Patient education: Carpal tunnel surgery – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? — Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes pain, numbness, and sometimes weakness in the fingers and hands (figure 1). It happens when a nerve in the wrist called the "median nerve" gets pinched or squeezed.

The median nerve goes through a tunnel in the wrist. This tunnel is formed by the bones of the wrist and a tough band of tissue called a "ligament."

What is carpal tunnel surgery? — Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome involves cutting the ligament that stretches across the wrist. This makes more room in the tunnel for the median nerve.

How long it takes for you to recover, and what you need to do, depends on which type of surgery you had. If you had endoscopic or ultrasound-guided surgery, you might be able to return to your normal activities sooner. With open surgery, it usually takes longer to recover.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

For the first 24 hours:

●Do not drive or operate heavy or dangerous machinery.

●Do not make any important decisions or sign any important papers.

●Do not drink alcohol of any kind.

You should also:

●Prop your hand on pillows, keeping it raised above the level of your heart. This can help lessen pain and swelling.

●Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. You can do this a few times a day.

●Take care of your incision – You might have stitches, skin staples, surgical glue, or a special skin tape on your incision. If you had endoscopic surgery, you might have more than 1 incision.

•Keep your incision dry and covered with a bandage for the first 2 to 3 days after surgery. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your incision dry.

•Once you no longer need to keep your incision dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put your incision underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.

•After you wash your incision, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on the incision. They will also tell you if you need to cover your incision with a bandage or gauze.

•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incision or bandage.

●Follow your doctor's directions about moving your hand and wrist – You might be asked to keep your wrist still for a little while, but it is good to move your fingers. Once your swelling has improved, increase your wrist movement as instructed. This will help with strength and flexibility.

●Increase your activity slowly – Avoid heavy lifting, sports, and swimming for at least a week or 2. (Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to avoid these or other activities.)

●Eat when you are hungry – If you have an upset stomach, it might help to start with clear liquids and foods that are easy to digest, like soup, pudding, toast, or eggs. You can eat other types of foods when you feel ready. If your doctor or nurse gave you specific instructions about what to eat or avoid, follow them.

●Use a stool softener to help prevent constipation, if needed. This is a common problem if you take opioid pain medicines. Follow all instructions for taking your pain medicines.

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor will want to see you again after surgery to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.

If you have stitches or staples, you might need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or skin tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You have redness or swelling around the incisions from your surgery.

●You have nausea or vomiting for more than 2 days after going home.

●You have more numbness or weakness in your hand.

More on this topic

Patient education: Carpal tunnel surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Carpal tunnel syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Hand pain (The Basics)