Care after Carpal Tunnel Surgery

The anesthetic (freezing) will wear off in the next four hours. While your hand is numb, it is important not to use it. 

Keep your hand elevated above the level of your heart until you see Dr. Overduin  in 2 weeks. This is easy to do if you rest your hand on the opposite shoulder (see picture).  Do not use a sling.

Once the freezing starts to wear off, you will feel some pain. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil), as long as you haven’t been told you can’t take either drug. You can take both of these drugs at the same time. These are the doses to take:-Acetaminophen 650 mg every 4 hours -Ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 hours 

Stop taking the ibuprofen if it upsets your stomach

You can start to move your fingers the day after surgery. You can start using your hand for small, light tasks, such as eating, or brushing your hair. It may take a few days to work the stiffness out of the hand. Do not use the hand for heavy lifting until 6 weeks after your surgery. 

You have a gauze dressing and a white wrap on your hand. You can take both the gauze dressing and the white wrap off the day after surgery. You will see your incision, which may be coloured blue or purple because of the surgical marker. You will not see any stitches because they are inside the wound. 

You should get into the shower and wash your wound with soap and water the day after surgery. Do not use peroxide or alcohol. When you get out of the shower, place a fresh bandage on the wound. Then, wrap the wound with the white wrap. 

Every day, take the bandage off and wash the wound. Check to see if there is any blood on the bandage. You can leave the wound open once there is no more blood on the bandage. 

If you notice thick discharge coming from your wound, or if the wound is red and painful, you may be getting an infection. Call Dr. Overduin’s office at 519-880-4485.

If the office is closed, go see your family doctor or go to the nearest emergency department.