Swollen fingers and pain after carpal tunnel surgery, whats normal?

[ClumsyCow]

I had my right dominant hand done last Tuesday, i seem to be in an unusual amount of pain and my fingers are still numb at the tips and thumb and fingers swollen with occasional pins and needles in hand. Is this normal? After the procedure, i was numb for about 24 hours due to the nerve block/anaesthetic, then when i woke up on the Wednesday, OMG the pain, it was horrendous, i have been taking the cocodamol 30/500 that the hospital gave me. The pain has lessened from then but is still quite bad. I cannot take ibuprofen. Every so often i get a horrid tightening, pulling pain sensation in my palm and wrist area. There is a large bruise forming in my palm. The wound was checked at 48 hours and al was fine. I dont have bandage , just a large plaster on the stiches , the wound is also longer than Dr said it would be, around 4cm long.
I am due stiches out on Friday

Just wondering if all this is normal, or maybe i am just extra bruised?

Excuse typos, left handed typing

[Ginzo00]

Had Carpel surgery 2 days ago. I still have pain and dumbness in fingers. Assume itz normal?! Trying to wean off opioid in favor of ibuprofen. Enjoy reading about others going through this. I am also dealing with PMR with pain in shoulders and lower hips.

[Freckles48]

I too had my right dominant hand done three weeks ago, and I can honestly say I'd rather give birth. It has been and is still quite painful...so I can sympathize with you. My stitches came out 2 weeks ago & it's still swollen, burning & limiting my hand function. The surgeon should have sent me for physical Therapy or at best given me exercises to do. He did nothing. I too must do my other hand but it'll be way down the road and definitely with a different surgeon. I am doing my own exercises with a stress ball, applying ice & using a paraffin wax machine. Do your best to exercise your hand & fingers with a Therapy ball. Best of luck to you.

[Freckles48]

@ Clumsy Cow....I posted an answer to you, hope you read it. And hope your better soon

[Sharon2512]

Hi there I know this is a post that has happened long after your surgery but I just wanted how you're getting on? I had the surgery done yesterday and the place where they made the cut is itching and it's kind of painful but I guess it takes time to heal? Anyway would be very curious to see how you're getting on. I hope you made a good recovery. With very best wishes Sharon

[ClumsyCow]

Hi everyone, hope everyone is doing ok.

Just an update, I am having a trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction next week! Gotta say that I am shitting myself.

I have been doing ok-ish, managed to go back to work part time (secretary) but still a lot of pain in thumb joint which is arthritis. I still have trigger finger and some stiffness from the CRPS symptoms I had but was doing ok but I am not sure if being back at work has worsened the arthritis or not, I have it in both hands but the right one is the worse. It has got to the point where is it painful to even touch the joint, it hurts to clean my teeth, I drop virtually everything that I pick up, I struggle to write. I have now on sick leave waiting for my op

I would not be lying if I said that I am so scared of the CRPS again. I am taking high dose vitamin C and having the op under GA and will keep on top of my painkillers this time in advance so fingers crossed.

I am also very worried about work, long term, as I dont see how I can continue in such a high demand, physical environment, there is a lot of lifting and pushing trollies, and typing,etc, anyway one step at a time.

Just wanted to update this thread.