Discharge Instructions for Carpal Tunnel Repair

You had a procedure called carpal tunnel repair. Carpal tunnel repair is a surgical procedure that helps relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve in the wrist is compressed and irritated by a tight band of tissue on the palm of the hand. This causes numbness and pain in the fingers and hand. Carpal tunnel repair relieves the compression of the nerve when the surgeon surgically cuts the tight band of tissue releasing the pressure. Here are instructions that will help you care for your arm and wrist when you are at home.

Home Care

  • Avoid gripping objects tightly or lifting with your affected arm.

  • Wear your bandage, splint, or cast as directed by your doctor.

  • Always keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry and clean.

  • When showering, cover your wrist with plastic to always keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry. Shower as necessary.  

  • Use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas—or something similar—wrapped in a thin towel on your wrist to reduce swelling for the first 48 hours. Leave the ice pack on for 20 minutes; then take it off for 20 minutes. Repeat as needed.

  • Keep your arm elevated above your heart for 24-48 hours after surgery.

  • Do the exercises you learned in the hospital, or as instructed by your doctor.

  • Take pain medication as directed.

  • Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay. Never drive while you are taking narcotic pain medication.

  • Ask your doctor when you can return to work. If your job requires heavy lifting, you may not be able to begin working again for several weeks.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • A splint, cast, or dressing that has gotten wet

  • Increased bleeding or drainage from the incision

  • Increased swelling in your fingers

  • Opening of the incision

  • Fever above 101°F or shaking chills

  • Any new numbness in the fingers or thumb

  • Blue hand or fingers

  • Increased pain with or without activity

  • Pain not helped by your pain medicine

  • Increased redness, tenderness, or swelling of the incision

  • Foul smell from your incision or dressing

  • Any new problems or concerns

Discharge Instructions for Carpal Tunnel Repair

You had a procedure called carpal tunnel repair. Carpal tunnel repair is a surgical procedure that helps relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve in the wrist is compressed and irritated by a tight band of tissue on the palm of the hand. This causes numbness and pain in the fingers and hand. Carpal tunnel repair relieves the compression of the nerve when the surgeon surgically cuts the tight band of tissue releasing the pressure. Here are instructions that will help you care for your arm and wrist when you are at home.

Home Care

  • Avoid gripping objects tightly or lifting with your affected arm.

  • Wear your bandage, splint, or cast as directed by your doctor.

  • Always keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry and clean.

  • When showering, cover your wrist with plastic to always keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry. Shower as necessary.  

  • Use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas—or something similar—wrapped in a thin towel on your wrist to reduce swelling for the first 48 hours. Leave the ice pack on for 20 minutes; then take it off for 20 minutes. Repeat as needed.

  • Keep your arm elevated above your heart for 24-48 hours after surgery.

  • Do the exercises you learned in the hospital, or as instructed by your doctor.

  • Take pain medication as directed.

  • Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay. Never drive while you are taking narcotic pain medication.

  • Ask your doctor when you can return to work. If your job requires heavy lifting, you may not be able to begin working again for several weeks.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • A splint, cast, or dressing that has gotten wet

  • Increased bleeding or drainage from the incision

  • Increased swelling in your fingers

  • Opening of the incision

  • Fever above 101°F or shaking chills

  • Any new numbness in the fingers or thumb

  • Blue hand or fingers

  • Increased pain with or without activity

  • Pain not helped by your pain medicine

  • Increased redness, tenderness, or swelling of the incision

  • Foul smell from your incision or dressing

  • Any new problems or concerns

Discharge Instructions for Carpal Tunnel Repair

You had a procedure called carpal tunnel repair. Carpal tunnel repair is a surgical procedure that helps relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve in the wrist is compressed and irritated by a tight band of tissue on the palm of the hand. This causes numbness and pain in the fingers and hand. Carpal tunnel repair relieves the compression of the nerve when the surgeon surgically cuts the tight band of tissue releasing the pressure. Here are instructions that will help you care for your arm and wrist when you are at home.

Home Care

  • Avoid gripping objects tightly or lifting with your affected arm.

  • Wear your bandage, splint, or cast as directed by your doctor.

  • Always keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry and clean.

  • When showering, cover your wrist with plastic to always keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry. Shower as necessary.  

  • Use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas—or something similar—wrapped in a thin towel on your wrist to reduce swelling for the first 48 hours. Leave the ice pack on for 20 minutes; then take it off for 20 minutes. Repeat as needed.

  • Keep your arm elevated above your heart for 24-48 hours after surgery.

  • Do the exercises you learned in the hospital, or as instructed by your doctor.

  • Take pain medication as directed.

  • Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay. Never drive while you are taking narcotic pain medication.

  • Ask your doctor when you can return to work. If your job requires heavy lifting, you may not be able to begin working again for several weeks.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • A splint, cast, or dressing that has gotten wet

  • Increased bleeding or drainage from the incision

  • Increased swelling in your fingers

  • Opening of the incision

  • Fever above 101°F or shaking chills

  • Any new numbness in the fingers or thumb

  • Blue hand or fingers

  • Increased pain with or without activity

  • Pain not helped by your pain medicine

  • Increased redness, tenderness, or swelling of the incision

  • Foul smell from your incision or dressing

  • Any new problems or concerns
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