linn-zy said: OMG I am gonna do a carpal tunnel surgery next week, I really hope it goes all wellā¦Iāve heard that it varies from case to case. Any general tips of what to do to not go crazy while healing?
As far as not going stir crazy, lots of tv and Internet helps. But try doing some of the things you enjoy anyway. As long as you don't push yourself too hard, some stuff might still be possible. Unless you want to go play sports... That might not work lol. The surgery itself went really simple. I opted for a "bier block" which basically only applied the anesthetic to my arm. I still had to be put to sleep, but it was a much safer process this way with less side effects. I wasnāt incoherent and dizzy when I woke up.
Just follow the directions your doctor gives you. I didnāt experience anything more than a dull ache when my surgery was over. I kept waiting for the pain to get worse, but it didnāt, so I never got my pain pill prescription filled. Heck, I never even needed to take any aleve or aspirin for it.
Even once it is healed up and the stitches come out, it will be tender. I stumbled a couple months after my surgery and I caught myself against the wall with that hand, and smacked the heel of my hand on the wall. OMG. It hurt so bad I shed a few tears! Even though the skin is healed and the hand is functioning normally, the cartilage inside that has been cut, has not fully healed.
Itās been just over a year since my surgery now, and my hand has no scar and no pain, and it functions normally. I think I first noticed the pain being gone completely (when I bump my hand on things), just under a year past my surgery. I made sure to stretch it as often as possible while healing. Buy yourself one of those hand strengthening squeeze balls. It will hurt to use at first, but it is worth it.
Good luck on your surgery! Itās probably the simplest, easiest one you will ever have!
