What does a doctor do during carpal tunnel surgery?

The camera guides your doctor as he or she inserts the instruments and cuts the carpal ligament through the other incision. The surgeon will stitch up the incision or incisions. Your hand and wrist will be placed in a splint or bandaged heavily to keep you from moving your wrist.

When should I call the doctor after carpal tunnel surgery?

Call your doctor if your pain gets worse or changes in any way because it may be a sign of a complication. When should I call my doctor? It is important to keep your follow-up appointments after carpal tunnel release. Follow up with physical therapy and occupational therapy as directed.

How long before you can use your hand after carpal tunnel surgery?

You can use your hand lightly in the first 2 weeks, but it helps to avoid too much strain. Slowly, you can get back to more normal activities, like: Driving (a couple of days after surgery) Writing (after a week, but expect 4-6 weeks before it feels easier.)

How much time do you need off work after 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.

What should I avoid after carpal tunnel surgery?

Avoid or limit repetitive activities like typing for about a week to keep from creating swelling that will prolong discomfort. Limit yourself to lifting with the operative hand for a few days or so until it becomes more comfortable.

Can carpal tunnel surgery go wrong?

Other complications were hypertrophic scars, dysesthesias after multiple procedures to release the carpal tunnel, joint stiffness, failure to relieve symptoms, and neuromas of the dorsal sensory branch of the radial nerve. All of these complications are potentially preventable.

What kind of surgery is needed for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel surgery, also known as carpal tunnel release (CTR) or carpal tunnel decompression surgery, is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs when one of the major nerves in the wrist becomes pinched, causing numbness, tingling, and shooting pain in the fingers as well as general weakness of the hand muscles. 1

How to take care of your hand after carpal tunnel surgery?

Take precautions to avoid bumping or banging your hand into things. Even while you hand is in bandages, a light bang can easily rip your stitches open. Then you have to go back to the doctor and start the aftercare clock from the beginning. Also, be sure to elevate your hand as often as you can.

Which is the best doctor to see for carpal tunnel?

Doctors who rely solely on electrodiagnostic testing (EMG) for carpal tunnel syndrome are gravely mistaken. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, in a large percentage of cases, EMG tests are not reliable. That means the best diagnosis comes from the knowledge and experience.

How long does it take to heal a carpal tunnel scar?

A sensitive scar 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 to deal with pain after carpal tunnel surgery?

You’ll probably have pain in your hand and wrist after surgery. It’s usually controlled with pain medicines taken by mouth. The surgeon may also have you keep the affected hand elevated while sleeping at night to help decrease swelling.

When to see a doctor for carpal tunnel?

Call your doctor right away if you have fever, numbness, tingling, more swelling than expected, or increased pain. These could be signs of a complication. Scar pain and persistent weakness can also occur. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms are not going away or return after your wrist heals.

What should I wear after carpal tunnel surgery?

Wear a loose fitting rubber glove (most people prefer a plastic trash bag) on your hand and arm when showering. A crucial part of immediate aftercare for carpal tunnel surgery is pain management. There will be pain, but your doctor will have given you a prescription for pain medication for the first week.