A Patient’s Advice on How to Prepare for Recovery from Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

If you are considering carpal tunnel release surgery, have it scheduled, or have had it mentioned or recommended to you, there are some important things to know and have in order before going under the knife. Full use and freedom of our hands is one of those things that is so integral to our daily lives, that its compromise takes on an almost paradoxical twist; the things you cannot do are so obvious, but the actual experience is something else altogether. It’s analogous to instinctively reaching for the light switch during a power outage to illuminate your search for a flashlight in a drawer. You can intellectualize it, but your body is on auto pilot.

There are some things you can do in advance, to prepare your home, and social environment to optimize your acute recovery time. Although post-operative instructions from your surgical provider are obviously going to be included with the experience, they vary greatly in detail and quality, based on personalities of the medical caregivers involved, and the surgical facility.

I recently had bi-lateral, open carpal tunnel release surgery. That is the more invasive, non-endoscopic type, on both hands, simultaneously. Most CTR surgeries are performed on hand at a time, and in that sense, my experience was somewhat extreme, but I feel the advice I can offer based on that experience, for those having the endoscopic surgery, or one hand at a time, is not one of overkill, but of complete preparation. Before my surgery, I searched for advice on the internet, posted a question at Yahoo Answers, talked to acquaintances who have had the surgery, asked questions of the nurses before my surgery, yet, I was still unprepared for the reality of After.

First, it is important to have someone to go with you during the surgery, stay in the waiting area, and be ready as soon as you are ready to leave. Most, if not all facilities will require you be driven home by someone else, so you will be given that information ahead of time, but it is important to have someone present in the waiting area during the procedure. This prevents any delays or frustrations with being picked up. The last thing you will want to do is have to navigate someone via a cell phone to and around a place that you probably aren’t that familiar with yourself. Another reason to have someone wait for you is that the surgeon and other attending medical staff will be able to give this person any prescriptions (if there is a pharmacy onsite, it is convenient to have them fill the prescriptions while they wait for you) supplies (I left with big ice-packs, papers, and other items) and instructions. Even if you are not having general anesthesia, you will probably have had some sort of intravenous drug such as fentanyl, and you will be surprisingly and decidedly dazed. The person going with you should be mature and understand they are responsible for taking note of and remembering all instructions given. You should also choose someone you trust emotionally, as you may feel somewhat vulnerable. Don’t wait until the last minute to find someone to stay with you during your surgery, and don’t hesitate to put it out there; most people will gladly jump at the chance to help you, and even be flattered you trusted them with your care. Also, be sure to make it clear that it does not take very long, and that they will not have to (or even be allowed to) watch the surgery!

It is also indispensable to have someone stay with you for the first 2-5 days after your surgery, and at a minimum, the first night and full following day. There will be many things that will be difficult, painful, and even foolish to do yourself. You will probably be able to drive in the few days following your surgery, but is it safe? I was told by my surgeon that I would be able to drive about 2 days after my surgery, but found it was impossible, and completely unsafe. I had essentially no strength or range of motion in my hands and wrists, and it was extraordinarily painful. You can probably do some basic household chores, but do you really want to hinder your recovery by aggravating your incision, even a little? The recovery is not without pain, and if you are having the surgery, you have most likely already been experiencing chronic pain with your symptoms. There is a lot to be said for being kind to yourself in this time. If you live alone, or are a single parent with small children, do yourself a favor and ask a close friend or relative to stay with you. If you live with a roommate, spouse, partner, older children, or someone else that will be helping you, set aside a good amount of time before your surgery to talk about the first few days after your recovery, and make any needed arrangements involving child care responsibilities, household chores, transportation, etc.

Things to do as soon as your surgery is scheduled:

*Make arrangements to have someone be with you during your surgery.

*Make arrangements for someone to stay with you for the days following your surgery, and discuss your probable needs and expectations.

*Arrange your time off with your employer if necessary.

Things to do a couple days before the surgery:

*Go shopping and make sure you have all household essentials, regular prescriptions, food, supplies, and anything else you need for a couple weeks after your surgery.

*Clean your house; get all the laundry done, floors swept or vacuumed, things put in order, etc.

*Make sure any day-to-day loose ends are tied up; pay your bills, send some unanswered emails out, etc.

Things to do the day before the surgery:

*Make all necessary food preparations.

*Rent some movies (I recommend using your public library–they usually have extended due dates)

*Have some books or reading material set aside

*Prepare the space in which you will be resting. You will want to choose a quiet, comfortable area of your home, as you will be sleeping quite a bit. Prepare the space with plenty of comfortable pillows, blankets, and anything else you will need for comfort. Have a large basket or table nearby, in which you can store essentials.

*Make or buy some extra ice to have on hand for your water cup and ice packs.

Essentials to have on hand

These items should be in a basket or table in your recovery area:

*Your surgical provider’s and other important phone numbers

*Phone

*Medications, in their original bottles

*Blankets, pillows, slippers, and other comfort items

*Books, DVDs, and other entertainment

*An extra-large cup of water, filled to the brim with ice.

*Ear plugs and an eye mask– Sleep is very beneficial in healing.

These items are nice to have available:

*Good quality (thick) plastic trashbags and hair scrunchies. You can secure the bags over your bandages with a scrunchie, and shower or bathe without getting your wrappings wet. Make sure your entire bandage is encased in the plastic bag.

*Dixie cups. For rinsing your mouth while brushing your teeth.

*Ice packs-ask your provider about using ice packs in your recovery.

*Loose, comfortable clothes without buttons or zippers.

*Large band aids and wrist splints. Talk to your provider about changing your dressing from the large, bulky wraps you are sent home in, to using wrist splints over large band aids. I was allowed to change my original dressing 5 days after my surgery, and it made a world of difference in my overall comfort level.

*Traumeel, or other brand of arnica cream. These are effective products to use on sore, inflamed, and bruised areas. These can be found in natural foods’ markets such as Wild Oats, or in larger natural food/health sections of some mainstream and independent grocery stores. Of course, do not apply this or anything on or near your incision, and apply only after you have permission to change your bandages.

Good luck in your recovery!

Reference:

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome