Carpal tunnel release

Posted by bernese53 @bernese53, Apr 24, 2017

I am not sure where a discussion on carpal tunnel syndrome belongs so I am starting here. I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists in January after thinking the numbness and tingling in my fingers was from diabetic neuropathy...not so much! I am scheduled to have carpal tunnel release surgery at Mayo in Rochester...Dr. Brian Carlson is my surgeon. He made it sound pretty routine but I am getting anxious about the surgery (scheduled for May 5). Has anyone had carpal tunnel release surgery? What was your experience like? How much pain, if any, did you experience following the surgery? How long did it take before you could drive? Before you could use the hand in everyday activities? Any and all answers are appreciated. Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

Hola Qué tipo de diabetes tiene y cuántos años la padece? Yo te go diabetes 1 y la te go desde niña Ya son 42 años Pero a mis 28 comencé con dolores en la mucheca que creí eran un tema de túnel caroeano Me dolía mucho no podía ni agarrar el jarro del café para desayunar No podía en el trabajo agarrar bibliotatis con esa mano Se tía vidrios clavándose en mis articulaciones Pensé en operarme y el traumatókogo me dijo andá a este kinesiólogo que es buenisimo! Y se me pasó con ese kine! Con imanes calor infrarrojo y electrodos Luego pasaron unos años y lo mismo me aoareció en la mano derecha Pero no me asusté tanto Y otra vez fui al kinesiólogo Ahora unos ,30 años después del primer suceso me aparece un dolor muy grande en la muñeca izquierda En está ocasión hasta parece haber un pequeño sobre hueso en la muñeca El dedo gordo se pone otra vez en " resorte" Cada vez que un dedo por lo que sea( ej un corte en la piel sobre la articulación de la falange) se queda rígido para cicatrizar algo. El dedo que sea desarrolla esto de resorte Pero se va pasando solo,! Lo importante es apenas se pueda doblarlo aunque duela y eso hace que el dolor vaya pasando y el dedo se recupera Ahora mí muñeca está un 50% mejor y el dedo también Hiciste kinesiología a tés de decidir operarte? El traumatólogo en su momento me había dicho es por la diabetes y aunque te operé o te haga simplemente una infiltración esto puede volver muchas veces. Sos te indicaron cirujía no te gas miedo!! Pero si no hiciste antes una buena Kinesiología quizá te estés apurando. Una muñequera con félula puesta durante toda la noche por unos 15 días puede ser una gran solución ,tal vez al dormir pones tus manos metidas asia adentro como un bese en posición fetal duermes,,? Eso a mí me hizo supera este tema. Kinesiólogo Muñequera y paciencia con movimiento de los dedos No de la muñeca. Por favor cué tantos cómo te va en la cirujía si la realizas!,! Todo saldrá bien! Tu ánimo y positividad son un gran aliado a la hora de superar situaciones médicas! No te hagas boicot a ti mismo! No tengas miedo! Suerte!!

REPLY

I am scheduled to have a nerve test this week as my surgeon from my ORIF of the right wrist thinks i may have developed carpal tunnel. I had the surgery for a broken wrist on July 30 of this year. It has healed well with OT except for slight numbness in two fingers of that hand. He told me they often do carpal tunnel release in conjunction with the wrist surgery but he didn’t see signs of carpal tunnel during my surgery. He also told me carpal tunnel often develops after the wrist surgery. i am hoping the nerve test will show i don’t have carpal tunnel. The OT told me that my activities will be limited for 2 weeks after surgery and i will need more therapy. I am just back into my exercise routine .I am going to check out the Johns Hopkins info.

REPLY

I had carpal tunnel release surgery when I was around 65. I'm 83 now .I had no problems recovering and the problem was solved.

REPLY

I had it years ago, there was no pain to speak of and my hand was in a cast so you could drive right away. As fr as PT, I did not have more than a few says and just used it as normal after that. It is really no big deal.

REPLY
@comeback

Hi!

I'm a violin teacher who had carpal tunnel release surgery just 12 days ago, on my right (dominant) hand. It's also my bow hand. I'm just starting to type a bit with both hands again.

My left hand is probably in worse shape than my right was, but I was too scared to start with my violin hand.

Tomorrow I believe the sutures will come out. I'm just hoping I did the right thing getting this surgery.

Jump to this post

Good morning!! What kind of a doctor are you using? I have appointment tomorrow with Orthopedic Hand Specialist. I know I have CTS in both hands but so much worse in my right. At first I thought it was from my Reynauds and my Erosive osteoarthritis in both hands but last 6 weeks or so it’s gotten so much worse. I have Lupus, MCTD. I don’t even want to go to bed at night because that’s when it all comes unraveled and the pain starts. Ended up at Urgent Care Saturday morning because I had not slept in two nights. Dr increased my Gabapentin, gave me muscle relaxers and pain killers for a couple days and a shot. This is making my life miserable. But I was just curious on which doctor you are using.
Thank you and good luck with your recovery!❤️‍🩹

REPLY
@callieb1102

Good morning!! What kind of a doctor are you using? I have appointment tomorrow with Orthopedic Hand Specialist. I know I have CTS in both hands but so much worse in my right. At first I thought it was from my Reynauds and my Erosive osteoarthritis in both hands but last 6 weeks or so it’s gotten so much worse. I have Lupus, MCTD. I don’t even want to go to bed at night because that’s when it all comes unraveled and the pain starts. Ended up at Urgent Care Saturday morning because I had not slept in two nights. Dr increased my Gabapentin, gave me muscle relaxers and pain killers for a couple days and a shot. This is making my life miserable. But I was just curious on which doctor you are using.
Thank you and good luck with your recovery!❤️‍🩹

Jump to this post

Hi, Callie,

I'm so sorry to hear about the pain you're going through.

I had CT release surgery on my right hand/wrist this past April, and on my left in late June. Both were done by the same orthopedic hand surgeon. I've had good results from both, although I still have some minor pain and sensitivity around the incision sites.

It's important to work with an occupational therapist, too, as there are exercises that will help you.

Wishing you the best of health!

REPLY

I had carpal tunnel release surgery 2 days ago. My doctor gave me the option of sedation or a local anesthetic . I chose a local. I was in and out of the surgery center quickly. The most painful part was when he injected the numbing medicine. Procedure went smoothly. I could have driven myself home, but my husband came with me. I am in a thick heavy bandage for 6 days. They were going to have me remove it at home, but i requested to have the OT do it. That is who removed my bandage after ORIF. Most of the numbness is gone. I will see the surgeon 2 weeks post op to have stitches removed.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.