Attn. Alan

In Reply to: Re: Surgery scheduled 2/4 posted by Alan from the UK on January 21, 2004 at 19:13:29:

: : Hi I saw a surgeon today, and I am having CTS on my right hand on 2/4. I was wondering if there is any advice on what I should prepare for afterwards...Meaning the first few days. I am a stay at home mom with a rambunctious 5 yr old boy...I have an 11 yr old daughter that is a lot of help though. My mother is elderly and lives with us, but I don't physically have to care for her and she is very helpful with meals and taking care of lots of things...my main concern is my son, since he is so active...I worry about him hurting me. BYW, my husband works a 2pm-4pm shift, so he isn't home during the evening hours.

: I don't know what to suggest about you son - but he is old enough to understand a little of what is going on. If you have the bandage on then gentle finger excercises for the first week and use it lightly. Keep your hand raised Above your heart) for the first 2-3 days all the time (this stops it swelling and throbbing)then keep it raised for the first week as often as possible. You should have the heavy bandage off by the 2nd or 3rd day and replaced with a tubigrip support bandage. Wash it daily and dry it with a COOL hair dryer replacing the tubigrip afterwards. you will probably have your stitches out after 12 - 14 days. The wound is then kept supple and moist by firmly massaging the wound site with your thumb 3 to 4 times a day with E45 cream or similar (this helps break down the scar tissue and promotes quick healing. The skin will start peeling back as well - thats natural. As far as things to practice - if you are right handed practice washing with your left hand. Getting dressed one handed is a bummer too. The best bit is practicing wiping your bottom with your left hand - not easy if you have a big bum like mine LOL and use the paper double or triple to stop those wee accidents like your finger ending up through the paper (believe me I have been there).

: Best of luck.

: Alan

Loved the hygeine tips Alan LOL - absolutely right though. Great idea with the hair dryer too.
I was fascinated with your explanation of the crossed nerves in an earlier post. Did a wee bit of searching & found diagrams of what appeared to be branches linking the median & ulnar nerves - must read up more on that. Where exactly was your nerve crossed? Really interesting that ulnar symptoms can actually turn out to be CTS. Was it like that in both your hands? I should imagine that to be something a bit more unusual for the medical profession to see? I didn't have any nerve conduction tests before my CTS surgery but am having them this time round for the ulnar probs. Would be interested to hear more details.
Evelyn