much - pushing the pram seemed to be a big culprit. I'm still taking paracetamol/ibruprofen - perhaps I'm expecting too much just less than three weeks after the op???

Ok- am I just a hypocondriac or should I check it out with the GP - its now almost 4 weeks and I've got loads of pain down the right side of my left wrist (not CT type pain)-I'm feeling really p**d off with it as lifting DS is really hurting. Do I just need to get on with it and stop moaning or is this normal nearly 4 weeks later?????

Bump sorry feeling really sorry for myself - any other CTS op folks out there?????????

I had both my CT decompressed about 3 years ago. Had both done at the same time (don't even ask about going to the loo....) and after a few weeks pain/discomfort did settle down. I think because the surgery is on your hands which you obviously use a lot it is painful and trying to look after a child who wants picking up etc is tough. Did have discomfort pushing down on the palms of my hands for quite a while but it was better than the numbness and pain I'd had for about 2 years!

The scarring has healed really well and the cuts run along the lines of my palm so you can't see them.

Has anyone had the op and had another baby and got CTS again?

Thanks YummyMummy its a bit better today (but perhaps thats due to the painkillers I've taken - for the headache from the wine I drank last night!!!!). I know what you mean about pushing down on the palms that is a complete no NO!!!. Being the impatient type I guess I just hoped that by now I would be relatively pain free (the CT pain/stiffness has gone its the post op stuff)I'd also be interested if anyone has got it back again. You were very brave having both done at the same time - one at a time is bad enough!

pelvicflawed are you doing a post op exercise regime?
I worked in a day surgery unit as a physio for 9 months and all our CT decomp. patients got sent away with an advice sheet and several specific exercises/stretches to keep the median nerve mobile.
If you haven't had any advice I would speak to your GP re a physio referral asap.

Glad you are feeling a bit better today. I wasn't very brave having both done at the same time - didn't get the choice, the consultant just said that is how it is done! Since then, I've found out most people have 2 operations - I think getting over and done with in one go was probably better but the indignity of relying on someone else to do everything (yep everything...) for you.....!!

I suppose 4 weeks post-op is still early days. I'm very impatient to and wanted to get back to things ASAP. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks all - They mentioned doing hand steteches and touching the base of all your fingers with your thumb when I had it done - but I assumed (?) that was just to keep things mobile when I was bandaged and what I could do with the hand was limited - perhaps I need to do them again???. Today hasn't been too bad because I've been taking paracetamol and Ibruprofen (must get a bit of a hangover again!!!!!)

It's difficult to say if you should still be doing exercises as each surgeon will follow his/her own post-op protocol, which may involve lots of exercises or none at all!

If you saw a physio after your op, and if you are concerned about the pain and what you should/should not be doing with your wrist and hand at this stage, I reccomend you speak to an Orthopaedic physio.

Just call the hospital switchboard and ask them to either bleep the orthopaedic physio, or ask to be put through to the physio department, explain what is going on, and request the physio gives you a call at home. Most physios are more than happy to give advice over the phone, and the one's at your hospital should know the post op protocol of the surgeon who did your decompression.

HTH