The Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery is done for releasing transverse carpal
ligament which is covering carpal tunnel. This surgery is done due to
the problems of median nerve compression at the wrist which will lead
to weakness and heavy pain in the hand. This surgery has a high success
rate of 90%.
Recovery
from Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery at Hospital
As soon as this surgery gets finished, the patient will be sent to the
recovery room at the hospital. There the post operative patients will
be accompanied with healthcare providers to assist them. A patient will
be completely under their care until the patient gets discharged. The
patient may be admitted for three hours or even a day depending upon the
patient and type of anesthesia used.
The healthcare providers will provide medications for the patients who
have used general anesthesia to recover from common shivering. Few patients
may experience nausea after this surgery which will not last long. Also
pain medications will be given for wrist pain after the surgery. After
providing post operative treatments, the patient will be sent home.
Recovery
from Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery at Home
• If the patient had both hands operated by this surgery, then the
patient must be accompanied by another person to assist for minimum two
weeks.
• The patient should avoid doing strenuous activities during recovery.
This may cause pain to be increased and symptoms to reappear.
• Patients should return to normal activities only after recovering
from this surgery.
• After surgery, the patient may feel decline of strength of grip
and dexterity. Proper instructions must be followed as advised by the
doctor to regain strength.
• For this surgery, the complete level of improvement will be achieved
gradually in a period of 10 months.
• Proper medications should be taken to relieve from common anesthesia
allergies and infections. Pain killers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
can be taken.
• The surgeon may advise a wrist splint and a sling to be worn after
the surgery for a few days or up to a week. This should be carefully followed.
• The arm should be kept at the sling for first three days. During
night time the hand should be kept elevated above two pillows in the bed
for first three nights.
• Doing finger stretching exercises gently will speed up the recovery.
• Bending and straightening the fingers in to the palm and squeezing
gently a foam ball are some common exercises.
• Patient should try regularly to move the elbow and shoulder in
order to loosen the joints.
