Anybody had carpal tunnel release done?

Question

I am awaiting surgery and just wanted to know if it is as reliable as i have been told.
Has anyone had worse problems after surgery? or is it as good as the specialist claims?
how long on average did you need off work for recovery?
Thanks people...

Answer 1

One of my friends has had both hands done.Her right hand is better than her left BUT she has use of both hands now.That was not the situation before the operations.You do need to do the physiotherapy that is reccomended my friend says.She does not regret having the operations done.I hope that counts.

Answer 2

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects more women than men, and the operation in the hands of a good surgeon has around a 75% success rate.

The wrists have a ligament that runs across them, often this ligament can thicken up, which compresses the nerves that run under it (the carpal tunnel). Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling which can often be worse at night. Occasionally medication such as amitriptyline can help with the pain, as can wearing a splint at night. It is important that the splint is not worn all the time as this will do more harm than good as wrist movement will be restricted leading to stiffness and more pain.

The only permanent chance of a cure is having carpal tunnel release surgery, which can be done as an open procedure with an incision to the base of the palm, or endoscopically (keyhole). Keyhole surgery enables patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome to have both hands done at the same time, the recovery time is a lot faster and the risks of wound infection are greatly decreased. It is done under general anaesthetic which obviously carries its own risks. If the open procedure is done, it is usually done under local anaesthetic which is less risky than general anaesthetic. Both procedures are usually done as a day case, unless you have any othe medical conditions which would require an overnight stay.

The hand and wrist will be bandaged although the fingers and thumb will be free, so some movement is possible while the stitches are in and the wound is healing. The stitches normally come out after ten days. Hand exercises are encouraged during this time to prevent stiffness - touching the thumb to each fingertip is a simple exercise that can be done a few times a day. The bandage will come off after a couple of days and a light dressing left in place - during the first couple of days it is important not to disturb the dressing, this will help wound healing get underway. Look out for signs of wound infection - increased pain, redness, inflammation and oozing are common signs and you should seek medical advice if you suspect infection. Avoid using perfumed soap/handwash until the wound is healed, as this can cause irritation. After a few days it is quite common to feel itching along the suture line, this is common and nothing to worry about.

The nature of your job will determine when you can go back to work, but you will need at least two weeks off initially regardless of the type of work you do.

Answer 3

I've had both wrists done. It is an easy surgery. From what I've heard, my recovery was less complicated than most. My wrist was splinted for a day, then that was removed, and I was left with two stitches. My restrictions were no pushing, no pulling, and no lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk (7#).
If you've had an EMG and been properly diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel, I wouldn't put off surgery. Permanent nerve damage can result.
Good luck with your recovery. As for time off - it depends on what you do for a living. I'm a nurse, so I was off 6 weeks for each wrist. I'm a craft-a-holic, so I had a great time during recovery.
Oh, just as an FYI - If you doctor suggest doing both wrists at the same time don't. Think about all the things you need a hand to do. Even for a day or two - it would be totally debilitating.

Answer 4

It is as reliable as you were told at least in the findings of the people I know who had it done. There are no worse problems after surgery reported in this area.
Orthopedic surgeons have a longer scar and full recovery takes longer.
Plastic surgeons leave a smaller scar and full recovery takes not as long. I wasn't even sent for physical therapy after mine.

People have been off work from 2-4 weeks. I was ordered off for 4.

Answer 5

I know people who have had that surgery and it did not help them.Please take this advice accupuncture!!! the feeling of carpal tunnel is not coming from where they tell you, it is its coming from your upper back.Believe me i have it in both hands and I had accupuncture done for 5 years and it makes all the symptoms disappear.I am gong to go back for accu. and alternative medicine because i have herniated discs.and osteoarthritis in my knees and all the people I know have told me their back surgery and knee surgery didnt help.I will try everything before I go under the knife.You should look into alternative relief.There is so much out there to learn.That carpal tunnel surgery is bs.I still have it i just manage it at night wear the hand braces when you sleep.The Chinese people are so intelligent when it comes to health read up on it.Once they release the tension in your upper back I bet your hands wont be no where as bad as they are now.and no accupunture does not hurt at all.You just need to find a good one.

Answer 6

I haven't had the surgery but my dad was suppose to have it done a long time ago and he started taking L-carnitine supplements from a health store, which improved the pain and now he hasn't had the surgery. Just a suggestion, you can always try it and see if it works for you

Answer 7

There are ways of dealing with carpal tunnel other than surgery. Please visit this link.
http://arthritis.about.com/od/carpal/ss/carpaltunnelqa_8.htm
Many people who have the surgery find that the scar that forms at the surgery site causes the same problem as the inflammation did.

Answer 8

My mum had this done and my auntie and both swear that it helped them. They had about 6 weeks off work due to the work that they do...(one works in a shop, the other is a cleaner).

If this has been suggested to you then I would go ahead and get it done, it is done as out patient and it is over before you know it.

Good luck

Answer 9

It's all good..the op is easy and the recovery time was quick. I was a couple of weeks feeling a bit incapable of stuff because my hand was all strapped up, but after that, I've had no problems.

Answer 10

Ask your doctor about an exercise routine. Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, may reduce neuropathy pain, improve your muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.