in december i am having a minor operation to correct carpal tunnel syndrome in both my wrists.
has anyone had this done, and if so how long was the recovery period? i am a self-employed tradie and need to know approximately so that i can book jobs for january.
the surgeon told me 4 weeks to full recovery, but i would like to hear some personal accounts as this sounds a bit short.
thanks, scott
My mum had it done not long ago on one wrist. The procedure itself wasn't too bad - in and out the same day. But the recovery took a few weeks before they took the bandaging off. Even so, she was warned that it'd take months before she got full strength back in it. Mind you, she is in her 70s.
Reminds me, I better call her soon. 
My dad had it done, it was nasty. Took about eight weeks from memory before he could do anything.
4 weeks! 
... surely they`d do one wrist at a time, if so that might take some mending?
thanks. the surgeon has me booked in to get both done at the same time but i think i might just get the worst one done and see how it goes.
,
Regardless, do all your physio to the letter, take glucosamine / fish oil and calcium and have good diet with no alcohol (increases swelling)
Several years ago a colleague, also a tradie who ran a business employing 6-8 people had same thing, both hands - could hardly hold steering wheel.
Doc & surgeon recomm cut & rehab...not v happy with 6-8 weeks off.
Chinese employee suggested seeing his chinese & trad trained doc.
Gave him a repulsive brew to drink & acupuncture & massage....took several months to work but 16 years later, still hasn't had to go the cut.
Told another friend who was due to have both wrists done....
she went thru same process...fixed one wrist, but not the other.
if it works for you, then try a REPUTABLE alternative.
Explore the alternatives - objectively - & make an informed (multi-discipline) decision
I went and saw my doc a few years ago, sore shoulder and tingle in both arms...
He said Carpal tunnel, need to operate on both, no doubt about it!! His words..
I asked my Osteopath if he had some treatment, he said he would try.. turned out my neck was out and after an adjustment no more tingle or pain...
Moral is get an opinion or two before going under the knife..
Uni of Qld are currently doing studies along the lines of what KK has described. They seem to think a lot of carpal tunnel problems are relly caused in the neck.
Anyway, I understand it is around 6 months to get strength back after the surgery, I would be investigating alternative treatements if only for peace of mind, all our bidies are different.
Edit: A few spelling mistakes there! Cold and Flu Tablets must be doing more than I thought...
