Carpel Tunnel Surgery

[Duck]

I have been putting off carpel tunnel surgery for over one year by using a brace at night but lately it has been getting a little worse. Has anybody had this procedure done and how was the recovery?
Don

[wannavolunteerF]

my daughter is an OT and said it takes a very skilled surgeon to do a good job on hands, and that she would only consider a specialist with lots of practice and good referrals. Lots of nerves, ligaments, bones in a hand.. It is a very complex place to have some one possibly make a slip.

[martipr]

Had both sides done (one at a time)in 1983 by a plastic surgeon. Never had a minutes pain to this day. Supposedly the techniques have changed considerably in 31 years but I'm not so sure for the good. I know of several people who have had it done in the past 5 years or so and have had problems.

[Duck]

The following site, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19499849, has some interesting information using ALP and GLA acid on carpel tunnel before agreeing to have the surgery.
Don

[bsinmich]

I had it done on one hand and my SIL also had his on both hands. My only suggestion is; If you live in a cold part of the country don't do it in the winter. Cold really bothered for about 6 mo. I don't like to wear gloves normally but I did that year.

[Scottiemom]

My husband had problems with both hands, saw the specialist, did the tests, said he had to have surgery on both hands. I asked what would happen if he didn't. He said they will only get worse and eventually he wouldn't be able to stand the pain.

Cardio wouldn't clear him for surgery. Family doc prescribed braces. He wore them day/night for 6 months. Hands no longer hurt, no pain in wrist and hasn't had to wear the braces now for years. He has never since had any symptoms. In his case, even though the doc said otherwise, surgery was not the answer.

DAle

[Duck]

scbwr wrote:
I'm having it done a week from Tuesday. Doctor told me that the bandage stays on for 24 hours. Then, wear wrist brace for one week, and avoid vibrations and heavy work for 4-6 weeks. The doctor is one of the best in Cleveland and uses the small incision. I searched for doctors that only do surgery on hands and arms. It's a good idea to research and find a top notch doctor and know what can be corrected and not. Any permanent nerve damage will not be corrected by the procedure, but typical symptons such as hand/arm "falling asleep" at night and pain should improve with the surgery.

Good luck! I'm writing this reply at 4 in the morning due to the typical nighttime effects of carpal tunnel...waiting for it to calm down, and back to bed I'll go.

Keep us informed as to how the surgery went.
Don

[scbwr]

I'm having it done a week from Tuesday. Doctor told me that the bandage stays on for 24 hours. Then, wear wrist brace for one week, and avoid vibrations and heavy work for 4-6 weeks. The doctor is one of the best in Cleveland and uses the small incision. I searched for doctors that only do surgery on hands and arms. It's a good idea to research and find a top notch doctor and know what can be corrected and not. Any permanent nerve damage will not be corrected by the procedure, but typical symptons such as hand/arm "falling asleep" at night and pain should improve with the surgery.

Good luck! I'm writing this reply at 4 in the morning due to the typical nighttime effects of carpal tunnel...waiting for it to calm down, and back to bed I'll go.

[helperzack]

DW had both of her's done at the same time a few years back. I can't get health insurance for her and the Doctor did both for the price of one. After several months of healing then therapy, she hasn't had a bit of problem.
Hope yours goes well.

[Thunder_Mountai]

Had it done years ago the old way and have the scars to prove it. Even the procedure was primitive by today's standards, mine went well, and I've never had any more trouble.

[Duck]

The one doc I saw does not use laparoscopy method. He said the cut was just a little larger using his method. I think I will look for another doc.
Don

[Bird_Freak]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
I had it done with laparoscopy surgery. It was a piece of cake and back to normal within weeks.

Same for my wife. Nothing to it.

[Vet_Man]

I had both had both hands done. It put me out of work on permanent disability, things just went wrong. Doc was suppose to be the best on the East Coast. Had right redone, no better. Hope yours goes well.

[donn0128]

Had the bandage off one day and was on a plane to do a job that afternoon. Have had both hands done not a big deal. My doctor told me it would take about as long to get back to normal as it took to go bad. After 20 years I still hurt sometimes when wrenching for long periods of time, but it is not nearly as bad as before the suegery. Just dont do both hands at the same time. My sister made that mistake.

[DownTheAvenue]

I had it done with laparoscopy surgery. It was a piece of cake and back to normal within weeks.

[nomad297]

I had it done. I wish I had used a better surgeon, though. Make sure to do good research before you let somebody cut into your wrist and grind on bones.

Bruce