I had CTR done 4 days ago. Surprised how little pain there was. Not much need for pain relief. Cleaned area as instructed on day 3 and re-applied bandage. No other instructions other than move fingers until I get sutures removed at day 14.

My friends father had it done 4 days before me and is in PT already?

what are your stories?

Hi,

I had CT release surgery on my left hand March 1. Like you, I was surprised at how little pain there was. I started physical therapy and the thick bandaging was removed from my hand on March 6. (My whole hand and upper arm were broken out in a rash from where they left the Betadine on.)

PT mainly consisted of various exercises to move my hand - nothing strenuous. They gave me a small cotton glove-sleeve to put on, since I'm allergic to band-aids.

On March 13, my sutures were removed, and I again had PT. This time they showed me one exercise to do rolling clay, and then other exercises to start two weeks later. That was the last PT appointment I had.

I just had my last follow-up with the surgeon this past Tuesday. He said everything looks good, though I do still have a bit of tenderness and redness in the scar area (probably didn't help that I tripped and landed right on my scar with my full weight on the edge of a chair!) He said that would probably last awhile, but eventually go away.

I'm really pleased with the results though. All of the numbness and awful pain I was having for the past several years is totally gone! It's such a relief! (Though I did wake up twice early in recovery with my pinkie and ring finger numb, but I think it was swelling putting pressure on the ulnar nerve.) I plan on having the surgery on my right hand this summer when I'm off from work.

Good luck with your recovery, and remember not to overdo it. Just take it easy and give yourself lots of time to heal. (I still don't vacuum or sweep - my husband does it for me and also picks up heavy stuff for me. I wonder how long I can get away with that?! Think he'd believe I have a permanent restriction against housework? :) )

As I've mentioned here before, be careful how much you use your hands for the first YEAR. I had surgeries in mid and late 2005. I overdid it and now I have tendinits. I had to have another EMG done and they said my nerves are good, my muscles are good, surgery was a success. IT's my tendons. Both hands are equal in amount of damage. I'm probably looking at cortisone shots or hopefully, maybe, just celebrex.