Re: CTS Surgery

In Reply to: CTS Surgery posted by Ruth on January 25, 2004 at 21:17:32:

: Hi-I am new on this board. I had carpal tunnel surgery 9 days ago (on Jan 16th) on both wrists. My doc made a 1-inch incision on the inside of each wrist and went in with a microscopic instrument and cut the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel to release the pressure on the median nerve. My question is: Have any of ya'll had it done like this? I am having a very hard time, I still cannot do as much as open the car door, turn the ignition switch, and many other things that require strength on the hands. My doc is taking the stitches out tomorrow afternoon. I am hopeing I will be able to do more after that. Any advice from anyone as to how long it takes to be able to do these sort of things????Thanks. Ruth

Hi Ruth,
I thought I posted to you before, but I guess I didn't. So here goes...I had endo in sept, my doctor uses the "show" procedure, the diffence from yours is that I have two 3/4 inch incisions, one on my palm and one on my wrist.
Now mind you I only had my dominate hand done, and it was slow going, it took a LONG time before I could start my car with my dominant hand, used my left hand for months, but I also had an accident 1 month into recovery and set my healing time back quite a bit. But I do know from others also that certain twisting with strength movements are particuluarly hard. So try to take it as easy as you can, your wrists will let you know what you are up for...(my doc kept telling me that as everyone is different).
Good luck
kitty