Carpal Tunnel Op

[johnk]

At last I have a date for a carpal tunnel op, does anyone know how long it will take before I can cycle, row and weight train?

[retrocop]

This is a little info I found. I reckon I might need that surgery on both my wrists. :-(

1st info was from N.Z
2nd info University of Illinois





//Recovery
Generally speaking, carpal tunnel release is very successful surgery with a reliable
outcome if pain is your only symptom. If there has been a long standing compression
of the nerve with altered nerve function (numbness or weakness) your recovery may
not be fully guaranteed. In these instances return of function is largely determined by
the degree of compression and for how long the nerve was compressed.
Work
Your return to work will be largely determined by what you do with your hands at your
place of work and whether the operation was to your dominant hand. A return to
clerical duties can occur within days of surgery whereas it can be several weeks before
returning to a manual job. Full strength and dexterity will not return until 3-6 months
after surgery.//


//Post-Operative Instructions for Carpal Tunnel Release
You may remove your surgical bandage after 2 days. However, you must keep the incision dry
until the sutures are removed at your follow-up doctor’s appointment. You can use water
proof Band-Aids to keep your incision dry. When you are done showering, remove the
waterproof Band-Aid. If you still wish to cover your incision, you can use a regular Band-Aid. It
is okay to leave your incision open to the air when not showering. Do not use ointments of any
kinds.
Your follow-up appointment for suture removal will be scheduled for you— you will receive this
date at the time of your surgery. You also may be scheduled for Occupational Therapy if
needed. Two days after your sutures are removed, if the skin is completely closed, you will
need to start massaging the scar. You will place your finger on the scar, and maintaining
pressure move your finger in circles, diagonals, up and down, and side to side. Do this all along
the length of the scar. Do not rub the skin, move the skin.
It is common to have post-operative pain. You may wrap a bag of frozen peas or crushed ice in
a thin towel and place on your incision for 15 minutes of every hour while you are awake.
Elevating your hand above heart level on several pillows will also help with post-operative pain.
You should take the prescribed medication only as needed and as prescribed. If you are having
increased pain, you may take an anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve
with your pain medication.
You will get a removable splint, if you do not already have one, which should be worn only in
public or during moderate to heavy activity to protect the incision. However, during most of
the day you do not need to wear the splint.
You can use your hand to dress yourself, comb your hair, and do self-care activities immediately
after surgery, as tolerated. You can do light work such as typing and using the telephone the
day following surgery. It will take 4 to 6 weeks before you can perform strenuous work.
You can start the exercises provided or Occupational Therapy on the 2
nd or 3rd day after
surgery. Expect to spend 7 to 10 minutes doing your exercises//

[retrocop]

This is a long but very informative article from a patient who has endured the procedure in both wrists. No heavy lifting for some time so the weights are out the window.It actually says nothing over 1lb to be attempted for a while. The relevant stuff you want to know is nearly at the end.



https://patientslounge.com/procedures/What-To-Expect-After-Carpal-Tunnel-Surgery

[Sqad]

"Cycle, row and weight train?"

If all goes well....12 weeks.

[johnk]

Thanks for the info everyone but now I'm really fed up as I've just been getting back to normal after 3 months out due to to a fractured collar bone and hip but at least I can walk this time.

Squad is that 12 weeks for everything or could I get back to any one of my activities earlier?
For now I'm planning on walking after the op to try and keep some fitness

[Sqad]

I would concentrate on the cycling for now.
The rowing and weight lifting would, in my opinion be a no no ....both activities are heavy on the wrist.

[johnk]

Thanks Squad, could I cycle within a couple of weeks?

[alavahalf]

Any idea on what caused the injury in the first place ?

[Sqad]

Yes johnk...............give it a go.

[johnk]

Thanks Squad.
Alav I don't know what caused but it's been getting worse for about 2 years, it might have been the bike as that's when it was worse with pins and needles so severe it was painful to change gear!

[alavahalf]

When I seen your hobbies my immediate thought was the similarities between you and a friend of mine who is having both wrists operated on for carpal tunnel .. he had one done this week and will have the other done after the first recovers.
He happens to go to the gym 5 night a week .. weightlifting ! .. his other interest is cycling on saturday and sunday ! It just seems to be a coincidence that you both have similar interests and similar injuries.
If you think that cycling aggrevates it, surely it might be time to give training a break for a while and give your wrist a chance to mend ?

[cassa333]

I was off work four weeks when I had one done and five weeks for the other..... but that’s because I wanted to blag an extra week off.

Tbh it has been a year and I still can’t put excessive weight on them. Ie: push a pump button .

If you are seriously into weights and stuff you might be able to strengthen your wrist more easily but be very careful not to over do it too early.

[johnk]

I think I will give it more time after reading your posts.
Alav can you keep me informed of how your friend is doing, it would help to learn from the experience of someone with similar activities. my weights are small as I'm weight training rather than weight lifting, the weights I use will be 20-25 kg.
Thanks
John

[Theland]

Dad had this in his seventies.
He asked the doctor if he would be able to play the piano afterwards and the doctor said Yes.
Dad said, great, never been able to play one before.

[alavahalf]

Update as requested john .. my friend was back at work within 7 days of operation. He has refrained from getting involved in any heavy lifting. But all week he has trained in the gym .. cycling and time spent on the running machine.
He says he wont think about weights until the other wrist is done next year.
Seven days after the op he said it was a bit tender, but no big isssue.

[johnk]

Thanks Alav, that's encouraging. Please keep me informed of any further progress especially lifting heavy stuff.
Cheers
John

[DTCwordfan]

Good luck if you get a mate of mine doing it...he's one of the UK's top wrist surgeons...works out of St Thomas's and surrounding hossies in London.

[johnk]

I'm in Cheshire so unlikely to see him.

[alavahalf]

Update for johnk as requested .. my mate who had the Carpal Tunnel surgery on both wrists back in December has started weight lifting again, approximately 5/6 weeks after the first operation.
He said he is just keeping it light to start with .. so only took it too 100kg on his first session !

I can easily lift a 100kg ... as long as I have a forklift !

[johnk]

Thanks Alav, 100kg to start!!!! What does he lift when he's up to speed? I hope it went well for him.
My op was postponed and I'm still waiting for a date.
Keep me updated with how your friend gets on
Cheers
John

[johnk]

Question Author
Thanks Alav, 100kg to start!!!! What does he lift when he's up to speed? I hope it went well for him.
My op was postponed and I'm still waiting for a date.
Keep me updated with how your friend gets on
Cheers
John