numbness and rehab/strengthening

In Reply to: how long for post surgery numbness to go ?... posted by sam on March 24, 2004 at 03:29:31:

: Hi everyone,
: I havent posted since the summertime. I was the drummer who had CTS almost 14 years and tried all kinds of alternate treatments ( cortisone shots, accupuncture, chiro, etc.). Finally nothing was helping anymore and I decided to have surgery (2 weeks ago and got stitches out yesterday )
: Had the hand elevated and in a brace for 2 weeks and noticed I didn't get numb in the fingers as in the past. Slowly regaining strength in the hand and feeling ok..

: Still numb by the incision........... does anyone know if that goes away as you continue to heal ?
: Tried massaging to break up scar tissue but still tender and little bit of a scab.

: Also, are there any specific exercises to work the hand, wrist, fingers ?
: My doctor didnt tell me what to do.
: Any advise ?

: Thanks.

The numbness near the incision will probably fade as the feeler nerves regrow. you know, those itty bitty tendrils that let you feel the different sensations. I'm 3mos out, and I've got one pencil eraser sized numb spot still. It's not too bad.
With regard to exercises, I posted my sheets on my web page www.geocities.com/heartland/park/6825. feel free to copy them. I was told to do 2 sets of 10-15 twice a day. start easy and work your way up. Don't do the wrist flexion ones until your incision and suture marks are 100% healed. The more you do the nerve glides and tendon glides, the less the chance the healing process will result in extra scarring making things stick.
Hope that helps some.