Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Support Group

I had the surgery back in the (80) can't remember the exact date.They wanted me to have on both wrist at the same time.I'm glad i didn't,the first one hurt so bad that i didn't even want to get the other one done.I was allergic to just about all of the pain meds my doctor gave me,so i hurt for along time.Iwas out of work for (8 weeks)went back to work to soon.After about (6months)i had the other one done,oh,i can not explain the pain.when u have the surgery you can not use that hand at all,was hard going to the bathroom,showering, brushing teeth,trying to fix your hair and so on.If you happened to bump into anything u screamed.Now i'm going to have it again because it's back.I will wait untill i can't lift a coffee cup.Yes after the hurting left my wrist didn't hurt,I'd rather not have the surgery again,i'm older and being i can't take the stronger meds for pain,i don't think i can handle it.That is my view on the subject.Good luck whoever has to have the surgery! The doctor will tell u that there will be a little pain,He is lying.

ICE,,, LOTS AND LOTS OF ICE THE FIRST DAY OR SO...i had the surgery years ago also..i must be weird, didn't have a problem, went back to work days later, in surgical wraps. easy job and they worked around me. at the time i wasn't one that could stay at home and not go nuts, had the stitches out a week later and only used a splint to remind me that i couldn't over do it.. it worked great for me. did the left later and had the same success in the surgery, but had to take more time off work this time because i had changed jobs and i was driving a school bus so i couldn't do everything i needed to do until it was stronger.. i had to repeat the right hand later i injured it and the second time around took longer to heal and i went to physical therapy that time..they feel good now.

They have really made trememdous advances in CTS release surgery. It is done using microsurgical techniques. I had the surgery on both hands three years ago. I didn't have a great deal of pain afterwards. I have no visible scars, as the doc made the incisions in the creases of my hands.

I am pain free and my grip strength is back to normal. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

My recommendation for anyone considering CTS surgery is to consult a hand surgeon.

My opinion is that I know that is what I have. My both arms go numb. My right arm has so much pain. My wrist has a slight bump. I thought at first that it was a calcium deposit. I don't have to deal with hormone changes yet. I do have night sweats, but I think it's stress.
I thought, I have been in the restaurant business for 16 years.... My hands go numb and my right hand aches. I have a lump at my wrist. The lump hurts and it has gotten biggger ...Is it Carpal Tunnel? If it isn't then I am lost.
My Mom had the surgery I had to help her with her pants and alot of things..My hands hurt so bad and they go numb for hours...............Right now my Mom is my priority but HELP
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I had the surgery in 2001; each hand was done about 6 weeks apart. I was back to work in 3 days, and had no physical therapy afterwards, which I regret (although it wasn't explained that I'd need it). The scarring was minimal. The recovery was painful, but not unbearable; I took mostly ibuprofen to deal with the pain. Some things to keep in mind: writing is difficult, so is driving a stick shift car, wiping your ass, and pouring from a pitcher. Sleeping can get tricky. Cook ahead of time so you don't have to do too much. And for pete's sake - have physical therapy or some other sort of structured rehab!

I regret having the surgery at all; I would have liked to have tried acupuncture or something first. It's been about 6 years now, and my hands are worse than they were before.

Thank you for all the replies to this discussion. I was just told I needed to have CTS surgery and I'm really not sure I want to have it done. I have done a lot of research and have gotten mixed opinions on whether to have the surgery or not. I worked in an office for years and my hands never bothered me but my last job was as a dog washer(needed to get out of the office for a while) and the pain in my hands began immediately. It was from squeezing the hoze nozzle all day long, as well as handling large dogs, which most don't like the bath or dryer! :) Since I filed my L&I claim on my hands my employer fired me so my hands don't hurt much anymore since I'm not working, except sometimes when I sleep. I figure if I get a job that is easier on my hands and continue to wear my braces and look into physical therapy or some other form of treatment, I can avoid this surgery. I'd appreciate all the feedback and advise I can get about this. Is surgery really worth it? HELP!

I had CTS in May of this year. My incision was about 2" long, although along the crease of my hand. I thought the incision would be much smaller. The swelling and tenderness in the tendon around the incision is slowly dissapating. Taking a lot longer than I thought. Results have been mostly positive as I have good rom in fingers and the CT-type pain seems to have gone.
I would say expect a longer recovery.

I had two surgeries. The first surgery went well however they bandaged my hand up too tight and since I was still numb from surgery I couldn't tell. I ended up with a black palm and permanent median nerve damage in that hand. My second surgery was done by a board certified hand surgeon that went to Harvard Medical and needless to say it was wonderful! He had a great bedside manner and he really fixed me up good. He drew on my hand to show me where he was going in and explained the entire procedure to me. Obviously, I would recommend the surgery as long as you can get a doctor like Dr Seiler! My last surgery was 2 years ago and lately I have had some symptoms but I was told the longest guarantee on CT surgery was 5 years. If you are experiencing CT from a work experience do yourself and hire an attorney that will look out for you. I worked for a great company but ran into a brick wall when I needed help. My attorney is the one that insisted on Dr Seiler. Good luck to you!

I have had both hands done. One was orthoscopic and one was cutting into the hand. I think the orthoscopic worked better.

I just had my surgery less than two weeks ago on my right hand. I was awake while they did it and felt nothing but pressure. I was sore due to the surgery but the pains and problems I was having before was immediatilly better.I work in a factory and I am on light duty due to the kind of work I do. I get a little better each day but still weak and having troubles like opening jars and door knobs. Hope that will be better in the following weeks.