After being told by my surgeon that the pain and swelling 4 months after surgery is probably with me for good now I was given cause for optimism by my GP. Apparently it can take up to a year for inflammation to completely go and for swelling to subside. The fact that it is still slightly red where the incision was made means it hasn't healed completely yet.
I just wanted to share that in case anyone else has problems post surgery. I guess healing times are different for all of us but I feel more confident now that the pain will go.
Perfectly true but if you have not seen one ask for a referral to a specialist hand physiotherapist as this will help speed things up amongst other things
Thank you for that. I will see if that is possible.
If your Dr has not heard of them most hospitals have specialist hand clinics at which they work so get referred through there.
I am amazed your surgeon said such a thing. I am two months post op and have been having physio for the last two weeks which has definitely helped.
Great news for you and I'm happy for you too. My doctor told me after 6 months everything will be ok. But as far as today, my left hand can't hang a gallon of water and still pain, My surgery has 7 months already, almost 8 months. Hurts too much. My right hand is getting worse, but is too early, the surgery only has 5 months and counting. I can't cut even a salad or tomatoes, I have no straightening on my wrist
Sorry to hear that. Hopefully with time it will settle. My gap told me it can be quite common for it to take a long time to settle so there is hope I think. What my gp also said to do is wear a splint at night as we all tend to wriggle around and end up squashing our wrists. I have woken up with less immediate pain since doing this over the last few days though I expect it to take months before sorted. I am trying to have a positive approach to it now too. Good luck with it all.
Hi All, I'm day 4 after the operation on my right hand and although it generally feels good I have frequent sharp pains running up my middle fingers. Like hot wires that only last a second.
I can make a weak fist, but it's hollow inside the fingers, and my thumb can touch my first two fingers easily, but not the other two. A bit of numbmess in the ends of my fingers, but this comes and goes a bit.
I'm trusting time will heal everything, it's such a common operation; just worried that the surgeon cut a bit too much and severed nerves!!!!
Great to be able to chat to others in similar situations.
Hi Mark, it's early days yet and you'll probably experience a whole host of sensations (some painful) before the nerves all start settling down. From my own experience it takes longer than anticipated and progress is slow but it does get better in the end.
In my job I need strong hands and I was quite surprised when the Dr signed me off for 6 weeks!
I had my right hand done last Tuesday and think I have read to many things expecting to be pain free, but unable to grip. After an 8 hr delayed surgery which helped tremendously on the stress front :-) the local anaesthetic wouldn't take and had to keep being "topped up". I am getting pain still and a numb thumb ( lots of people said pain goes straight away) but an not sure how much grip I should have as most people say none but I can "grip" tiny things - scared to actually "pick it up" in case it hurts. I didn't expect the surgery / post op to hurt quite so much buy suppose everyone is different. I hope your hands start to improve soon x
Hi Rachel, mine was also done last Tuesday (18th Nov) in Stratford-on-Avon.
Local didn't work for me either, painful injection and my hand was numb but during operation had very painful "electric" shocks running down middle fingers.
After 24 hours my fingers felt great but occasional "electric" shocka were worrying; thought it was when I was stretching wrong....but even now still get them and in different positions so I can't believe it is just when I move in a particular place/way.
Ends of fingers are still numb but this comes and goes and is not painful.
Before the op. I only ever got pins and needles when cycling or driving and it was not painful as such....just numb really!
I am still hoping it will get better in time, I'm having the stitches out in another week. I have put the new dressing over these now.
Keep wriggling those fingers! I can now clench my fist so fingers touch my palm, but weakly....would not be able to punch!!!!!
Great to be able to chat to others like this.
Hi, i the same pain and swelling of my right hand had mine done 7 months ago to. Are u working because i carnt with a hand this bad, having my left hand done beginning of next year. My doc says same i might have it forever, the pains unreal sometimes .
its nice to hear i not along, hope we gonna pull though it 😊 let me know how u going on take care Andrea
Hi Andrea. ....sorry to hear your still having problems. .....I am a landscape gardener and need to be back ready to work in the spring / March. I am having my left hand done after Xmas too. I think the pain is horrible.....I just wasn't expecting to still have it after the op. ..although I suppose I need to give it more time. Perhaps you might be able to have some physio to help you? x
Hi
Tuesdays obviously a good day for cts surgery then !
I can get my thumb to "tough" my first two fingers but that's it. Making a loose fist is ok. ....its very achey till and pins / needles / buzzing I side but expect it will calm down. I am a landscape gardener, will be having my left hand done after Xmas but need both hands "working" at full strength by end of march.....think I will be doing lots of exercises with them.
My stitches are to come out next Tuesday. I worry about people / things bumping into my hand so seem to be very "protective " of it at the moment.
Not to worried about making fist - not intending to punch anyone whilst am out gardening :-)
I spoke to several people (including my mom) who had already had the operation and no-body mentioned pains afterwards, they all said it was simple operation and they wished they had had it sooner. I had no pain before op. just pins and needles after doing certain events (cycling/painting). These "electric" shocks feel like red hot wires poked inside my fingers and they come along when I don't expect them.
Otherwise I can type with all fingers, hold items, pick things up but I am careful with my whole arm and tend to hold it across my chest when walking or in a coat pocket.
I keep opening and closing fingers, making a fist, straigtening my fingers... but my inside palm is bruised and all hand is slightly puffy and swollen.
Thanks everyone for the continuation in how we all feel, whilst we are all different it's great to know we are in this together and it's likely to improve with time.
Mark
Hi all. I am now 17 days since surgery on Nov. 7th and I am fortunate that things are going well enough to not stop me from doing what I need to do. Stitches came out a week ago. I did notice today that near the scar I'm starting to develop some lumpiness and swelling which I assume is scar tissue so have started doing the scar massage that I found on line. My surgeon said that I did not to do the massaging and if there was a need she would recommend scar gel patches when she next sees me....which will be in two weeks because I'm having my right domiant hand done this coming Friday Nov. 28th. Hope I'm not crazy doing it so soon but really want to get this behind me. I'm and ESL teacher and need a good blackboard hand by January !
BTW....I've just started a group on Face Book called Carpal Tunnel Surgery Recovery. If you're on FB do come join the group!....easy to post pics, articles, links for info. etc . 
Early days yet Rachel! Bit by bit you will find each day you can do more. My surgeon said not to baby the hand so I do what I can with light things and if it hurts I stop and try again another day and am amazed how bingo I can do it !! It's ok to try and pick up something light...even if it hurts you will not be doing damage and will just listen to the hand and wait to do it again in a day or two. Rooting for you !!!
That's such great news Ali and encouraging to us all !! WTG !!
I also had no pain before surgery....but the pins and needles drove me crazy....as did the constantly dropping things 
When I first took off the big bandage after 48 hours I wore a brace at night to make sure my wrist didn't bend and when I went out to provide more protection to the palm area. Like you I was a bit apprehensive about the palm getting knocked. After a about a week of that and by the time I got my stitches out I no longer felt the need to do that. Hope things keep improving for you and its better as each day goes by ! Keep the faith !!