Carpal Tunnel Release

Your Procedure

You have had a carpal tunnel release. Through a small incision at the base of you palm, your surgeon has released the transverse carpal ligament to allow more space in the carpal tunnel and reduce pressure on the main nerve to your hand.

What to Expect

Local anesthetic has been injected so most of your hand and your fingers will be numb after surgery. Once this wears off, it is normal for the incision and base of your palm to be a little tender for up to 3-4 weeks from surgery. Numbness and tingling should improve but can take weeks to months.

Surgical Site Care

You will have a large bandage on after surgery. You can remove this after 2 days, clean the incision with a moist clean cloth, and apply a small band aid to protect the sutures. You should avoid getting your hand dirty or completely immersing it in water until your sutures have been removed.
If the bandage feels very tight sometime after surgery, you may loosen it. Make sure you are keeping your hand up above the level of your heart.

Activity and Care at Home

It is very important to keep your hand elevated after hand surgery to prevent swelling and pain. You may move your fingers and may use your hand for very light tasks right away. Avoid heavy lifting or gripping for 3-4 weeks then gradually ease back into normal activity. You should be back to full activities by 4-5 weeks from surgery.

Medications and Pain Management

Some discomfort and pain following surgery is to be expected. You should take ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours as directed on the container labels. If more pain is expected, you will be given a prescription that you can take in addition to this. Do not exceed the recommended doses. Keep surgical areas elevated and avoid any strenuous activities. For further information on pain management, please refer to the post-operative pain instruction sheet.

What to watch for / when to call / who to call

Call if you have fever, increasing pain, a foul smell to the dressings, increased redness, or persistent bleeding.

Follow-up

You should contact your surgeon’s office to arrange follow-up in two weeks for suture removal and/or a wound check.