A few of you know a little over 2 weeks ago I had Carpel Tunnel surgery on my right hand. The left hand gets done next week. Its severe in both hands, the right is worse and since it’s my dominate hand it was scheduled first.
To diagnose CTS a physician conducts a EMG on the entire arm from finger tips to the shoulder. It’s somewhat uncomfortable and weird. Grip strength, and range of motion are also tested in occupational therapy.
It was one of the easier surgeries I’ve had and recovery has been fast. Stitches are now out and 2 tiny incisions are barely visible at this point. I still have some numbness in my fingers and thumb, but no burning pain like I did have. It used to wake me up several times during the night.
Arthroscopic Carpel Tunnel is great, they use to lay open the entire palm to release the median nerve. These days they cut the ligament running between your thumb and the lower left of the palm just above the bend in your wrist to relieve the pressure on the median nerve.
Bulky bandage is removed 48 hours later, stitches are out in a week and then it’s on to hand therapy you can do at home in your easy chair. The most difficult part of this whole thing is remembering not to lift, push or pull anything over 4 pounds for a month. I’ve forgotten a few times and it did hurt quite badly.
I do feel that any career I had is coming to a close, my hands have gotten so bad with tendon, ligament and arthritis issues. The CTS is just one facet requiring repair, it’s a good thing I started thinking about retiring this year.
I’m having the left hand done on June 7th (tomorrow) and hopefully the result will be as successful as the previous one.
