I am scheduled for surgery in two weeks. Does the following description of recovery realistic ?
"When you get home the anesthesia will start to wear off and you may experience some discomfort in your palm or fingers. You probably would have been given a prescription for pain medication, and if you feel uncomfortable you should take it as needed. Keeping the arm elevated will help decrease swelling and decrease pain. Ice packs can be used to help decrease swelling and can also help with the pain.
Although there will be a bandage about your wrist, you should have full use of your fingers and should be able to use your hand for basic activities such as eating, dressing and using the computer. Dressings stay on for usually no more than a week, and stitches come out between the first and second week.
Two weeks after surgery you should be able to return to most of your activities except those that require direct pressure on the palm. By six weeks there should be no restrictions on your activities. However, it is not uncommon to feel a little bit of discomfort with more aggressive activities such as push-ups even up to 4 to 6 months after surgery."
That seems a pretty fair description for the first couple of weeks but I wasn't prepared for the pain in my hand after the two week point. I am over 4 weeks post op now and my palm is swollen and hard round the operation site. I feel stabbing pains and it is extremely sensitive to the touch. I didn't realise that it would take so long for the nerves to sort themselves out. I'm hoping it will improve a lot by the time I go back for my 6 week appt.
I had the carpel tunnel release done as endoscopic surgery. It is one tiny cut, or possibly two. Ihad the "one cut" type and by two weeks, when the bandage and the one stitch were removed, I was good to go. I had no pain and no problems. I don't understand why anyone would subject themselves to at least 6 weeks of "discomfort" as they call it, when there is a fine alternative.
Endoscopic surgery was not offered to me - I didn't know it was an option. Maybe it's not so widely done in the UK. My surgeon doesn't do it. I will look for another surgeon that does for my left hand. And you're right Nina - it's not "discomfort" - it's pain!
From what I've read here, endoscopic carpel tunnel release doesn't seem to be done in Canada. I would not accept open surgery unless they come up with a very good reason for it.
Thanks ladies. I am in Canada and my surgery will be done by a top plastic surgeon specializing in hand surgery in one of our best Toronto hospitals. I have done quite extensive research and indeed the endoscopic technique does not seem to be offered here. There was one doctor I found who does it but he is a cosmetic plastic surgeon and does it....amongst alot of other cosmetic surgeries...in his private surgery. Other than that, have not found anyone. I asked another top hand surgeon in another hospital about it and she also does not use that method. I do wonder why this is so here and in the UK when that method seems to be so prevalent in the U.S. I appreciate your replies and hope Hillary things sort themselves out for you. Have you done any physiotherapy or exercises as home? From my reading massage in area of scar is also necessary to keep scar tissue at bay.
My experience is with the open surgery; my surgeon said that it was better for dealing with severe carpal tunnel . . . I was not too uncomfortable the first two days but had a lot of pain the next two and then it wasn't bad at all. However, I could not use my hand at all for at least a week and am only now, two weeks after the surgery, able to use it for most things--it's still a bit stiff. I have been offered physical therapy but haven't had it yet.
Hi
it can take up to 48 hours for the local to wear off.i was worried after 24hours and rang to ask, thought my hand was to remain numb for ever !
I was told to remove the padded bandage after 2 days but I have heard of people being told to leave it on 2weeks.
I was told not to lift the dressing until I had thestitches out but when I rang to ask about exercises I was told to take the blood stained dressing off and apply a clean one.
i was told the stitches needed to be left for 2weeks but as I was going away I was told to see my GP on my last day at home and she could decide. It was day 9 and she took one look and called the nurse to remove them as it was well healed.
i flew to Dubai the next day and only covered the wound in sandy/dusty situations.
The scar was very sensitive and I was advised to reeducate the nerve endings that had been cut by stroking the scar with different textures.e.g. Cotton wool, rough towel, toothbrush, emery paper! it works brilliantly.
i am 6months on and still have occasional sharp unexpected pains, but they are getting less now.
there were times when I felt very down as the recovery seemed slow but it passes and the undisturbed nights make it all worth while.
dont be afraid of phoning the hospital with questions if you are unsure of anything. That's what they are there for and the more we ask the more likely they will provide better discharge leaflets.
i say this as a retired nurse and NHS manager.
hope you op. goes smoothly
regards Elaine
Thank you ejj and Elaine. Your replies are encouraging and information most helpful. I will be printing this thread to keep it handy for referral when I need the encouragement post surgery ! 
Thanks Rena. I have not been offered any advice re physiotherapy. All I have been told is to rub moisturiser into the area which I have been doing. I will ask about what else I can do when I have my 6 week appt. Hope all goes well with your procedure.
Its what happened to me more or less. Relatively easy.
Ive had several knee surgeries, several foot surgeries. CTS release is not painless.... but.....
I would do this any day of week instead of foot surgery.
Tre' sux.
Be over before you know it Rena.
Good to hear I actually just went through two foot surgeries this summer so I can relate to the comparison !
Just to update you all. Had the surgery on Friday afternoon. All went perfectly. Except for a couple of Advil when the freezing started to wear off about 2 hours after surgery have not needed any meds. Was able to do everything it says above. Took big bandage off this morning so can do even more now. Thanks again for your responses in this thread....they were very reassuring. Pic of incision attached.
Delighted to hear how well it went.
regards Elaine
i just had ct surgery today on rt hand. it is now almost 4 am in dallas and hand finally waking up. had ct 20 y rs ago also. had this done about 12 noon. fingers still asleep. hope i can tell when wake up if all now well and that was really ct.
All the best with your recovery! I'm now day 7 and am amazed how each day is so much better than the day before. My numbness and pins and needles are GONE . Will take more time to know if it also improved my dropping things. Recovery has been much easier so far than I thought it would be. ☺
Ive been having major surgeries since 1976. every three yeras i ithn it averages out to be. Medicine has been improving every trip i make. used to be medevil. I bet 20 years before even worse and 20 years from now even better.
Still, some expereiences are worse than others. Bettyer no surgery than any. But at least its available.
thanks for reply. had this ct surgery done wed and today is fri. my name is shirley in dallas. dr. office tells it may take 3 weeks to get well. does this sound rt? fingers still tingle!! Someone please reply.
It can take time to fully heal (the cut carpal ligament needs time to form the scar tissue joining it together again and to strengthen). But that does not mean you cannot use hand for most daily activities more and more each day. It's really important to do whatever exercises they give you. There is huge difference in just one week I am happy to say! Wishing you happy healing !
The carpal ligament that is cut does not join back together. It pops open when cut and the open area is filled with scar tissue. I don't know how long it takes for the scar tissue to complete forming. It wasn't anything I was ever aware of.