Post Carpal Tunnel Decompression - Wound Care
Today your sutures were removed.
1. Steristrips: - Often steristrips are applied to the wound. Don’t pull the steristrips off (they assist in holding your wound together). Let them fall off. They can stay on for a few days to add extra support to the wound.
Endoscopic Day 1 Day 9 Open Day 10
2. Keep the hand dry for 24 hrs after the sutures are removed. You can then get the hand wet in a shower. Avoid baths and pools for another 4 days.
3. Please note that everyone is different and Recovery periods are extremely variable.
4. If your symptoms were only present at night then most people notice resolution of their symptoms immediately post operation.
5. If the numbness was constant then the sensation may never fully recover or may recover over a period of 9 -12 months.
6. Pillar Pain: The major problem with the surgery is persistent weakness or aching pain in the base of the hand that may take about 3 months to settle down. (Pillar pain). About 10% of people notice some permanent weakness or pain in the hand following the operation.
7. Dry skin: The skin of the hand may be dry after the operation because the antiseptic used to prepare your hand contains alcohol. Apply Sorbolene cream to your hand around the dressings immediately post op and to the rest of the hand after a few days. Apply sorbolene to the wound after 2 weeks and gently massage the wound. This will help to soften the scar.
8. Scar: - At 10 days the scar usually looks good but after 3 weeks it goes a purple colour . This is NORMAL wound healing . The scar usually fades to being white after 6 – 12 months.
Open Day 1 Day 10 3 weeks “purple”
9. Activity: - You can return to driving when you are confident that you could turn the wheel in an emergency to save yourself or someone else.
- Avoid lifting more than 1 kg for another 10 days and be careful opening doors and jars.
10. Concerns – If you think the wound is infected or if pain is progressively increasing then return for review.
Most people do not need or want further review after this procedure BUT if you are at all concerned or have any questions please make an appointment to see Dr Myers at any stage for a further post-operative review.