Should I do occupational therapy post op?

Brain and nerves
1

Hi. I am less than two weeks post op from bilateral mini open carpal tunnel release surgery. No complications at all, in fact I feel brand new so far, except for incision pain that feels like razors going up and down my palms.  I Still have stitches in. Do I need to do post op therapy and if I should, when should I start?

2

Have you asked your surgeon?  Isn't that who should tell you what you need?  

3

Congratulations on doing so well. Has the night pain gone away. That made the post op. discomfort all worth while for me. 

In terms of exercise I found finger wriggling and thumb to each finger enough in the first days. I am a great believer in listening to your body, don't push too hard at first, remember the skin has been cut and needs time to heal.

when you stitches are out start massaging the scar pressing quite hard, this will do away with any hard lumps, any cream or oil will do. Also the nerve endings need re educating, apparently they forget their role when cut. That's how it was explained to me. Everything the scar touches 'goes through you'. I used cotton wool, toothbrush and a rough towel to run over the scar and it soon learnt its lesson!

i am 11 months post op. and delighted with the outcome.

hope this helps and you continue to make a good recovery.

best wishes Elaine

4

no not yet. 

5

Thanks for the tips. The doctors here tend to be very vague and quick so I find myself doing my own homework. Apparently physiotherapy isn't proven to help from what I have read. I don;t believe this tho. I do not have any carpal tunel symptoms anymore. It's very nice not to have numb hands anymore. I used to have symptoms very bad, like arm pain right through to my shoulders, and its all gone. It's great you als had a good outcome smile I can't wait to get back to work. I will update here when my stitches come out.

6

I guess my question should have been "has anyone found physiotherapy helpful for carpal tunnel post op, and if so, how soon did you start'?

7

I contacted the physiotherapists for advice and they gave the impression that CTR was a bit below them! Not serious enough. However my previous advice stands, take it gently, listen to your body but keep moving

Cheers Elaine

8

Wow. The physiotherapists here are more than happy to get the business. Advice taken, thank you smile

9

You obviously are not in the UK using our wonderful NHS!

Elaine