I had carpal tunnel surgery a year ago. todate my middle finger still feel numb stiff & swells most days. i am told to be patient is this normal?

No: It is fairly unlikely you will get any further improvement if it has been an entire year after surgery. There are a number of reasons a patient might still have symptoms. One of the more common reasons is the presence of another condition, such as a pinched nerve in the neck, which would still be there after a carpal tunnel release. A detailed exam and appropriate tests can find the cause.

Not normal, but...: Despite what other Doctors may tell you, slightly less than 50% of all patients with surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome have overall poor results in the short and long term. Isolated symptoms in the middle finger are not normal, either. Please make an appointment to see your Doctor for further evaluation.