Is carpal tunnel surgery difficult?

Carpal tunnel surgery is usually an outpatient procedure at Coastal Empire Orthopedics, which means you go home the same day. Our team uses a local anesthetic to numb your hand and wrist so you can't feel the procedure. Most carpal tunnel surgery procedures are short and take about 10 minutes.

How painful is it after carpal tunnel surgery?

Pain after carpal tunnel surgery is common. In fact, almost all patients experience some degree of pain in their first few days. But persistent pain for several days to weeks is abnormal. You should contact your doctor if this happens.

Is carpal tunnel surgery hard to recover from?

The recovery from carpal tunnel surgery takes time – anywhere from several weeks to several months. If the nerve has been compressed for a long period of time, recovery may take even longer. Recovery involves splinting your wrist and getting physical therapy to strengthen and heal the wrist and hand.

How long are you usually off with carpal tunnel surgery?

If you had open surgery on your dominant hand and you do repeated actions at work, you may be able to go back to work in 6 to 8 weeks. Repeated motions include typing or assembly-line work. If the surgery was on the other hand and you don't do repeated actions at work, you may be able to return to work in 7 to 14 days.

How many hours does carpal tunnel surgery take?

How long does carpal tunnel release surgery take? The surgery itself typically takes about 15 minutes. However, patients usually spend about 45 minutes in the operating room while equipment is set up and anesthesia administered.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery

What should I expect the day of carpal tunnel surgery?

Expect to have pain, swelling, and stiffness after the operation. Your doctor will let you know what medicines might help. You may have some soreness for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after surgery. Your bandage will stay on for 1-2 weeks.

How do you sleep after hand surgery?

The best way to do this comfortably is to lie flat on your back with your hand resting on a few pillows. Elevate your hand for at least three days after surgery.

How do you know if your carpal tunnel is severe?

But the general medical consensus it that "severe" means when carpal tunnel symptoms are so intense they interfere with almost every aspect of your life. That means: Symptoms are constant, with practically no rest from them. Most patients have lost significant finger dexterity and hand strength.

How do you shower after carpal tunnel surgery?

Once the surgical dressing is removed, keep the wound and your skin clean. Soap and water are an excellent skin cleanser, and it is OK to get everything wet in a shower with running water. Avoid immersing your wound under water until the sutures are removed.

What can go wrong with carpal tunnel surgery?

Summary. Carpal tunnel surgery is very safe and effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. However, as with any invasive treatment, there are risks to this procedure. Some of these include numbness and tingling, pillar pain, infection, and nerve injury.

How do you sleep after carpal tunnel surgery?

Your surgeon might teach you the “hand above elbow, elbow above heart” rule. When sleeping, it may help to use a large mound of pillows, either beside you or on your chest, to keep your hand and wrist in this elevated position.

Where do they cut you for carpal tunnel surgery?

A small surgical cut is made in the palm of your hand near your wrist. Next, the ligament that covers the carpal tunnel is cut. This eases the pressure on the median nerve. Sometimes, tissue around the nerve is removed as well.

What can you do 2 weeks after carpal tunnel surgery?

Weeks 2-4: Patients gradually resume activity in the affected hand. Return to work is based on the type of work required—patients with sedentary or desk jobs that don't require heavy lifting or labor can often return to work. Patients can expect gradually decreasing pain in the palm and soreness to touch.

Is carpal tunnel surgery a good idea?

Surgery may be a better choice if you've had very bad symptoms for a long time. Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome may give you only a little relief if your symptoms are caused by other health problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, or diabetes.

What are the pros and cons of carpal tunnel surgery?

Recovery is faster, aftercare is easier, and rehabilitation time is shorter. Moreover, there's much less post-surgical pain. When patients weigh all the pros and cons of endoscopic surgery for carpal tunnel surgery, they consider having less pain as the major "pro".

What can I do 3 weeks after carpal tunnel surgery?

allow the wound to heal. Now that you are 3 weeks post operatively, you should have most if not all of your range of motion back, but you will need to continue doing your tendon gliding exercises for at least the next 3 weeks, as your body continues to form scar. clean and dry before applying the scar pad each night.

Do you wear a cast after carpal tunnel surgery?

What happens after carpal tunnel surgery? After surgery, you can expect 3 weeks in a cast. During that time, you might experience some pain and stiffness. Once the cast is removed, expect 4-6 weeks of occupational therapy.

Can you drive home after carpal tunnel surgery?

Patients often feel pain or sensitivity in the affected wrist during the first few weeks following surgery. This sensation may affect the ability to drive safely. Waiting to drive for 10-14 days after carpal tunnel surgery allows plenty of time for the wound to heal and prevents stitches from coming loose.

How many stitches do you get for carpal tunnel surgery?

The method of open carpal tunnel release surgery requires the doctor to make a 2-3 inch long cut in your palm. The doctor then cuts the ligament holding your wrist bones together. This relieves internal pressure which helps to resolve symptoms. Then the cut is stitched closed with about a dozen sutures.

Can you claim disability for carpal tunnel syndrome?

If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, you may qualify for disability benefits if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your ability to work. These benefits may be provided by an insurance policy that offers coverage for both short and long-term disability benefits.

When should I get carpal tunnel surgery?

Surgery is usually only considered if symptoms return regularly and problems associated with the painful sensations increase despite trying other treatments such as splints or corticosteroid injections. In those cases surgery can provide better relief than repeat injections or splint treatments.

Is carpal tunnel a long term disability?

Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome A Disability? Yes-- carpal tunnel syndrome, in some cases, can lead to long term disability. The condition causes numbness, pain, tingling, and weakness in the hands and fingers, which can vary in severity from bothersome to debilitating.

How do you shower after hand surgery?

To take a shower safely: Before you shower, wrap your operated arm or hand in plastic (such as a plastic bag) to protect the area. Remove the plastic wrap after your shower. Keep the dressing on until it is taken off by your surgeon or the stitches have been removed.

Do I need a cast after hand surgery?

Depending on what is needed for your particular surgery, your surgeon may recommend that you return to the office after a few days for a dressing change or a change to a full cast. A cast is applied by wrapping fiberglass tape or plaster around your hand, wrist, or arm.

When can I drive after hand surgery?

Immediately After Hand Surgery

Even if your procedure was not outpatient, someone will have to drive you home from the hospital once you are discharged – and most hospitals and clinics now require that the driver be someone you personally know.