Are you experiencing pain and numbness after having carpal tunnel surgery? Don't worry; all these symptoms will manifest after this surgery. This blog will explain the possible restrictions after carpal tunnel surgery and how to overcome them.
Moreover, we will share some recovery tips and essential information for a complete recovery guide. Get hands on the best mobility aid equipment and daily living aid tools from Moovkart.
We have extensive hand and foot care exercise devices, protective gear, and toilet safety devices that patients need post-surgery.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & its Treatment?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition that develops pain and tingling sensation in the hand and wrist. In most cases, it occurs when the tunnel narrows, and the surrounding tissues are inflamed.
It adds extra pressure on the median nerve in the hand, causing pain in the arm and shoulder.
Hand exercise, physiotherapy, or surgery are the most common methods to treat this condition.
However, studies reveal that surgery is the most successful treatment option but causes 3-25% of patients to experience recurring symptoms.
5 Restrictions After Carpal Tunnel Surgery
After going through carpal tunnel surgery, there are some limitations for some time that restrict your activities. Here, we will share those limitations that are helpful in a successful recovery journey.
1: Scarring
The surgery is an operation in which a cut is made in the palm. The scar on the hand limits the hand motion for quite some time. It lasts for a few weeks until it heals.
Furthermore, the skin stays sore for some time and irritates. The best thing is to rest your hand after surgery and postpone every other task for some time.
2: Dressings
The bandage on the hand post-surgery protects the incision but also comes as a barrier to your daily tasks.
The dressing of the wound not only limits hand movement but also requires proper post-surgery care, which involves changing it every day.
With the dressing, you can't use water and grip things for a short recovery period. Hence, covering your dressings with a rubber glove is advisable to keep them dry.
3: Exercise
If you are a fitness freak, it's time to take the back seat. This is the time that your hand needs total rest post-surgery.
Carpal tunnel surgery restricts hand movements and makes it impossible to perform hand exercises for some time, as you don't want to mess with your wound.
As there are restrictions with hand movements, you can wear thermos carpal tunnel gloves that offer therapeutic warmth and enhanced comfort.
4: Job Duties
The recovery post carpal tunnel surgery takes time and restricts the job duties, whether professional or personal life commitments.
In such a scenario, you need to look for someone else to manage the tasks that involve your hand.
Further, your healthcare professional can write to your job manager about your restricted movements for some time.
5: Washing and bathing
It's not possible to use your hand post-surgery in water. If you are a homemaker and must perform kitchen tasks involving water, you must stop.
Moreover, carpal hand surgery also restricts the face washing routine as you are not allowed to make your dressings wet.
So, you can use a rubber glove to perform such tasks or avoid them.
Takeaway:
To sum up, surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is best but comes with some restrictions, as mentioned above.
So, if you are considering this treatment option, consider its limitations before making a final decision, and remember to consult your specialist.
FAQs
Can I go back to work after 2 weeks post-carpal tunnel surgery?
If you had an open surgery on the hand, you use it for repeated tasks, and it is advisable not to use it until the scar has healed fully.
On the other hand, if you use your other hand for essential tasks and manage work with one hand, you can return to work.
How long before you can use your hand after carpal tunnel surgery?
It takes three to four months to recover from surgery fully- Moreover, it takes one complete year to regain full hand strength.
So, if your hand is fully recovered and can perform daily tasks, you can return to your job.
How long after carpal tunnel surgery can I drive?
Carpal tunnel surgery takes almost 10 to 14 days for a full recovery. If you can perform daily tasks such as eating, writing, and typing, you can also try driving after two weeks.