pain after surgery- please advise - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

kye1 · 05-07-2003, 10:11 AM

I am typing this with my left hand because I had much needed carpal tunnel surgery 3 days ago. I have no real pain at the incision site (unless I try to do something stupid!) My problem is with my pinky & ring finger, and up the side of my arm. It just aches!!! Also those two fingers are going numb. Even the pain pills don't work. This never happened before the surgery, so I don't think it is a ulnar nerve problem,(but I just don't know). Has anyone else had this problem???

please let me know.

lidia09 · 05-11-2003, 01:35 PM

Hello Kye
cts affects the median nerve, this is the one which serves the thumb, index, middle & part of ring finger. The ulnar nerve serves the ring finger & pinky. I'm no expert on surgery or anatomy but as the problem only started since your cts surgery, I wonder if your surgeon maybe did something while he/she was in there? It can take a long time for the nerves to settle after surgery - up to a year or even more so you can still have symptoms for ages after the surgery. Next time you go back for a check up, ask lots of questions. Good luck & best wishes.
Lidia

[This message has been edited by lidiajamjar (edited 05-11-2003).]

NancyH · 05-11-2003, 02:04 PM

I had the 3.5 hr surgery cts and ulnar decompression a week ago. I have numbness in the middle and half of the ring finger, my surgeon told me he spent 2 hrs just removing adhessions and he nicked the branch nerve that feeds the middle and half the ring finger. I did not have that before surgery, could it be your surgeon nicked a nerve and hasn't told you? I was surprised mine admitted it to me as most won't own up to the mistake.

MMT1963 · 05-23-2003, 11:19 PM

Hi I also had sugary 3 days ago. I 'm doing great no numbness at all, no aching in my arm anymore, The only problem I seem to have, Like you, if I do something stupid or bump it. It seems to go to sleep at night but not as bad as it did before the surgery. You need to call your Dr.. Best of luck to you