What to Expect After Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery
As a leading Oakland County surgeon in carpal tunnel release surgery, Dr. Rehman’s goal is to return patients to their busy lives with a minimum of downtime after surgery. Knowing what to expect during your carpal tunnel surgery recovery is an important part of making your decision to undergo the procedure.
In this article we give you a general recovery timeframe for endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery. However, every patient’s situation is unique and your recovery time and process may vary. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Rehman in our Oakland County or Macomb County office and she will answer all of your questions regarding carpal tunnel release surgery – including what to expect during recovery.
The Day of Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Since endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery is conducted on an outpatient basis – using tiny incisions and local anesthetic – you will be able to go home the same day of your surgery. You should have someone with you to drive you home, to avoid flexing or putting stress on the wrist while driving.
Dr. Rehman’s staff will provide you with detailed instructions on how to take care of your incision, as well as how and when you will be allowed to use your hand. You will also be given a prescription for pain medication.
The First Two Weeks after Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Typically your incisions will be closed with a dissolvable stitch or two during endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery. Usually a few days after surgery you will be allowed to remove the dressing and replace it with small bandages.
Your post-surgery instructions will tell you specifically when to remove the bandages. Until you remove the bandages, you will need to keep the incisions clean and dry. Make someone else do the dishes! And cover your hand with a plastic bag when showering or bathing.
Approximately two weeks after endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery, you will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Rehman. Usually, after a week or two, you should be able to return to most normal activities, provided they don’t flex, put pressure on, or otherwise impact the affected hand.
You may typically also return to work a week or two after endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery – depending upon your line of work, and if you are able to not stress the affected hand while working.
If you are right handed, for example, and need that hand to type, lift, or operate a screwdriver or cash register, you will not be able to go back to work until cleared by Dr. Rehman. She will discuss this with you during your consultation.
During the initial recovery period, you will also be scheduled for physical therapy in order to help you regain strength and range of motion in your hand and wrist.
The Month after Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Within the first several weeks, most patients at our Oakland County & Macomb County surgical practice find that the discomfort, stiffness, and swelling around the surgical site decreases significantly.
However, the timing of relief in carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms varies from patient to patient. For some patients, symptoms such as numbness and tingling may lessen very quickly after surgery – while others may take longer.
The Months Following Carpal Tunnel Surgery
In the weeks to months after surgery, the strength of your gripping and “pinching” will gradually improve, while any lingering carpal tunnel symptoms should decrease or completely disappear.
You may have some residual tenderness in your scars over the following weeks or even months after endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery, but gently massaging the area can help lessen this tenderness.
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery Oakland County
Keep in mind that all patients have a different pace of recovery after any surgery, including endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Your age, how well you heal, how advanced your carpal tunnel syndrome is, and even if yiou smoke, will affect your recovery.
Dr. Rehman will specifically tailor your post-surgery instructions to your individual situation and personal needs – including your type of work.
If you are experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rehman today. She has helped hundreds of men and woman in Macomb and Oakland get the relief they need with both surgical and non-surgical carpal tunnel syndrome treatments.
