Carpal Tunnel surgery recovery timeline?

[MOXJO7282]

Had the surgery last Wednesday. Can anyone tell me from experience how long until I'll recover? I need the surgery in other hand too, scheduled for 3 weeks from tomorrow and I hope I'll be ready for it because I'm in significant pain as I let it get bad before I had the surgery.

 

[DRIless]

My uncle had a tendon clipped today so, we're a week behind you with experience. His 'block' on his arm hasn't even started to wear off yet.

 

[Talent312]

All I can relate is my rotator cuff surgery.
I started using my arm (driving) on a limited basis in ~3 weeks.
I did physical therapy, an ice pack and pain meds for ~4 months.
I used a topical gel for soreness for a few more months after that.
YMMV.

 

[geist1223]

Patti had CTS Surgery. She said you should be fine for the next surgery. Assuming there are stitches she said they should come out about 10 days after the surgery. Patti had CTS Symptoms on both sides, right worse that left so they operated on right first. After surgery on the right the symptoms disappeared from the left.

 

[optimist]

I had CTS about 15 years ago on my right hand and had to repeat it again last year. This time I did both hands at the same time because I felt I would never come back for the second surgery.
In both instances my recovery was long... the first time almost a year and that was with frequent physical therapy and this last time, about six months.
It is really important, once the stitches come out, to massage the scar. It's very painful but it helps in getting your hand motion back. I bought one of those
squeeze balls at the dollar store and played with it often.

 

[SusanRN]

I had CTS on my dominate wrist 16 years ago. I was completely fine after two weeks, but then I have a high pain threshold (e.g., have a headache about once every 5 years). I also had a suggestion to massage the scar post-surgery, but my recollection was the purpose was to avoid scarring. I have had no problem since the surgery, but in an abundance of caution I use a mousepad with a raised wrist support when doing extensive computer work.

 

[optimist]

I should have said you have to massage around the scar in the beginning and once completely healed, then massage the scar itself.
The idea is to avoid scarring, which in turn limits hand motion.
Hope your results are more like the above.