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Original poster

Carpol tunnel surgery

20 replies

Purple80 · 09/07/2017 21:19

Hi need some advice as I am due to have carpol tunnel surgery in 2weeks time.

I have been suffering from pins and needles and pains in my left wrist and hand since January and after having a nerve conduction test on my hand was told I have a moderate case of carpol tunnel. I have an appointment with a surgeon in 2weeks for a consultation and he is likely to do the surgery on the same day.

However after hereing a lot of stories from other people I'm a bit hesitant to have it done. Although these people's surgerys went well they where out of action for along time work wise one for 6 weeks the other 3 months and both said they had to do light duties for 6 months. Which to me is a long time to not be able to do things. They also said it was pain ful afterwards.

I suppose I would just like to get some other people's points of views ie how long was it before you could use your hand what type of pain management did u get when could you drive again bearing in mind it's my left hand and so I need to change gear and brake.

Just really don't no what to do as at the moment I can use my had fine I still have grip and no weakness just the pins and needles and aching any advice appreciated please

OP posts:
tshirtsuntan · 09/07/2017 21:23

I've had both mine done (separately) it was fine, pain managed with nurofen/paracetamol. The second time I got the bus home from hospital and stopped off at the supermarket on the way. Driving after a couple of weeks. It's more awkward than anything, definitely worth it to stop the symptoms. Have you had steroid injections yet? They can hold it off for a while.

Original poster
Purple80 · 09/07/2017 21:31

Hi tshirtsuntan wow that's good to here how soon did you return to work I was never offered the injections just referred straight for surgery. Did u have to do any sort of excercies afterwards

OP posts:
TinyTumble · 09/07/2017 21:34

Had my right hand done in December. I had severe CTS so the relief was instant even though like you I thought it wasn't having that much of an impact on my life. But my nights were finally pain free as were early mornings, no more shaking my wrist for hours trying to 'free' it. I drove within two weeks. I'm right handed so a bit of a pain in the arse and yes a bit sensitive and sore but I've had major abdominal surgery since and in comparison the carpal tunnel surgery felt like a bee-sting! Definitely more frustrating than anything and that's just because it was my dominant hand. I was doing kettle bell and weights workouts within 6 or so weeks, marking a total recovery. No real time off work.
I would advise having it done, based purely on my experience.

redannie118 · 09/07/2017 21:35

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

Original poster
Purple80 · 09/07/2017 21:45

Hi tinytumble thanks it's in my left hand which is my dominant hand I'm useless at doing stuff with my right hand so have been really worried how I Going to be able to do everyday things.

Red Annie can I ask what sort of work you do as I work in a supermarket filling shelves so a lot of heavy lifting and box opening is involved as well as pushing heavy cages

OP posts:
tshirtsuntan · 10/07/2017 07:00

I was signed off for six weeks so couldn't go back before that with the first op, I was fine after a couple of weeks so asked them to sign me off for two weeks at a time with the second op and went back after two weeks. I was working as a nanny at the time with quite young children so relatively physical- lifting, putting buggy up and down etc. Randomly, the only thing I couldn't manage was opening tins so no beans for a couple more weeks!

hmcAsWas · 10/07/2017 07:10

Glad you posted this OP because I am getting my right hand done on 23 August. The not driving for 2 weeks is going to be challenging as I live in the arse end of nowhere!

TinyTumble · 10/07/2017 09:19

Obviously your surgeon will know best but I don't think you'll need to be off for six weeks, OP. Ironically it was fine motor skills like chopping veg and, um, wiping my bottom that were most challenging. Ridiculously heavy weights lifted with a single hand are probably not a good idea but I was lugging a heavy toddler around using my non-dominant side and with my operated arm as additional support within a fortnight.

redannie118 · 10/07/2017 13:12

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 10/07/2017 21:40

It was the best thing I ever did. Surgeon said I'd be able to drive 5 days post-op which was laughable, I just couldn't - didn't have the strength and it was too sore to put pressure on my palm. I wasn't ok to drive until 2 weeks post-op. I went back to work around the same time but only because I need my car to drive. I had some complications and the wound split open but even with this, by 4 weeks, the wound pain was well managed. The symptoms disappeared immediately after the surgery. I had a painful week or so as it healed but really, in the long run, in was worth it. I'm waiting to get my other hand done.

hmcAsWas · 11/07/2017 07:11

Eek - why did your wound split open SunnySkies? Is that a common complication?

LivingInMidnight · 11/07/2017 19:32

I had 6 weeks off and 9 months later it's still not 100% right. I think it's probably different for everyone. I'm a bit hesitant to get the other one done now tbh.

Saying that it didn't seem to be the same as all the accounts I read online. I had internal stitches for 2.5 weeks that hurt if I moved my hand and the wound was just steristripped. I also had several inches of suture wire coming out of my hand.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 12/07/2017 18:06

hmc No, not a common complication but not unexpected with my other health problems. It was ok though, just felt dry and stretchy. They weren't worried.

Original poster
Purple80 · 13/07/2017 20:18

Did any of you have a stabbing pain in your fore arm with it and your little finger and ring finger from the carpol tunnel

OP posts:
LivingInMidnight · 13/07/2017 20:29

That tends to be from ulner nerve compression/cubital tunnel. I do get it but it was less frequent than the carpal tunnel & it didn't show up when they did the nerve conduction studies. I actually find that more uncomfortable than the carpal tunnel when it's at its worst. It's the nerve running over your elbow so it's easy to aggravate it.

LivingInMidnight · 13/07/2017 20:29
  • ulnar
Original poster
Purple80 · 13/07/2017 20:33

Thanks livingmidnight that's what I thought it's a lot more pain full than the carpol tunnel symptoms and I'm wondering if I should get that sorted first

OP posts:
Original poster
Purple80 · 23/07/2017 13:01

Well just an up date had surgery done two day ago managing pain with ibrophen and paracetamol massive bandage on hand which makes it difficult to do some of the exercise but will be getting it changed Tuesday but all in all coping well going to attempted a shower later

OP posts:
ClumsyCow · 25/07/2017 16:02

How are you getting on Purple? How is the pain and how are you managing with one hand?

I have just got my date for my surgery, its 2 weeks today! EEK. I have been waiting a long time for it so just want to get on with it now, but dreading afterwards, not being able to do things, etc.

I get quite a bit of pain, not sure if I have arthritis too as well as the carpal tunnel. I also have weakness, numbness and am so clumsy so hope there is some improvement post op!

Original poster
Purple80 · 25/07/2017 18:02

Hi clumsy cow I'm fine had dressing changed today at gp so now have big plaster on hand and a tublier bandage hand still feels sore so still taking pain killers but can now move my fingers better getting used to dealing with one hand but still have get help with certain things. Hope you get on well in two weeks let me know how it goes

OP posts:
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