Cubital/carpal Tunnel Surgery - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

CLERK · 01-02-2007, 02:07 PM

If I am having general anesthesia when I wake up will there be alot of pain?

Thanks for your help.

Koot · 01-03-2007, 05:21 AM

I would be very surprised if you have any pain at all. If you're worried about pain - don't.

I had cubital decompression and transposition surgery (four months ago) and there was never any need to take anything for pain. The only discomfort I had was dealing with wrapping (ace bandage) on my arm. I was at the driving range hitting golf balls ten days after surgery.

Koot

Johands333 · 01-06-2007, 03:49 PM

Clerk,
You really won't have pain -- but you will find having your hand in a bandage is a pain. From one female to another -- get some sports bras so you won't have to hook up the ones you have. You have to wiggle into the sports bras but it's worth it. Using your elbow or inside of the elbow for tasks that you used to use your hand worked for me. I learned all kinds of things that my elbow could be used for instead of the bandaged hand. Going to the bathroom is another thing. And (excuse the bluntness of this thought, but I want you to know what you're getting into), if you have your period think of how you will have to work things with using a pad but doing it all one handed. I would not suggest tampons at this time. Make sure you have baskets handy for taking things from one part of your house to another. I bought a folding laundry basket and only put a few dirty clothes in it when I went downstairs to do laundry. Just think about what you will have to do one handed for about 2 weeks and you'll know what you need to get to prepare. Also, once the stitches are out, soak the area in water with baby oil in it.
--Jo

Gail45ca · 01-08-2007, 04:40 PM

Hi, I've had carpal tunnel release surgery on my left hand. I had some incision pain but took some pain meds they gave me and that controlled it very well. I don't think you'll have too much pain but if you do, just take the meds for it. The thing that bothered me most was that he put a football sized bandage on my hand and left only the tips of my fingers poking out. It was ridiculous. I couldn't do anything. My brother had the same surgery and his Doctor put only a thin ace bandage over a band-aid so he got to use his hand right away. After three days of the "football" I couldn't take it anymore and took most of the bandage off. It healed just fine without all that bulk. Good luck on your surgery. By the way, my outcome was great and I have no more pain in my hand, the surgery was well worth it!

Johands333 · 01-09-2007, 05:44 AM

Be careful if they give you darvocet for pain. About a week after I was on this I thought I was trying to pass a baseball. Boy, does it make you constipated. I even ate loads of fruits and veggies and drank a lot of water for the second surgery thinking it would help. No, I still had that one morning of constipation. It was terrible.
--Jo