Luckyj0203
04-02-2003, 07:32 PM
No one was answering my fist question so maybe someone could just tell me it they've ever been told to keep thier wraps on 3 months later and have therapy 3 times a week after carpal tunnel surgery.
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NancyH
04-15-2003, 10:41 PM
Don't know about the wraps other than the ace bandage I kept on for over a month and had physical therapy twice a week for a couple months. Everyone is different in their recovery.
simmer99
05-24-2003, 07:59 PM
I'm not sure what you mean by 'wraps', but I wore a pressure bandage for a week, a regular bandage for another week, and a cast for 8 weeks. After the cast came off, an ace bandage for a week. I also had P.T. 3 times a week for 6 weeks.
lidia09
05-25-2003, 05:42 AM
WOW http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wow.gif I can't believe what I'm reading here! I had a pressure bandage on for 5 days & that was it - exposed to the air. No physiotherapy whatsoever. I was told to start moving my fingers as soon as the surgery was finished & I just started using my hand as I normally would (with limitations of course) until it came back to normal range of movement. My surgeon pointed out to me that physiotherapy was only for people who didn't use their hands after surgery & wearing bandages & splints 24/7 only caused other muscles etc to have problems because they weren't being used! I forgot to look & see where you all were from but I'm in the UK. It would be interesting for us all to compare rates of recovery & degrees of success from the various post-surgery treatment.
Lidia :)
Lidia :)
joshsmommi
06-22-2003, 11:32 PM
I find that interesting as well. I was told that there isn't any PT after the surgery. Hmmm???
NancyH
06-26-2003, 01:49 AM
I started PT the same week of the surgery, wore a partial cast so my fingers moved immediately. My surgery was 3.5 hrs as it was more extensive than just cts, ulnar nerve decompression and transposition. In fact in the recovery room they made me move my fingers while I was still looney. I wear spints on two of the fingers for other reasons but I have to take them off 7 times a days to do my therapy as well as going to the CMT and PT. every Doc is different in his approach it seems. My first surgery in 2000 went fast and easy and I wore the cast 2 weeks and started PT in the third week and typed by the 4th week, this one is a different approach(a hand specialist)and I'm having all kinds of problems so far and it has been almost 2 months.
ShelbyS
06-29-2003, 02:03 AM
Hey guys,
I had surgery (Right Carpal tunnel release and Cubital Tunnel Repare)on the 17th of June. I went home with extensive wrapping (lots of gauze and ace wrap) from my right hand up to the arm pit and a sling. I was told to wear it (not getting it wet) for 10 days. I was encouraged to move my hand and arm as much as tolerated. While at rest I was encouraged to elevate the arm on a pillow ~ also at night time. I took pain meds consistantly for the first three - four days and then tried to switch to Tylenol. I started driving four days later (not fun!) I'm still taking the pain meds at night and when I've over-done it with the arm and hand exercises. The stitches were removed in 10 days and once that wrap was removed I had some major stiffness and discomfort. I was able to soak the arm (tub) 24 hr. after removal of stitches. My Ortho gave me exercises to do at home (to stretch the muscles) and I will follow up with him in 3 months ..unless I have difficulties. He said he only sends patients that can not straighten their arms to PT.
So far so good. The stiffness can be very uncomfortable but I find that soaking in a warm tub really helps ~ I also encourage anyone to do their arm and hand exercises in the tub ~ less stiffness, better blood flow (circulation), less painful and more relaxing! :)
ShelbyS
I had surgery (Right Carpal tunnel release and Cubital Tunnel Repare)on the 17th of June. I went home with extensive wrapping (lots of gauze and ace wrap) from my right hand up to the arm pit and a sling. I was told to wear it (not getting it wet) for 10 days. I was encouraged to move my hand and arm as much as tolerated. While at rest I was encouraged to elevate the arm on a pillow ~ also at night time. I took pain meds consistantly for the first three - four days and then tried to switch to Tylenol. I started driving four days later (not fun!) I'm still taking the pain meds at night and when I've over-done it with the arm and hand exercises. The stitches were removed in 10 days and once that wrap was removed I had some major stiffness and discomfort. I was able to soak the arm (tub) 24 hr. after removal of stitches. My Ortho gave me exercises to do at home (to stretch the muscles) and I will follow up with him in 3 months ..unless I have difficulties. He said he only sends patients that can not straighten their arms to PT.
So far so good. The stiffness can be very uncomfortable but I find that soaking in a warm tub really helps ~ I also encourage anyone to do their arm and hand exercises in the tub ~ less stiffness, better blood flow (circulation), less painful and more relaxing! :)
ShelbyS