Carpal Tunnel Release Op?

[brackster]

hello, I've recently had a CT release done on my left hand and whilst I'm trying to use the hand as much as normal and can use it reasonably ok, the heel of my thumb/left hand side of the incision feels very tight, solid and painful and if (heaven forbid!) I was gonna try and do a press up for some reason, I just couldn't, as I can't lean on the hand at all with the palm flat - if anyone else has had this op, or knows what sort of recovery schedule is typical, could you let me know just so I know what's normal and what's not!!? .....especially as I'm due to have the right hand done tbc!

[spangle111]

Hi Brackster - I've had both hands done and one was fine but the other really painful for a time. Are your stitches still in because that can often cause the tightness. If your stitches are out then there could still be a little bit left in there. I had a stitch left in which got really painfull until I got it out - If you're not that brave the nurse at your local surgery would do it for you.

If its not that nip and see the doc just to rule out the chance of an infection. The typical recovery period is about 3 months and both of mine have been fine since. Hang in there love it gets better really quickly x

[sixpence]

brackster, be kind to yourself. Sounds to me as if you are not giving yourself time to heal. I,too,had both done at the same time, and also remember them not feeling right for sometime. I think spangle111 has given you some good advice.

[brackster]

hi guys - thnx for the answers!
yup stitches out 3 weeks ago, scar pretty much healed over completely - it's just the bit of the hand adjacent to the scar that's painful and frankly a bit 'lumpy' if that's the right word! With two big dogs I need both hands working fine!

[spangle111]

It could just be the tissue inside starting to heal - don't know if your surgeon told you much about what they do but they cut everything open to release the trapped nerves and then stitch the outside leaving the inside to heal on its own. I would get it checked to put your mind at rest but I wouldn't recommend holding dog leads for a while - I've got 3 staffys and can't imagine what the pain would be like with any of them tugging on my hand. Were you awake for the op as a matter of interest?

[brackster]

hiya spangle! No, I was under a general anaesthetic; the anaesthetist said it was my choice which I wanted, but the surgeon said general - I reckon he said this as he didn't want to have to talk to me and practice his bedside manner!! When I left after the op (same day of course!) I would say I was given zilch post op instructions or rehabilitation ideas, other than keep the arm up for several days!
I do hope I can use hand with dogs soon as knackered from walking one at a time - one's a GSD who pulls like a 10 tonne truck!

[spangle111]

I stayed awake for mine and the anesthetist and a nurse were laughing and joking with me the whole time. They told me to keep my sling on for 3 days but as soon as the bandages were off I was fine. Left hospital with a really good leaflet telling me what signs to look for in case anything went wrong etc. Can't really fault the treatment I got. Sounds like you got the short straw with yours love. If your hand doesn't strengthen up soon you could always consider investing in a skateboard and let them pull you along lol!

[brackster]

cheers Spangle! Thought of skateboard many times b4, but always worried about stopping!! Can I ask did ur leaflet mention anything about lumpy/tender bits if u can remember?! I've surfed the net but can't find anything that really talks about post op stuff unfortunately!

[spangle111]

Hi brackster, from what I remember if it is hot and red there is a chance you may have an infection. I know where the stitch was still in my hand it was really really painful until I dug it out and then it went more or less instantly.
If there is an infection go and see your doctor and get some anti-chaotics. Could be just healing - has it been like this since you had it done or has it just started to get sore? Have you had a hospital appointment yet? If not ask the consultant when you see him.
When I had my first one done I was bruised to the elbow but had no pain. The second one I had no bruising but more pain. I suppose eachone is different but at least I can feel the keys as I type this! Hang in there love you'll be walking your pooches together before you know it x

[brackster]

cheers again! It was horrendously painful after stitches came out, but that has diminished over last week until it now just aches when I've been using the hand quite a lot. I'm pretty sure it's not infected as not red etc, but not sure if the lumpiness is normal - I am off to see consultant 2morrow but only coz i said to the nurse when stitches came out 3 weeks ago how painful the hand was, as seeing consultant again is not their normal procedure! I'm sure it's normal healing ish but would have liked to know what to expect on the healing side a bit more thouroughly from them! Oh well, suppose I was lucky getting the op fairly quickly! ......luckily for me too that typing has not been affected by the op! phew!

[spangle111]

I seem to remember the heel of my thumb was quite hard and tender too - just the swelling dying down. How poor is the treatment you are getting too - don't let them fob you off - make sure they answer all your questions before you leave - Good Luck x

[larakitten]

hiya brackster........i feel your pain! I had my right hand done 4 weeks ago, and the wound and all down into my wrist is very painful. My palm too feels very tight, i couldnt do press-ups either!!! I have a lot of little lumps under the wounds, feels like small frozen peas.
Ive been back to see the consultant now 3 times, once as an urgent appt booked by my GP coz of the way its healing up.......but the consultant took it personally like i was critisising his work. I wasnt, i just wanted them to realise how painful it is, and how limited my movement has been since the op!

I was advised to buy something like E45 or Sudocrem and rub in into the wound and surrounding areas as often as possible coz it helps to break up the scar tissue that forms. Have to say, i think its working very slowly, but the most annoying thing is not being able to pick up a cup of tea!
Ive to have the left one done too, but am a bit wary at the moment seeing as the right is giving me so much grief!
lx

[brackster]

hi Lara - I suppose I should feel lucky that mine's not as bad as poor urs! I've been back today to consultant and he pretty much didn't say that it was normal healing or abnormal, so really helpful!
I have been using e45 pretty much every hr on the scar and I suppose it is helping a wee bit as I can hold a cup of tea! I would say that the first week after stitches out I thought I'd never be able to hold a cup again etc but it does seem to improve without you thinking about it!
Have to admit I'm worried about having RH done as I'm RHanded so using my left hand is pants!

[larakitten]

Glad to here E45 is working too for you....but i am so wary about my left hand. Im a violinist in my spare time and im scared about losing the dexterity in my left hand!

Think ill put it off till i see how the right heals over a couple of months.

Btw, do you have an idea how your carpal tunnel came about? Work, hobbies, something else? Mine is from my work they reckon, im on a PC all day but my mum has trouble with her hands too so i might as well blame her partially for this!!!

lar