I had my surgery carpal tunnel syndrome 7 weeks ago on my dominant right hand. My job requires alot of manual handling with adults with learning difficulties and pushing of heavy wheelchairs therefore I am still off work. I am in constant pain and scar area is solid and tender feels lumpy. I started physio exercises 2 weeks ago and hadnt really done much before that except wiggle fingers as I had not been given any advice at all post op. 2 weeks ago I couldnt even make a fist or reach my thumb to each finger, now I can make a fist and touch all finders and am using it normally but with alot of pain, more so at night and shooting pains, my grip is extremley poor which worries me after this length of time. I am scheduled to have my left one done in around 6-8 weeks but I am now considering cancelling as I worry constantly that this will not resume to 100% mobility. Has anyone had this problem after this length of time? and did it improve up to 12 weeks post op? any reply would be appreciated.
Hi Pamela
i am 13 weeks post op and still have unexpected sharp pain occasionally. There is no rhyme nor reason to the pain but it does get less.
with regards the lumpiness, if it is still pink massage is supposed to help. If it is not too painful really press into the lumps with one finger in circular movements, any hand cream will make it better. Are you free of the pins and needles? I am and keep reminding myself how awful it was being woken every night with pain.
i understand it can take months for the nerves to repair and also to learn their job again. I was advised to speed up this process by using different stimuli. E.g. Cotton wool, toothbrush, rough towel. Just run these over the scar and let the nerves have regular experiences.
hope some of this helps
best wishes Elainne
Hi pamela
I had my surgery almost 5 weeks ago. My scar is taking a while to heal. Puffy, sore and still sometimes hand swells. I am at work but cannot use it at work for another 2 weeks. Anything work related is repetitive which is a big no no. Then gradual addition to use hand. I am encouraged to use it for everyday though and I notice improvement everyday.
I cannot touch my thumb to all fingers yet but have my physio exercises that I do frequently. Don't be discuraged. Everyone heals diferrently. One you get your mobility back then you will have strengthening exercises. I still sleep with a wrist support at night to ensure that I'm not bending it improperly.
Hope this helps.. Don't Force it too quickly you don't want to hurt it. Its a slow process. .
Hi Pamela
I had my op 11 months ago. Please hang on in there! Your strength will get better as time goes on. It took me several months to be able to pick my shopping up. I used Bio Oil and rubbed it into the scar and now it has almost gone. Massage your neck, shoulder and arm every day. Have a look on YouTube for details about this. The tingling will get better, but give it a chance. Exercise your fingers, but don't try and over do things. Do be patient with yourself.
Hello Pamela,
Just a quick note I had surgery on both hands 1year ago and my fingers are still numb, dr. wants to do a different surgery as 2nd nerve test showed no improvement on left hand and right hand got worse. I would wait if I were you. I wish I never had this done at all. God bless and good luck.
Hi Pamela
I had carpel tunnel surgery almost 4 weeks ago swelling only just gone down still cant do much with my hand still have pain worried as im a care assistant my job is phyiscal like yours dont know when will be able to go back so fed up wished hadnt had it done now had to go back to the drs was told should have been doing exerises hospital never told me feel so let down definatly not going to have other one done wish u lots of luck.
Best wishes
Lisa
Lisa, It has been one year since my surgery on both hands at the same time and my hands are still numb,dr. wants to do 2nd surgery I talked with him and told him no. I myself believe you need to look on line for exercise to do for your hands, but don't overdue it, buy vitiam E capules and open them and massage your scars, but they must be completely healed. I am giving my hands another year to get better and I am praying for Gods'Healing for myself and all those dealing with this.
Hi Joan
Bless you i really hope things get better for you, thank you for your advise i just wish they had told me about the exercises in the first place but like you have looked them up on the web just so worried to when i can get back to work i hope we all manage to conquer this for such a little op the after part is awful xx
Hi Lisa
I am now post op 9 weeks and still struggling with pain and some swelling, I can use it almost normally but really aches during and after driving and evening are worse with the pain! I was the same as you no advice about exercise until I saw my surgeon at post op 5 weeks , I then started Physio immediately and continue intensive exercise ! When I wake in the morn I cannot close my hand and have to prise it closed to get it moving again !! I am giving it 2 more weeks and if I'm still not happy with my recovery I will be seeing the surgeon again! I should be having left one done in 2 months but I am going to cancel. This has not been a good outcome for me at present. I hope things improve for you but if you worried go back . Good luck .
Regards Pam
Hi Pamela,
Bless you iam regretting having this done! i think its awful how no advise is given untill weeks after the op delaying reablement. I really hope things improve for you soon i go back in a couple of weeks to see the consultant im hoping things have improved by then scar is so sore again and now have a blister appeared on it im still not driving which is frustrating not enough grip yet. I really hope things work out for you all the best.
Best wishes
lisa x
I know you are suffering but try and remember how dibilitating it was before the surgery. I'm sure you will heal in time. I will be honest, I have had both hands done and didn't have any pain or swelling after. I also received plenty of information and saw the surgeon every week for six weeks after. It was honestly the best thing I ever did. It does sound like a lack of information is a major problem, can you not contact the hospital/ surgery where it was done and ask them questions? I really hope things improve soon.
My case is similar to yours. I am also right handed. I had my surgery June 2013 and still suffering with pain. It will take a little longer to get your fingers moving but continue to do so. I can no longer work because of my surgery. Make sure you keep your hand elevated, this will help some. Hold off on your left hand for now. Hopefully, your doc is better than the one I had.
I now have RSD (nerve damage). I wish you all the best with your recovery.
Hi Pamela, I was just wondering how your recovery is going now? It's been over 7 weeks since I had surgery and I'm still struggling with constant pain and hoping it will subside soon!
Hi Lynne, I was discharged from my Physio this week but to continue with massage on the hard lump , my hand still very stiff on waking and have to manipulate it closed to get it going . The pain has subsided now , I think overall it's taken over 3 months to get to this stage so give yourself another 6 weeks but keep exercising and massaging . Iv taken up swimming and this gas helped my hand a lot. Good luck
Regards Pamela
Thanks Pamela, how long did you have off work? I'm signed off until 1st October and the doctor wants to see me again then to reassess. Although I work in a bank it involves a lot of heavy lifting and using machinery and as I can't even brush my teeth without pain I don't think I'll be much use while I'm there! I'm going on holiday next week so I shall do some swimming while I'm there!
regards Lynne
hello i had my surgery 11/19/14 had the stitches removed 12/01/14, i have had shooting pains in my hand for several days and swollen fingers my index finger hurts the worst, my doctor prescribe me meds for the swelling, today 12/03 it is still sort of swollen i can make a half fist, but my fingers are still numb to the touch. i was told just to exercise the fingers and use vitamin E oil to the palm of hand. i am praying my hand gets back to 100% but i have been told that will not happen. i also ride a harley and they have told me that was some that added to my problem. i am hoping to get back on my HD by march. prayers to all that have had this surgery.
Hi nancy
Please don't be disheartened it's very early days I felt exactly the same even 8 weeks post op!! I said I'm sorry I had it done, but I'm 6 months post op now and even though my hand is very stiff in the mornings I am no longer suffering with the awful burning and numbness that always kept me awake ! I am now suffering the same with left hand and will be having surgery on 20 jan 2015. It's important to exercise your hand I wasn't told about exercises until I was 6 weeks post op and then had hand therapy but think if I knew about this sooner my hand would have recovered quicker and better and I may not have had this stiffness I have now ! Good luck and make sure you rub cream E45 was recommended by my physio into the scar regularly to prevent scar tissue developing.
Regards Pam
Hi Nancy
hope you don't mind me butting into you posts to ask a question.
Is your numbness the same as before your surgery or have you found any different degrees of numbness pre and post surgery?
I've also just had carpol surgery (only 36 hrs) and experiencing complete numbness in my index and middle fingers which I only had temporary pre surgery and which a good shake of the hand would release,also I have good movement in my fingers and not really a lot of pain.
the reason I picked your post is I also ride motorcycles the main reason for my op and I've found myself lay here at 3 in the morning worrying and seeking answers.
so basically have you spoken to your surgeon about your symptoms and can you feel your numbness changing at all?
and do you think I'm expecting to much to soon.
i was expecting pain but not complete deadness.
kind regards
craig
craig, today my scar is like rough hard skin. i still am having some minor shooting pains near my wrist my fingers are still fat feeling. just took the last steriod pill.. my sympton was moderate to severe closer to severe.. dr abby said i would probably always have the numb feeling in my finger tips. i can't touch my pinky to my thumb yet... and i sleep with my brace on at night. also, feel like i dont have as much strength in my hand as i did.. but, was told keep exercising it.. hope, you are doing better.
Hi All....it is 4.5 weeks for me on the left hand and 10 days on the right hand. My pre-op pins and needles cleared up immediately as a result of the surgery in each of the hands, but the numbness in the finger tips of the worse hand did not as tested at the 10 day stitch removal appointment (tested with that two prong thingie they use)j. Am back to the surgeon tomorrow for stitch removal in my right hand and will see what's what then. We are a new group on Facebook (now up to 45 members in just two weeks). It's a closed group so just ask to join. Comments are not seen by the public...only by group members. We share experiences, pictures, advice etc. The group is called Carpal Tunnel Surgery Recovery...hope to see you all over there.