Hand surgery

[oosik]

Must be something new - when I had mine it was hand/wrist above the heart. Couple pillows on the arm of the recliner did the job back then. Ask the Dr what he suggests. Maybe there is some kind of strap device.

 

[MarkF48]

Left hand carpal surgery around 2008. Done as a hospital outpatient with general anesthesia per the doctor. Doc did recommend not doing both hands at the same time, otherwise the wife would not be a happy camper with some of the 'maintenance' in taking care of me. The doc did have a peculiar sense of humor. In the last year or so my right hand has been acting up with carpal symptoms and occasional trigger finger problems, but not bad enough yet I'm going to do anything about it.

Has anyone had physical therapy/exercise prescribed following carpal surgery? My own doc didn't suggest it, but I've heard a few people had done it.

 

[Bird]

Has anyone had physical therapy/exercise prescribed following carpal surgery? My own doc didn't suggest it, but I've heard a few people had done it.

Nope, doctor didn't mention it (thankfully). When I had mine done, they were done at the same "day surgery" clinic, but with different anesthesiologists. The first one did some kind of "block" (can't remember exactly what he called, but I was not asleep; just listened as he and the surgeon talked). The second one put me entirely to sleep.

 

[murph1]

Must be something new - when I had mine it was hand/wrist above the heart. Couple pillows on the arm of the recliner did the job back then. Ask the Dr what he suggests. Maybe there is some kind of strap device.

Thanks much Oosik you have been very helpful.

 

[mapper]

I have had both of my hands done many years ago. Recovery was fast, with very little discomfort. Was not able to do things such as wielding a screwdriver that applied pressure to the incision area for a year or so. The worst discomfort associated with the surgery was the nerve conductivity test done to determine if I needed the procedure, that was a bit brutal.
Each of my procedures was done by a different surgeon, but they both advised me to take it easy for a few days then to use my hand as much as possible as long as it was not too painful.
All things considered I found this to be an easy procedure to recover from and I got a lot of relief from it. I was actually looking forward to the second procedure because I knew how much better I would feel afterwards.
Like Ossik said, a couple of pillows to keep it elevated above your heart for a day or two until the swelling goes down. Wiggling your fingers as much as you can will also help to reduce the swelling.
Good luck with this, I'm sure that you will do fine.

 

[Dutch445]

Mapper and MarkF48 did you have open or endoscopic surgeries?

 

[MarkF48]

Mapper and MarkF48 did you have open or endoscopic surgeries?

Open. About a 2" incision from wrist up into center of palm.

 

[mapper]

Mapper and MarkF48 did you have open or endoscopic surgeries?

Open on both, the first one done about 1982 has a scar that starts an inch or so up my wrist and ends in th center of my palm. The later one about 1990, the scar starts at the heel of my palm to the center. Both were successful and recovery was similar.
Summer of 1979 I broke my arm shattering the end of the radius just behind the joint plate which was broken in two as well. The same orthopedic surgeon fixed the break and did the CT surgery. He felt that the fractured wrist contributed to the carpal tunnel problem " like I set a bomb off in the joint" according to him. Of course my job at that time was drawing contour maps so that may have also contributed as well.

 

[Dutch445]

thanks, glad it all worked out well for you guys,

Murph keep us up to date on your recovery next month, i'm sure you'll
heal fast and be glad it is all over so you can move forward

 

[murph1]

thanks, glad it all worked out well for you guys,

Murph keep us up to date on your recovery next month, i'm sure you'll
heal fast and be glad it is all over so you can move forward

Will do