Surgery and plastic How long after carpal tunnel surgery can I use my hand?
Most patients who have carpal tunnel release regain full use of their hand, with full motion and return of strength within about 4 weeks after their surgery.
What can you do after carpal tunnel surgery?
After your surgery, you may be encouraged to do the following:
- Elevate your hand above your heart and move your fingers to reduce swelling and prevent stiffness.
- Ice the surgical site for a given amount of time, a few times a day.
- You may need to wear a splint or wrist brace for several weeks.
Can you damage your hand after carpal tunnel surgery?
Your hand will hurt and may feel weak with some numbness. This usually goes away in a few days, but it may take several months. Your doctor may remove the large bandage, or he or she will tell you when and how to remove it yourself. In some cases, you may have a splint.
What are the side effects of having carpal tunnel surgery?
Side-effects of carpal tunnel release surgery
- pain and discomfort along the cut on your hand.
- stiffness in your hand.
- swelling – keeping your hand up should help to reduce this.
- a noticeable scar that will gradually fade.
- your scar feeling tender after the operation – this usually settles down within a few months.
Should I wear a wrist brace after carpal tunnel surgery?
Immediately after carpal tunnel surgery, patients will wear a bandage and/or splint to help stabilize the wrist after the procedure. Be sure to keep this bandage/splint on at all times to brace the wrist and aid in healing. Do not place any unnecessary stress or strain on the operated hand/wrist.
Why does my hand still hurt after carpal tunnel surgery?
At three months following carpal tunnel surgery, your numbness and pain still could be byproducts of the procedure. Many people find the incision causes pain and irritation as it heals. In addition, a condition called ‘pillar pain,’ which is a localized reaction to the surgery, can lead to discomfort.
What does Pillar pain feel like?
It is defined as pain and tenderness localized to the prominences of the trapezial ridge, scaphoid tubercle, pisiform or hook of the hamate. Pillar pain has a reported incidence between 6 and 36% and has no known etiology or natural course. It has been noted to last about 4-6 months.
How do you know if your carpal tunnel is severe?
As carpal tunnel syndrome becomes more severe, you may have less grip strength because the muscles in your hand shrink. Pain and muscle cramping will also become worse. The median nerve begins to lose function because of the irritation or pressure around it.
How long does it take for nerves to heal after carpal tunnel surgery?
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.
What pain medication is given after carpal tunnel surgery?
Are often sold in a combination pill with acetaminophen (Tylenol). o Hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab) ▪ 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours as needed ▪ This medication requires the actual written prescription for any refill and cannot be called in. for any refill and cannot be called in.
Which surgery is better for carpal tunnel?
Discussion. Endoscopic surgery in carpal tunnel syndrome resulted in less postoperative pain in the scar and proximal palm and related limitation of activity than open surgery, but the differences were generally small.
Are carpal tunnel operations successful?
The recurrence rate after primary carpal tunnel release is approximately 2%. The success rate of surgery to relieve symptoms depends on the definition of “success” and the metrics applied. For example, with respect to alleviation of symptoms, up to 90% success is reported.