Carpal Tunnel.

[SkyrMommy]

Has anyone faced open carpal tunnel surgery or endoscopic surgery to regain use of your dominant hand? The recovery seems to be 6+ weeks before resuming nearly normal activities and I'm wondering if there are any complications that anyone has encountered.

My Dad is facing this and trying to hear some stories to prepare himself. Any help or descriptions would be great. And knowing that I'm already facing some minor issues I'm working on preventative measures myself.

Thanks.

[lhafer]

Had a friend who had the scope surgery and she was back to normal activities within a 1-2 weeks.

[SkyrMommy]

I've read and his doctors are also saying that the endoscopic surgery is so much less recovery time, but his case is pretty severe due to an incident this winter.

[lalasmama]

:popc1:

I imagine I'll be facing this surgery shortly. Hopefully laproscopically, but paying attention to this thread just in case it's not!

[lilycat88]

I honestly didn't even know they were doing open carpal tunnel releases anymore. I was part of a study at a world renowned hand center comparing the two back in 1990 and they basically abandoned the study prematurely because the endoscopic release had such better outcomes. I was in college when I had mine done (non dominant hand) and was back typing in 3 days. It was weak but functional. I was 100% in about a month.

[SkyrMommy]

I believe that the open surgery is very, very rarely performed, but his doctors mentioned it and we're just trying to sort out and hear some surgery and recovery options.

He's very apprensive because he needs to be able to use both hands to manipulate tools and small machinery at the business. Being close to retirement and needing to work isn't helping his peace of mind either.

[dogmom]

Please pass on that the most important thing with Carpal Tunnel surgery, no matter which kind, is to do the OT exercises religiously as assigned. The surgery turns out to be useless if the hand is not mobilized quickly and often enough.