Will carpel tunnel force me into a new career? i'm a barber and developed carpal tunnel after fifteen years. is there any chance i can go back to being a barber after carpal tunnel surgery or is it time to find a new profession?

Absolutely. : Absolutely. The recovery from the surgery is relative rapid. The incision heals in a matter of a couple weeks, and pain from surgery is nearly resolved by that point as well. This depends on whether the surgery is done endoscopically or with an open incision. Typically, an endoscopic release has a smaller incision, which mean more rapid healing and recovery. On the other hand, an open release performed by a very skilled and experienced surgeon could have an incision not that much larger than that. The numbness, tingling and pain of carpal tunnel will take longer to resolve. How long is entirely dependant on how long you have had the symptoms and how severe they are. In about 20% of cases, symptoms are incompletely resolved or recur after surgery.

No career change: Carpal tunnel surgery permanently changes the anatomy of the carpal tunnel so reoccurrent symptoms, even if returning to the same job, is unusual. So fixing the carpal tunnel should get you back to being a barber -.

EXPECT to return: Expect to return to your previous activity fully having carpal tunnel or needing carpal tunnel surgery is not a reason to expect a change in job or other activity.It is not a rason to expect disablity. It is not a reason to expect career change.