You may have some soreness for anywhere from
a few weeks to a few months after surgery
. Your bandage will stay on for 1-2 weeks. Your doctor may give you exercises to do during this time to move your fingers and keep them from getting too stiff.
Why does my hand still hurt after carpal tunnel surgery?
In the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, recovery periods are extremely variable. This is because damaged nerves have
slow and variable rates of regeneration
. While the recovering nerve regenerates, you may still feel symptoms in your fingers, even after surgery.
How long does nerve pain last after carpal tunnel surgery?
While the recovering nerve regenerates, you may still feel symptoms in your fingers, even after surgery. Most patients notice an improvement in their symptoms within the first few days, but some patients have ongoing symptoms for
up to 3 months
following surgery.
How long will my hand hurt after surgery?
This is usually
10 days after
your surgery. How do I cope with pain? Pain is normal after hand surgery. Your pain should start to feel a little better every day.
Can you overdo it after carpal tunnel surgery?
After the carpal tunnel incision has healed,
hand activity is not harmful to the recovery process
. Doing too much with the hands after surgery can be sore, but it does not cause long-lasting damage.
Can you damage your hand after carpal tunnel surgery?
The
majority of patients suffer no complications following carpal tunnel
release surgery. However some patients may suffer from pain, infections, scarring, and nerve damage causing weakness, paralysis, or loss of sensation and stiffness in the hand and wrist area.
What can go wrong after carpal tunnel surgery?
Other complications were hypertrophic scars,
dysesthesias
after multiple procedures to release the carpal tunnel, joint stiffness, failure to relieve symptoms, and neuromas of the dorsal sensory branch of the radial nerve
How long before you can use your hand after carpal tunnel surgery?
You can use your hand
lightly in the first 2 weeks
, but it helps to avoid too much strain. Slowly, you can get back to more normal activities, like: Driving (a couple of days after surgery) Writing (after a week, but expect 4-6 weeks before it feels easier.)
Why is my hand turning orange after surgery?
Povidone-iodine (PVP-I), also known
as iodopovidone, is an antiseptic used for skin disinfection before and after surgery. It may be used both to disinfect the hands of healthcare providers and the skin of the person they are caring for. It may also be used for minor wounds.
What can you not do after hand surgery?
After surgery, the better you take care of yourself—especially your hand—the sooner it will heal. Follow your surgeon's instructions. Try
not to bump your hand
, and don't move or lift anything while you're still wearing bandages, a splint, or a cast.
How long does it take to fully recover from carpal tunnel surgery?
The recovery from carpal tunnel surgery takes time – anywhere from
several weeks to several months
. If the nerve has been compressed for a long period of time, recovery may take even longer. Recovery involves splinting your wrist and getting physical therapy to strengthen and heal the wrist and hand.
How bad is the pain after carpal tunnel surgery?
Pain after carpal tunnel surgery is common. In fact, almost all patients experience some degree of pain in their first few days. But
persistent pain for several days to weeks in abnormal
. You should contact your doctor if this happens.
How can I strengthen my hands after carpal tunnel surgery?
- Extend your arm out in front of your, with your wrist flexed at a 90-degree angle.
- Using your other hand, gently pull your wrist back by your fingers.
- Hold this position for 10 to 30 seconds, repeating 5 times.
Should you wear a brace after carpal tunnel surgery?
Immediately after carpal tunnel surgery, patients will
wear a bandage and/or splint
to help stabilize the wrist after the procedure. Be sure to keep this bandage/splint on at all times to brace the wrist and aid in healing. Do not place any unnecessary stress or strain on the operated hand/wrist.
Does the ligament heal after carpal tunnel surgery?
Sometimes the ligament heals and reconnects after surgery
, but symptoms usually do not recur because the carpal tunnel heals with more space than it had before.
How do I stop my hands from going numb when I sleep?
Try a new sleeping position, particularly on your side.
Avoid laying on your arms under your pillow
, which can compress nerves. Make sure your wrists remain unflexed, since flexing can lead to tingling. If you often sleep on your back with your arms overhead, try keeping them next to you to reduce nerve pinching.
