Can You Injure Your Hand After Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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This lets the nerve pass freely through the tunnel without being squeezed. Your hand

will hurt

and may feel weak with some numbness. This usually goes away in a few days, but it may take several months.

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

Can you damage your hand 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.

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.

Can carpal tunnel cause long term damage?

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome could

lead to weakness, lack of coordination, and permanent nerve damage

. When carpal tunnel syndrome begins to disrupt your routine, make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor.

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.

What does Pillar pain feel like?

Most patients have

decreased hand numbness, no night-time hand tingling, and less pins and needles hand pain

. Many of my patients tell me that after surgery they were able to sleep well for the first time in months. However, surgical site pain can be a temporary problem for some patients.

How long will my hands hurt after carpal tunnel surgery?

Regardless of an endoscopic or open approach, some patients undergoing carpal tunnel surgery experience pillar pain. Pillar pain is postsurgical pain at the base of the hand on the palm side. It is considered normal for

the first 2-6 weeks after surgery

.

Should I move my fingers after carpal tunnel surgery?

After your surgery, you may be encouraged to do the following: Elevate your hand above your heart and move

your fingers

to reduce swelling and prevent stiffness. Ice the surgical site for a given amount of time, a few times a day. You may need to wear a splint or wrist brace for several weeks.

How Long Does your hand hurt after carpal tunnel surgery?

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.

How do you know if you have nerve damage from carpal tunnel?

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may include:

Numbness, tingling, burning, and pain

—primarily in the thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers. Occasional shock-like sensations that radiate to the thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers. Pain or tingling that may travel up the forearm toward the shoulder.

Is carpal tunnel a permanent disability?

While carpal tunnel syndrome itself is generally treatable, particularly if you seek medical care immediately. If you wait too long to treat CTS,

the damage to the median nerve may become permanent

.

How bad can carpal tunnel get?

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome could

lead to weakness, lack of coordination, and permanent nerve damage

. When carpal tunnel syndrome begins to disrupt your routine, make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. Taking action soon could mean avoiding nerve damage.

How can I strengthen my hands after carpal tunnel surgery?

  1. Extend your arm out in front of your, with your wrist flexed at a 90-degree angle.
  2. Using your other hand, gently pull your wrist back by your fingers.
  3. Hold this position for 10 to 30 seconds, repeating 5 times.

Do I need physical therapy after carpal tunnel surgery?

Following carpal tunnel release, the patient will have to wear a splint or bandage on the wrist for a period of two weeks. Our orthopedic doctor usually asks patients

to undergo physical therapy as soon as the stitches from the surgery are removed

.

Which surgery is better for carpal tunnel?


Open Carpal tunnel release (CTR)

has been considered the operative procedure of choice for decompression of the median nerve at the wrist in patients who have idiopathic CTS. Recently, there has been a trend to treat CTS by the endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.