Carpal tunnel surgery is the procedure to lessen the pressure of the median nerve to help alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It entails the cutting of tissue circling the wrist. The longer you have been dealing with symptoms, the harder it is to determine how successful the surgery will be or the recovery time.
Steps to Recovery
Immediately after the surgery, you might experience side effects of the anesthesia, such as shivering or nausea. To limit the swelling after the surgery, elevate your hand above your heart for at least the first week. Move your fingers as it helps the recovery process. You will be given finger and wrist exercises to ensure that the tendons and nerve tissues do not stay in one position.
As part of the discharge routine, you will be given wound care instructions as well as what the level of your activity should be, and if you can drive. The discharge papers will list symptoms that need medical care.
Expect to be in pain. The pain will be worse the first few days after the surgery and lessen by three weeks. When you leave the hospital, you will be given a prescription for pain medication.
Two weeks after the surgery will be your first visit with your doctor. Your stitches will be taken out and the level of your activities will be revisited. Rigorous activities will not be allowed for at least a month. You will get a new splint at this visit.
You may not lift more than 10 pounds for at least the first two months. As a marker, a gallon of milk weighs almost 9 pounds. Your scar may be painful for the first year. Massaging helps desensitize the nerves. Ask your doctor for exercises that will help to desensitize the nerves of your hand, such as nerve-gliding therapy exercises and self-help desensitizing. It may take up to a year before you have reached your peak improvement. According to the Mayo Clinic, most job leaves are for about a month, if you had open release surgery. If your job requires manual labor, do not expect to go back.
Getting Well
Be prepared to ask people for help while you are in the first month of the recovery stage. Have someone take you to the grocery store, or drive you on errands. Use your support system on days when you are feeling house-bound. Ice packs help with the swelling. Relax with meditative music, or with movies at home. Meditate to hasten healing. Laugh; it will assist healing. Eat foods high in protein to help tendon healing. Make sure you rest your hands. Avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol; they slow the healing process.
Tags: after surgery, will given, activities will, desensitize nerves, desensitize nerves your