After Carpal Tunnel Surgery
After your surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery room until your release. Your stay in the recovery room may vary from 5 minutes to a few hours depending on the type of anesthesia you received.
Activity: If you were sedated during surgery, DO NOT drive, drink alcohol, sign legal documents, or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after surgery. This does not apply to surgery performed under local anesthesia.
Pain Medications: A prescription for pain medication will be provided upon leaving the recovery room. If the medication prescribed does not adequately relieve your discomfort, please call my office at (402) 390-4111 during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our policy at Methodist Physicians Clinic is to accept requests for new prescriptions and refills only during regular office hours. The on-call doctor will not refill your pain medication. If you feel you need a prescription or a refill outside of these hours, you will need to be seen in an emergency room or office, where a physician can evaluate you.
Follow-Up: A follow-up appointment to return to my office will be provided upon leaving the recovery room. In the interim, should you have any questions or concerns, please call my office at (402) 390-4111.
Complications: Although rare, complications of surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome include the following: inadequate division of the transverse carpal ligament, injuries of the recurrent motor and palmar cutaneous branches of the median nerve, lacerations of the median and ulnar trunk, vascular injuries of the superficial palmar arch, postoperative wound infections, painful scar formation, and complex regional pain syndrome.
Returning to Work: You will receive written instructions indicating your activity limitations. Every consideration will be given in determining your ability to continue working throughout recovery. A “cannot work” status will only be provided in specific situations: no use of both hands, hospitalization, or conditions requiring daily medical treatment. I will determine your restrictions; your employer will determine if you have work to perform. It is the responsibility of you and your employer to determine if work is available that will accommodate the restrictions.