A question for the carpal tunnel experts

[Bummer Knees]

I saw my doctor today and a referral has been made to a hand surgeon for surgery.

Along with the carpal tunnel I have loss of muscle of the left hand.
I also have complications of the thumb joint on this hand, the doctor says I have no joint and am looking at a transfer or fusion of the joint. Course the left hand is my better hand and I will have surgery on it first because my health insurance will pay on that hand.

Now for my question:
What type of recovery time am I looking at with hand surgery?
Will I be able to drive right away after surgery?

Thank you
Bummer Knees

[UndercovrAngel]

Bummer Knees Wrote:I saw my doctor today and a referral has been made to a hand surgeon for surgery.

Along with the carpal tunnel I have loss of muscle of the left hand.
I also have complications of the thumb joint on this hand, the doctor says I have no joint and am looking at a transfer or fusion of the joint. Course the left hand is my better hand and I will have surgery on it first because my health insurance will pay on that hand.

Now for my question:
What type of recovery time am I looking at with hand surgery?
Will I be able to drive right away after surgery?

Thank you
Bummer Knees

Bummer,
Although I haven't had carpal tunnel, I did have De'Qeravains on my right hand, which is very similar. You should be able to drive within a day or so of the surgery, as long as you are careful not to overextend the use of your hand. I was back to work in 3 days after each of my surgeries. They were on Thursdays, so I took Fridays off and had the weekend, which I didn't work. It was a bit hard at first, especially since it was my right, dominant hand, but I found little tricks to help me out. I was the only cashier at a very busy local gas station/c-store, so was always using my hand.

It will also be of great benefit to you, if you can start PT within a week of the surgery. This will help keep scar tissue to a minimum, as well as help keep the ROM in your wrist and the ability to move your fingers. I wasn't able to start PT after the original surgery for over 3 weeks...and I paid the price by having to have a 2nd surgery less than 5 months later. With the 2nd surgery, I started PT within a week and was found to be MMI 4 months later. I ended up with an 8% as a whole impairment to my right hand and wrist. So make sure you get PT as soon as possible.

Angel ^j^

[halftrak]

bummer. I had my carpal tunnel surgery the same time as my right shoulder surgery, my wrist actually took longer to heal than my shoulder, therapy was started pretty quick.the incision on mine was right at the wrist, forgot to say my right wrist and am also right handed.So I was getting therapy for both at the same time. but i was driving 2 days later.But I now have right elbow problems, have had several injections in the elbow,wish you luck, but remember everyone is different so you could do great

[Bummer Knees]

Thank you Angel & Halftrak

I need surgery on both hands, also having problems with the right elbow.

Surgery on the left hand will involve carpal tunnel surgery and surgery of the thumb joint, a transfer or fusion according to the ortho I have seen.

My right hand is worse then the left, I have difficulity holding a pen or pencil and can not write much more then signing my name. Still waiting for the judge's decision on the right hand.

I've had previous surgery of the right elbow, 20 fractures of the elbow according to the surgeon. I fell at my daughter's 6th birthday party, my sister took the children home and my niece took me to the hospital.