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HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury

Before & after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome

Before the operation

After the operation

Dressings

Keep your hand dry when showering by putting it in a plastic bag and taping the top of the bag securely to your skin.

Your discharge letter will include instructions about removing your bandage and your follow-up appointment.

Pain relief

Take two paracetamol (Panadol) every four to six hours. If you need stronger pain relief, take one to two codeine phosphate 30 mg tablets as well. You can take codeine at the same time as you take paracetamol. But do not take more than eight paracetamol and eight codeine phosphate in any 24-hour period.

If you are a day patient you will be given a small supply of paracetamol and codeine phosphate when you are discharged. If you are an in-patient you will be given a prescription when you are discharged.

Exercise and activity

Your surgeon will check how well your hand is moving, and show you some exercises. They may refer you to a hand therapist (or physiotherapist) for more exercises, and to manage your scar.

It is important to gently open and close your fingers to help reduce swelling and stiffness. Start this as soon as you have had your surgery.

To reduce swelling and pain it is important to keep your hand raised (elevated) in the sling you are given, for two to five days. If you have had surgery on both hands you will not be given slings, but make sure you keep your hands raised. Try to keep the affected hand or hands higher than your heart.

You will need to avoid firm grasping or lifting for two to three weeks. You may be off work for up to two weeks, depending on your job. Your surgeon will discuss this with you.

Pain will limit what you can do for around six weeks.

After discharge

If you are having day surgery you need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You will also need to have someone at home with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.

If you have had a general anaesthetic it may affect your judgement for a short time afterwards, so for the next 24 hours you should not:

  • drive
  • drink alcohol
  • exercise
  • handle machines
  • sign legal documents
  • work.

Important

See your GP or after-hours GP if you:

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created May 2015.

Sources

Page reference: 164344

Review key: HICTS-12821