How long does incision pain last after carpal tunnel surgery?
How long does incision pain last after carpal tunnel surgery?
Usually, post-surgical pain lasts a few days. Stitches come out in 7-10 days. In another 2-4 weeks, your hand starts to normalize again as the scar firms up. But that’s assuming there are no complications.
Why does my hand still hurt after carpal tunnel surgery?
At three months following carpal tunnel surgery, your numbness and pain still could be byproducts of the procedure. Many people find the incision causes pain and irritation as it heals. In addition, a condition called ‘pillar pain,’ which is a localized reaction to the surgery, can lead to discomfort.
How long does it take for pillar pain to go away?
Your discomfort is due to the division of the ligament that helps stabilise your wrist. This phenomenon is called “pillar pain” and resolves over 3-4 months following the procedure.
How do you know if you have scar tissue after carpal tunnel surgery?
The nearby skin may feel tight. You may even feel a bump beneath the incision. Wrist and hand movement may feel restricted. Scar tissue can also bind the flexor tendons and median nerve, preventing them from gliding smoothly within the carpal tunnel.
How do you massage carpal tunnel scars?
Use an un-perfumed cream and rub in a circular motion over the scar. It is the massage of the underlying scar tissue which reduces the scaring not the cream itself. You can use your hand straight away but you need to keep it clean and dry until the wound has healed.
Where is pillar pain located?
Pillar pain occurs to the sides of the incision in the thicker parts of the palm, called the thenar and hypothenar eminence. 5 This is where the transverse ligament attaches to the carpal bones (forming the carpal tunnel). The muscles of the palm are also located here.
Should I wear a wrist brace after carpal tunnel surgery?
Immediately after carpal tunnel surgery, patients will wear a bandage and/or splint to help stabilize the wrist after the procedure. Be sure to keep this bandage/splint on at all times to brace the wrist and aid in healing. Do not place any unnecessary stress or strain on the operated hand/wrist.
What are symptoms of pillar pain?
Most patients have decreased hand numbness, no night-time hand tingling, and less pins and needles hand pain. Many of my patients tell me that after surgery they were able to sleep well for the first time in months. However, surgical site pain can be a temporary problem for some patients.
When does pillar pain start?
Pillar Pain It is considered normal for the first 2-6 weeks after surgery. If symptoms of pillar pain are present beyond 3 months from the time of surgery, I may prescribe formal hand therapy to help reduce swelling and discomfort, and to restore grip strength.
How do you break up scar tissue after carpal tunnel surgery?
Can you overdo it after carpal tunnel surgery?
After the carpal tunnel incision has healed, hand activity is not harmful to the recovery process. Doing too much with the hands after surgery can be sore, but it does not cause long-lasting damage. Eventually, pillar pain gets better with time.