Carpal tunnel syndrome is a crippling condition that affects thousands across the country. It is caused when pressure?often caused by poor posture or swelling?presses against a nerve in your wrist called the median nerve. Over time, this creates the all too familiar sensations of tingling, numbness, and even pain in your fingers, thumb, and palm.
If diagnosed early on, carpal tunnel can be treated with pain medications, steroid injections, wrist braces, and exercises. However, if left undiagnosed for too long, carpal tunnel release surgery is often the only hope for a cure. Fortunately, the procedure isn't a complicated one and only takes a few hours.
Carpal tunnel release recovery, however, often takes man weeks, up to a month or more. This is because the procedure consists of the doctor making a small, deep cut in the wrist or palm. While this relieves the pressure on the median nerve, it also opens you up to a variety of risks. Here are a few things to watch out for when undergoing your carpal tunnel release recovery.
Once the procedure is over, it is likely that you will experience some side effects from the anesthesia, including dizziness, disorientation, shivering, and nausea. These symptoms fade with rest, however. During the first week of your carpal tunnel release recovery, it is likely that your wrists or palms will feel very tender. You will need to limit your activities as much as you can. You can combat the pain with medication, but be sure to never take more than what your doctor prescribes. If your pain does not abate within a week or two of your carpal tunnel release recovery period, or you feel something unusually wrong with your wrists and hands, contact your doctor immediately.
You may also need to wear wrist braces during your carpal tunnel release recovery. These will keep the wrists immobile, which will aid in healing. However, it's a good idea to exercise your hands as much as you can to increase circulation and prevent atrophy. Flexing your fingers and making gentle fists are good examples of such exercises.
As your carpal tunnel release recovery period continues, you will gradually be allowed to do other activities. With any luck, your surgery scars will heal efficiently. In most cases, scarring isn't a problem. As you heal, you will notice the tingling, numbness, and pain have abated, leaving you able to work and play without pain or strange sensations. Learn more today about how carpal tunnel surgery can benefit you!
