Accessing the ligament can be accomplished using either surgical technique. The technique your doctor uses greatly affects the length of your carpal tunnel surgery recovery time. When there are no complications and the outcome is good, patients are usually very pleased with their surgery. But as you can imagine, there's no guarantee such will be your results. And because of different outcomes, including poor recovery, complications, etc.
For the remainder of this discussion, let's assume your operation is uneventful and goes as planned. The following is what you can expect during your carpal tunnel surgery recovery time. Whichever type of surgery you have to cut your transverse carpal ligament, your hand will need to be stitched closed afterward. Then, as a final step in the operating room, the doctor applies thick protective bandages to your hand and wrist.
This is when you technically begin your carpal tunnel surgery recovery time. The recovery time is divided into 4 distinct stages:. Your immediate post-operative carpal tunnel surgery recovery time takes place in the recovery room. You'll be in there for 2 to 4 hours, assuming no complications. The amount of time you require there mostly depends on the type of anesthesia you were given.
With local anesthesia, your immediate post-surgical recovery time will be shorter than if you had general anesthesia. Also, if you had endoscopic surgery, your recovery room time will also be shorter.
The medical staff in the recovery room will monitor you for 5 important signs:. Within an hour your vital signs will stabilize as you fully recover your senses. General anesthesia will feel like coming out of a light sleep. With local anesthesia it simply feels like your hand and arm are numb. You'll remain in the recovery room until the staff is satisfied that you're alert, verbal, and responding to commands.
With no complications they will discharge you with home instructions. Note that you must be discharged to someone's care who can bring you home by car, private service or taxi. Public transportation is never allowed. When you arrive home you'll feel more comfortable as you start to settle in.
You may even believe your carpal tunnel surgery recovery time feels like "a walk in the park". But this feeling only lasts a few hours. The outcomes of open surgery and endoscopic surgery are similar, and for patients who are eligible to utilize wide-awake local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, recovery times and potential risks decrease. Wide-awake local anesthesia is surgery performed with only local anesthesia, allowing the patient to avoid grogginess, and even drive him or herself home after surgery, if necessary.
Recovery can look different depending on who you are and in what condition your median nerve is in before surgery. Age, health factors, and your ability to follow post-surgical care guidelines can all affect recovery times. James Verheyden, orthopedic surgeon at The Center. It is likely that surgery will improve your previous symptoms, but recovery can be gradual, and in some cases, can take up to one full year.
Other factors that can contribute to longer recovery times are preexisting conditions, such as arthritis or tendonitis, which could also be contributing to pain and stiffness. These include vacuuming, mowing the lawn, and gardening. You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it.
Keep your bandage dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover it. If you have a splint, keep it dry. Your doctor will tell you if you can remove it when you shower. Be careful not to put the splint on too tight. Do not take a bath until the incision heals, or until your doctor tells you it is okay. You may drive when you are fully able to use your hand. You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. He or she will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines. If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if and when to start taking it again. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. Take pain medicines exactly as directed. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, take an over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen Tylenol , ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , or naproxen Aleve.
Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen Tylenol can be harmful. If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach: Take your medicine after meals unless your doctor has told you not to. Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed.
Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics. Keep your bandage dry. If it gets dirty, you may change it. In carpal tunnel syndrome, your median nerve becomes compressed, typically causing tingling, numbness and pain in your hand.
Dividing the carpal ligament releases the pressure in your carpal tunnel and can ease your symptoms. You can access a range of treatments on a pay as you go basis, including physiotherapy.
Carpal tunnel release surgery is a day-case procedure. Carpal tunnel release surgery is usually done under local anaesthesia. You usually lie on your back for carpal tunnel release surgery, with your arm stretched out on a special operating board by your side. You may have a tourniquet placed around the top of your arm. A tourniquet is a tight cuff that stops blood flow in your arm during the operation.
Your surgeon will check whether the anaesthetic has taken effect before starting the operation. If you do feel any pain, tell your surgeon — occasionally the local anaesthetic may need topping up. There are two main ways in which carpal tunnel release surgery can be performed: open surgery and endoscopic keyhole surgery.
After a local anaesthetic, it may take several hours before the feeling comes back into your wrist and hand. Take special care not to bump or knock your hand, and be extra careful around anything hot such as kettles or radiators. You may feel tingling in your hand as the anaesthetic wears off and the feeling in your wrist and hand returns.
But you may need over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to ease any discomfort once the anaesthetic wears off. Your bandage will protect and support your hand, but you should still be able to wriggle your fingers. Keeping your arm elevated and wriggling your fingers regularly will help keep your blood flowing properly, and reduce any swelling and stiffness. Before you leave, your nurse will give you some advice about caring for your healing wound. You may be given a date for a follow-up appointment.
How long it takes to recover from carpal tunnel surgery varies from person to person, as everyone responds to surgery differently. But generally, most people have full power back in their hand between six and 12 weeks after surgery.
The cut on your hand may feel a bit sore for the first day or two. This should settle down, but you may continue to have some soreness or discomfort in your hand for some weeks afterwards. If you need pain relief during your recovery, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine, and ask your pharmacist for advice if you have any questions. This is usually around 10 to 14 days after your operation. It can help to wear a large rubber glove or plastic bag over your hand when your washing or bathing. You will have a noticeable scar that may look lumpy and pink at first, and feel tender.
This usually settles down within a few months. Massaging your scar and the area around it with a simple cream such as E45 can help in the meantime. You can use your hand for light tasks in the first couple of days after surgery, such as holding a glass or book, or gently using a computer keyboard. It can be painful or uncomfortable to grip at first, but this should return to normal between six and 12 weeks after your operation. Sometimes, your surgeon may refer you to a specialised physiotherapist, called a hand therapist, to help with your rehabilitation.
We have more information on exercises you can do to help your recovery in our FAQs below.
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