How long could it take to recover from carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel surgery?

Depends on severity: Somewhat different for the two. Carpal tunnel involving the median nerve at the wrist has a very quick recovery with many people feeling better immediately after surgery and returning to work sometimes in the same week or at most 3 or 4 weeks later. Cubital tunnel is very different involving the ulnar nerve at the elbow and sometimes requiring transposition of the nerve. Recovery is longer.

Open or endoscopic?: Depending on the surgical technique, recovery is between 2-6 weeks. There is minimal difference between the recovery times for endoscopic and open carpal tunnel releases. However, there are many options for cubital tunnel syndrome. Endoscopic cubital tunnel release has a 1-2 week recovery time. Submuscular ulnar nerve transposition requires 6 weeks of restricted motion, followed by therapy.

1 week to 3 months: The majority of my patients are back to work with unrestricted activities in 8 days after endoscopic carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel release. Most can do light duties at their desk the next day. Now if they have more labor intensive jobs or it's a workman's compensation injury, then it could take longer.

6 and 12 weeks: About 6 weeks for a carpal tunnel release and about 12 weeks for a cubital tunnel release.