Recovery Time for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery

About 200,000 carpal tunnel surgeries are performed annually in the United States. Although alternative treatments, such as physical therapy, can be helpful for some patients, many people must resort to the surgery to relief the symptoms. Generally, the surgery involves cutting open the wrist and disconnecting the carpal ligament from the nerve to reduce the pressure on the nerve. Below is some information about the recovery time following the surgery.

Period of Incapacitation

• Many patients opt to have the surgery performed on both wrists at the same time so they only have to go under the knife once. However, these patients will be incapacitated for at least two weeks following the procedure. Patients who have one wrist done at a time can still take care of themselves.

Work

• Because carpal tunnel syndrome is often work-related, patients typically need to stay out of work for several weeks. Depending on the type of work the patient does, he or she may need to not work for at least one month.

Grip Strength

• One of the problems associated with carpal tunnel syndrome is an inability to grip effectively. For most patients, this problem persists for at least six weeks after the surgery. Grip strength does usually return within 25 weeks following the procedure.

Physical Therapy

• Patients normally need to undergo physical therapy after the surgery. Studies have shown that such therapy can speed up recovery times and improve the strength of the muscles, which are often weakened thanks to the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Maximum Improvement

• Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery may not bring about full improvement. About 20 percent of patients continue to have some pain in their wrist years after the procedure. Studies have shown that patients reach the maximum improvement of their condition within 10 months of the procedure.