Carpal Tunnel surgery: Full exercise program after stitches are removed

carpal tunnel surgery self therapy to regain full motion and strength

[@megankamna5197]

Thank goodness for doctors like you putting this information in videos. I didn’t get any instruction on to do ANYTHING except the vitamin e oil. And couldn’t get me in to any physical therapy until 4+ weeks after my surgery, I’m a hairstylist I need to get back to work...

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Glad it helped.

[@jiniefox6126]

Megan, I am a hairdresser too. How did you go , going back to work? I am 3 weeks post op and can do a few trims, but my hand isnt strong enough to hold a dryer,, or have enough dexterity to roll a perm. I had my non dominant hand done.

[@megankamna5197]

@@jiniefox6126 I only do men's hair cuts.I had my non-dominate hand done first. I am now prepping for my dominate hand. I kept working at it. Started with just grasping a pen to moving to bigger things. Never over do it. Massage the area a lot and just keep working at it.

[@jiniefox6126]

@@megankamna5197 Thanks for replying Megan:)

[@MrBollivar]

I had regular carpal tunnel surgery in 1976 to my right wrist. You can see the scares easily. It is in my past medical history. Pre op PA noted this 1976 and commented he isn't think it would make a difference with the scoping surgery. The surgeon examined my wrist just prior to surgery. I wanted to watch my surgery, but I was not allowed to. During the surgery, I heard the surgeon complain about the scaring made by the 1976 surgery. Then I could feel and see the table where I was lying on move back and forth. After the surgeon was done, I saw him give me an angry look and he then quickly left the room. I got back to my exam room where the RN advised me that if I should have any pain, I could take Advil though it is listed on my chart as medication I can't take. I had about a 2 hour drive home. After the lidocaine wore off, severe and I mean severe set in making it difficult to drive. I had told the nurse that I could stay in a motel overnight as I came prepared for anything. She said it was not necessary because I didn't need to take pain meds. Now I am on the interstate with pain as severe as your worst toothache. I had to stop numerous times. I didn't know what to do so I did end up taking 800 mg of Advil. I finally made it home. To say I was pissed off would be an understatement. I am going to try to get a DVD of my surgery and an MRI. I cancelled any follow up visits because I am very upset with the surgeon and the nurse. Any advice would be appreciated.

[@anaschreiner2568]

Thank you very much. Just found this video and will follow your advice. I was not told any of this at suture removal either by my surgeon or nurses.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

your are welcome. Hope it helps!

[@bernadettellincoln3187]

I am seeing a Doctor re: left hand carpel tunnel. He to is from Tennessee. I like your video's short to the point, exercises are simple and helpful, along with your calm and patient explanation. Thank you for making these videos....Aloha from Hawaii.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

You can start gliding exercises as soon as the pain allows.

[@elizabethwhite8839]

Thank you .

[@JH-hb8ob]

Just had the surgery recently. Will be following your advice here. Thank you for sharing.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Hope this helps.

[@scottsvare2637]

Hi Ron, Great videos! I saw your first one before my surgery on both hands at the same time and was doing the exercises on day 1. My stitches will come out on Wednesday and I will be doing your full exercise program. Since scar tissue / manual manipulation seems to be a dying art (ex athlete) I am hoping I can find a therapy location to just break up the scar tissue. If not I have the spoon and the wood dowel to get in there and do it myself. Thank you for your videos and helping us to recover as fast as possible. I also left the hospital with ZERO instructions from the Surgeon but have had so many surgeries that I knew I was going to something instead of nothing!

[@RONFRENCHOT]

thanks for the compliment! pencil eraser works great on hard to break-up scars. Just let it close good first

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Thanks, glad you found it helped.

[@rosieo469367]

My surgeon told me nothing. I'm 18 days post -op. Still having pins and needles and numbness. Almost to the point of tears. Well it go away? I'm so glad I found your Channel.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Hopefully this will all slowly diminish. It depends a lot on how damaged the nerve is. Can take up to 6 months for normal feeling to completely come back is surgery is successful.

[@pcasella8492]

I'm one week post op. Same no one has said anything about stretching massage. Still numbess in mediun nerve area.

[@zsuzsacsernak6489]

awesome video. thank you so much. i have had a few hand therapy sessions after my hand surgery and this video is just so much more useful than my actual " treatment " visits. it's amazing what good instruction can do. i feel i have done some of the recommended exercises just on my own , because it feels right, but this video series makes it clearer. much appreciated.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

You are very welcome. Glad I could help

[@glouiz340]

Thank you so much for your videos. I had bilateral carpal tunnel release surgery on 27th September (today, is 8th Oct). I wasn't given any instructions by the surgeon. I've been searching for information on what to do and your videos are very helpful 😀

[@RONFRENCHOT]

So glad I could help ron

[@MicheleMaBelle67]

Thanks for the great advice.

[@carolpeterson3538]

Thank you for the information. I'm 3wks post OP. So far doing good!

[@ironaddict247]

Thank you😊

[@rebeccapost8749]

Thank you so much for your wonderful information! I had carpal tunnel release surgery 9/22/2017 and I'm still having quite a bit of issue with pain -- BUT I am also a brittle diabetic and I also have arthritis and neuropathy in both wrists as well. (My left wrist also has the carpal tunnel issue) ... I know that it takes a bit longer to heal ... I am going to give these exercises a try and praying for good and awesome results! Thank you once again and God bless!

[@RONFRENCHOT]

I hope the videos help. If you have questions please feel free to ask. Ron

[@darianjenkins2936]

Watching this in order to help get some ideas for my protocol for my pretend patient with CTS open release for school. I'm a PTA student and this was really helpful! Thanks for the great content.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Glad I could help. Message me if I can be of more assistance to you. Ron

[@RONFRENCHOT]

glad I could help. Let me know if can be of more assistance to you. Ron

[@kendyjohnson2660]

This helped me so much. Thank u!!!!

[@RONFRENCHOT]

your welcome

[@najooy70]

Thank you so much, the message and exercise help me a lot.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

you are welcome. Glad I could help

[@teresabetancourt4734]

Thank you so much. Your video and, your know how has helped greatly. I am in your debt..

[@RONFRENCHOT]

You are very welcome. Glad I could help. Ron

[@TealStarSusan]

Thank you for sharing these videos. I’m a Brit that lives in northern Portugal and am waiting for a hip replacement. I had painful stiff joints but blamed it on arthritis. Suddenly the pain in my right hand, thumb wrist got so bad and after the nerve tests my neurosurgeon told me I needed surgery. On them both. That was eight days ago. I was given twilight sleep anaesthesia as well as local. My right hand middle and ring fingers were hot. And still are hot. They are also pretty numb and now feel like I’ve scalded them..they sting and touching cloth etc feels really sensitive. I am guessing that that is the nerves healing! My left hand isn’t too bad, despite being ‘worse’ on the nerve test. But as my right is my dominant hand I had more pain in it pre surgery and now post surgery. I got no exercises to do, and won’t be having my stitches out until Friday - that’s another 5 days time. I was actually told to ‘rest them’...which as an ex nurse I find a bit odd. I’m going to go easy and start with your first video.. Thank you once again, I really appreciate the help!

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Hello from america, I hope the videos help. Burning sensations are usually nerve related and hopefully will calm down. Sometimes, gentle rubbing of the affected area helps sooth the nerves

[@TealStarSusan]

@@RONFRENCHOT Thank you so much for your quick reply! And on a Sunday too! You have confirmed my suspicions re the nerves. I’ll continue doing the exercises gently!

[@TealStarSusan]

@@RONFRENCHOT It’s me again! Sorry to bother you. My middle and ring finger on my right hand are still very numb. A fraction led but not much. The scalded sensation has more or less gone - except between the two inner faces of the two fingers oddly enough. Oh and the pads. My touch typing is all over the place with that right hand! When I open up my hand, looking at the palm, the fingers all a little stretched out..I can feel a gentle electrical buzz through the numb two and through the centre of my palm. I can use little scissors on paper, but need to strengthen my hand further! Massaging the wounds doesn’t hurt but obviously the skin is sensitive. But massaging the fleshy base of thumbs is a sort of deep bruised feeling. Left hand continues to be much better than the right. I guess I’m healing but not as fast as I’d hoped. I’d go for physio but...I’m in quarantine here for the next little while! I’d be grateful for any thoughts! Thanks again and keep safe! 😷❤️😷

[@RONFRENCHOT]

@@TealStarSusan Hi Susan: The median nerve, which is the one involved in carpal tunnel, innervates the thumb, index and middle finger and on some, the inside of the ring finger. It all depends on how much damage was done to the nerve before having it released. It can take up to a year on some folks to get back all the sensation. You can help it by rubbing different textures on numb area. So use a terry clothe rag, a cold spoon, your jeans and even uncooked rice. Introducing various sensations may assist in "waking up the nerves. That soreness at the base of the thumb is fairly normal, heat might help that.

[@TealStarSusan]

@@RONFRENCHOT thank you ! Only my index finger and thumb were numb before surgery. That was gone instantly after surgery but I was left with the new fingers being numb. I will definitely keep trialling the various textures - even though touching any surfaces from velvet to rough towelling really is super sensitive...even stroking my cats! 😂 Sounds like a good plan. I’ll be ringing my surgeon too this week. I really appreciate you stopping by to answer me. Keep safe! 😷❣️❤️❣️😷

[@lanternaBGD]

Hi Ron, thanks for the clear instructions nd explanations about the recovery after CT surgery. Unfortunately, I didn't get any instructions or advice what to do after the surgery by my surgeon nor my physician. I have no option but to depend on KZbin. I had no clue about massaging the scar until I saw your video so I started it kind of late, two weeks after the surgery. However, I would like to get that exercising "tool" to gain the strength. My both hands lost the strength due the horrible pain and numbness before the surgery, it will take a long time to recover. Once my right-hand recovery must do the left one. I waited too long:( Unfortunately, English is not my first language and I can't get the correct email address you gave us. Once again thanks for the clear explanation as to why and how:)

[@RONFRENCHOT]

I'm glad this video helped. If you would like to email me at [e-mail], I can help you find the right hand exerciser for you. Ron French, OT, CHT

[@lanternaBGD]

Hi Ron, I sent you email the same day you replied (thanks a lot!). Hope you got it.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Hi Billy,, Sorry for taking so long to get back with you. Sounds like you may be 3-4 weeks post surgery now. If so, you have probably noticed things are getting better with your hand. If so, you may be ready to begin strengthening. If you are still swelling, use ice pack and elevation 3-5x/day until swelling recedes. If your scar is tight, use vitamin E oil after your massage and rub into scar. If you want the hand exerciser you can call my office at 1-731-642-0778 on any mornig or M,W,F afternoon. cloed for lunch between 11 and 1;00 central time. It is 20 dollars plus 5 dollars shipping. My office manager can take all your info et you can pay by credit card. If you have any more questions please fell free to contact me. Ron French OT, CHT.

[@lanternaBGD]

Thanks Ron. Today is exactly 4 weeks since surgery. No swelling except a bit around the incision. Definitely better ever day but too slow. Can't bend in a proper fist, mild numbing and tingling often and holding anything heavier than coffee mug is challenging. The left hand is so overworked don't know which one bothers me more now:) Will contact your office thanks a lot!!

[@RONFRENCHOT]

hi Billy Just wodering ho your hand turned out. Ron

[@paulahardesty4449]

thank you so much. my surgery is in 2 weeks. I will be doing all my exercises through you. You know what is wild - My dad ran bass tournaments when I grew up and we went to Paris, TN. Im trying to remember what the name of the lake was. HA. crazy

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Your very welcome. It is Kentucky Lake

[@lisaluv2sing]

M

[@ginpalmbch]

It was the most painful experience of my life. I have had many different surgery, but the carpal tunnel was the absolute worst. It’s been over a year and my fingers are still numb. I still can’t hold anything in my hands they drop the pain will not go away it is the worst awful I have ever experienced and I do not recommend it.

[@llindaperkins310]

thank you for explained the exercise so i can do them

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Your welcome. Glad I could help

[@RONFRENCHOT]

I hope they help.

[@gregkirkland3468]

“If you’re a lady, you will feel it while you are making the bed” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@wackomcnutty9519]

Wow, I’m almost 2 months post op and after 2 post op visits, my doctor prescribed nothing to help me regain my strength or motility until I called and asked for PT. My hand hurts so much (I also had surgery on 2 trigger fingers at the same time as the carpal tunnel surgery) and I think I have so much scar tissue, it might be too late. I cannot fully open or close my fist, and cannot do simple things such as wringing a wash cloth or turning a doorknob. Thank you for this video!

[@RONFRENCHOT]

soak your hand in hot water while working it by opening and closing. This should help with stiffness

[@prnsseve3816]

very helpful, ty!

[@RONFRENCHOT]

:) TY

[@romansroad2007]

I am getting my right hand done this Monday in San Diego California USA at Scripps Torry Pines Doctor. My right hand hurts like hell or prusser. I hope my surgery goes well. I'm nervous about it but I need something to help my pain.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

It is normal to feel nervous before any surgery. I'm sure things will go well, it is a relatively uncomplicated surgery and the majority are very successful in relieving symptoms.

[@sarahbowman9329]

Hi Ron, Thank you very much for posting this information I’ve been following all your instructions and a week and a half post op the hand is feeling great, I wish you could come and work for the NHS. Just a quick question if that’s okay? When can I restart swimming, yoga, knitting, just doing my regular activities? Thank you again.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

You can swim when wound is closed completely. You can start regular activities, as tolerated, now. Just start easy and build up. By the way, what is NHS?

[@sarahbowman9329]

RON FRENCH Hi Ron, Thank you so much for your prompt reply, it’s much appreciated, NHS = National Health Service (UK) fantastic service, you would be a very welcome addition! Very best wishes, Sarah.

[@4everachild]

I had surgery the 30th of July, the stitches out the 9th and saw the therapist on the 19th for 1 visit only. She then gave me a list of exercises to do at home. Is a 1 visit all that I need or should I ask for more? I am doing the exercises that she recommended and the only time I really have trouble is pouring things from jug or pot .. Any recomendations?

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Sounds like your doing well. Continue with exercises

[@lilshorty14]

Hi just had my stitches out today when should i start the massage i have a long incision in middle of my palm all the way past wrist thank you for the video

[@RONFRENCHOT]

if steri strips are on, wait until they fall off. You need to wait until wound is closed.

[@07roadking43]

What about numbness my fingers are just as numb as they were before surgery also they feel like there going to blow thru my skin but they dont look swollen im 14 days post surgery any advise you can give me would be greatly appreciated !!!!!!!!!!

[@RONFRENCHOT]

sorry to take so long to answer. Been on vacation. The numbness can take up to 6 months to go away if the nerve was damaged badly. Your Dr. can clue you in better on this since he seen the amount of damage. Unfortunately, 10 to 15% of these surgeries are not successful. I would still ice my hand if fingers felt like that.

[@MTR1965]

Hello, in how many months, can u recover totally after surgery and therapy?

[@RONFRENCHOT]

4-6

[@batistagraca5342]

Sorry to bother Dr again but will I go back to doing push-ups and holding dumbbells after the surgery? I keep thinking that if they cut my retinaculum, the nerve will be exposed...

[@sarahthiessen5858]

Thank you for sharing this information. I am just over 4 weeks post surgery. Noticing the tenderness you mentioned relating to the carpal bones below the transverse carpal ligament. Will that ease and go away eventually with regular massaging? At the moment can not put full pressure on that heal part of the hand. Thanks in advance, Sarah

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Yes, it should go away with massaging and time

[@RossiGucci]

Ainda responde

[@DerbyMom]

How frequently do you recommend massaging the hand after the incision closes and the stitches are removed? How long should each massage "session" last? I just got my stitches out this past week and am increasing my hand exercises to try to avoid long-term problems. I also have the same surgery scheduled for my other hand within the next two weeks, so I want to be sure I'm proactive with both hands during my recovery. Also, how long after surgery before the internal scarring become permanent and irreversible? I'm just wondering if I should massage my hand for a period of days, weeks or months. Any recommendations regarding how long of a time period I should massage my hands to minimize internal scar tissue?

[@RONFRENCHOT]

About 3 times per day should be sufficient. For about 1-2 minutes and back off some if soreness worsens

[@DerbyMom]

Thank you very much for your recommendation.

[@Stingrae57]

For how long after stitches are out though... like 2 weeks or 3 months or what? TYIA. 😊

[@DerbyMom]

@@Stingrae57 Hello. I just saw your question. I’m not sure what the author of the post would recommend, but I’m now about 5 years out from my surgeries. If I remember correctly I massaged the scars on my palms daily for the first 2-3 weeks post-op. I figured if any scar tissue was going to form during the healing process it would probably be within the first month or so after the surgery. I wish you well!

[@sweetlifecake]

any suggestions for regaining grip strength? I am 4 weeks post operative. grip is very weak. when is a good time to work on it?

[@RONFRENCHOT]

At four weeks out it should be okay to begin strengthening. In my clinic I use a deluxe hand exerciser. It uses rubber bands to create resistance and you can add or remove bands to increase or decrease the resistance. The deluxe model has a padded grip that protects the palm. You can find them online at a therapy shop, a place like amazon, or your local hand therapy clinic. Just remember to start slowly and gradually build up your strength. Doing too much too fast can cause pain. I usually begin my patients with two-bands, doing 3 sets of 10, three times a day. Ron French, OT, CHT

[@mariemichelleso1719]

Hi, I found your video on the first 10 days after surgery very useful. It's day 14 for me and stitches are out. I had endoscopic surgery with 2 incisions - on the palm and wrist. Will it help to still massage the base of the palm where the carpal ligament is supposed to be fibrosing even if I don't have a scar/incision there ? Thank you !

[@RONFRENCHOT]

once it is closed, it is always good to massage a surgical scar.

[@renelockard]

I need that thing you used plz Sir

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Go to shoulderandhandtherapycenter.com click on visit hand therapy store and scroll down. You will see it there

[@memomedina5661]

Hello I just had surgery 6 weeks ago. I Wii do the exercise you suggest I would like to know what exercises you recommend for De Quervains on my right thumb it’s so painful.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Depending on how bad the symptoms are dictates therapy. For constant high pain patients I recommend splinting with a thumb spica splint. Also massaging the area deeply and stretching the thumb may help

[@Ace.D.Portogas]

I had surgery about 10 days ago but I still feel a pins and needles type feeling in my palm and up my fingers including my thumb. Is this normal also my middle and index finger are slightly swollen.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Yes, numbness and tingling can last up to 6 months or so, depending on how much the nerve was damaged. Swelling is also fairly normal. Use ice and elevate the hand for 15 minutes 3 times per day until swelling subsides

[@Ace.D.Portogas]

@@RONFRENCHOT another question in regards to the exercises performed in this video. How many repetitions should I do and how many times a day? Thanks for the info my pins and needles have been decreasing as the days pass.

[@lmanesaflala7053]

I had 25 stitches in my wrist and my doctor told me to do exercises but i am afraid and it hurts so much what should i do?

[@RONFRENCHOT]

Why did you have the stitches? This will dictate treatment.

[@najooy70]

25 stitches for Carpal Tunnel surgery? I made the surgery with 5 stiches

[@susannahedwards8230]

You lost me at " if you are a lady" what men can't and don't make beds??? Clicking out now you have lost credibility in my eyes.

[@RONFRENCHOT]

I give this information as a curtesy for those who can't afford or have no access to therapy. I make no money from this. For you to get angry over some PC issue as you look for free information is petty

[@susannahedwards8230]

@@RONFRENCHOT for you to think just cause I can't afford to see a Dr is not permission to be sexist mate! A Dr should know better then to class activities by gender this speaks volumes as to how good you are at your job and there is a lot of rubbish advice out on the internet so we screen hard for any sign the person is not good at there job. You made it easy. I'm giving you free advice / training so you may learn something. My credentials are I've been a female for 43 years and have unfortunately dealt with many drs who have as you call it "PC" disorders ....maybe you should stop and think or when your wife or female maid is making your bed ask them to vet your videos as you seem not qualified to speak to the opposite sex!