Surgery questions - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

fernee · 06-05-2008, 11:30 AM

Hello,

I have a few questions for anyone that has had carpal tunnel surgery. My husband has it bad, mainly in the left wrist (he is left handed). He has had it for at least 10 years but just dealt through it. When the dr did the nerve studies he said that it is actually starting to cut through the nerves.

He is scheduled for surgery for the 17th but is confused as to which one to do. He wanted to go through endoscopic because the thought of laying his wrist and hand open scares him. He works with large equipment and big hoses and feels that it may make his hand weaker if there was an incision. However, the dr suggests the open surgery so he can see everything since there may already be permanent damage. Dr says regardless he can expect to be off 4-6 weeks from work since there is no real light duty available to him.

Has anyone had the scope surgery and was it succesful? What about the open surgery, did there scar tissue, is your hand weaker in some area from the cut?

Any help would be appreciated. He informed me today that his index finger is now bothering him terribly and he is getting worried that he may have waited too long.

irishrose · 06-08-2008, 05:08 PM

Hi fernee,

I had carpal tunnel issues for at least 1 yr before getting surgery this last Feb/08 on my left wrist. The tingling and numbness were gone the night of the surgery. My surgeon did the 1" open vertical inscision with only a local so was not put out and only took 15 mins.

Prior to my surgery I was also nervous and didn't know what to expect so did alot of research. From what I read most Dr's prefer to do open procedure if there may already some nerve damage. Also read that there is a higher risk with endoscopy as they cannot see nerves and everything as well.

It was the best desiscion I ever made to have my wrist done. I am finally back on track after starting therapy at about 8 wks post-op. My Dr wasn't sure why but my hand started to stiffen up and I didn't have the flexabilty I should have. May have guarded it too much and not used it enough. Since it had been awhile from the start of symptoms and surgery I have lost a fair amount of strength in my left hand. My therapist said that it usually takes longer for the strength to improve.

As I am right handed it helped alot in my recovery to be able to do a certain amount for myself. Even though that my work was not as much of a concern after surgery and in recovery as your husband's maybe, I still did not work for at least 4wks and then only on modified as my Dr allowed. Tell your husband not to rush things too quickly returning to work.

Good Luck, hope all goes well.
irishrose

drs · 06-09-2008, 07:09 AM

Just a suggestion: Have your hubby mark his right wrist with something like....not this wrist. A friend of mine had a cyst removal and they started carpal tunnel surgery on her before someone looked at the chart and realized they were doing the wrong procedure. Just wanted your hubby to be on the safe side.

saf76 · 06-13-2008, 07:59 PM

I had bilateral endoscopic surgery.(Both at the same time) I am left handed also and a heavy equipment mechanic.I liked the endoscopic way. Less healing time but dont rush it because if you do it will make the process take longer . It has taken me about 5 months to really get back to working good with my hands.It is worth it though because I have no more numbness in my hands.Good luck with the surgery.