What can i expect after carpal tunnel surgery?

A sore palm: If you are having open carpal tunnel release, you will likely have a sore , painful palm for 2-4 weeks. Thereafter you will steadily recover and return to your usual activities. Most patients (80%+) will have a good result in term of improvements of the hand numbness, palm pain, night hand/forearm pain, and even weakness. Ask your doctor for more details.

Usually relief: Typically results from carpal tunnel surgery are good. That is, symptoms resolve with relatively little down time. While surgeons differ in their protocol, in my practice the operation is done under local anesthesia with light sedation and the patient can use the hand for most activities right after surgery. Stitches come out at two weeks and the patient leaves with a band aid. That's usually it.

Relief: After successful surgery, you should have relief of your symptoms. Depending on the condition of the nerve beforehand, you should be able to make a full recovery of you have not sustained chronic nerve damage.

Just slow down: For most patients, they are able to gradually resume most normal activities around 6 weeks after surgery. Most do not require occupational therapy on the hand. However, ot can be helpful if the recovery is slow. Your hand will be sore and possibly swollen for the first few weeks. Fortunately, most patients have a very good outcome.