Pain w/swelling and Carpal Tunnel surg.
 

I had carpal tunnel surgery done on my right hand mid September last year, my left hand was done early October. The left hand is fine no problems. I can touch my pinky to my thumb fine... everything. NO falling asleep eather or tingling. But my right hand is a different story.

I have swelling in the fatty area between my forfinger and thumb down into my wrist. And right along the whole thumb just under the nail into the wrist where it rotates, I have pain. The forefinger and thumb also get quite stiff. I've never had arthritis problems in my hand... yet. And this didnt start up till after my surgery. It will swell more the more I use it. Normally its about twice the size of my other hand and if I use it more about 3x's the size. I also cannot touch my thumb to my pinky finger on my rt hand. Would this or could this be nerve damage? Or something else?

I mentioned it to the surgeon when I had my 2 wk appt with him. He said this could take up to 6 months to heal. To give it a chance. Ok.. so this took me to March ... still not better. I had called to make an appt , they could get me one in April. Well April 2nd my husband got locked out of his job. No insurance. Thankfully he will be starting a new job July 7th. So we'll have insurance in 30 days after that. I just wish I had an idea of what I may be dealing with here. Have any of you had this problem?

Thanks so much for reading . Just lost as to what is causing this.

Hugz
Beth

Well, I haven't experienced those problems...yet, so I can't really help. I've only just decided to have carpal tunnel surgery myself, and I'm always worrying about things like that going wrong, so maybe I shouldn't have read this thread!:o lol
But I really hope they can find the problem with your hand and hopefully fix it. It could be nerve damage, or even an infection, but I hope it's not.
~Jaime~

Is there any skin color or temperature changes with the swelling?
or pain?

Since this showed up after the surgery, I'm wondering if a vein might have gotten compressed or pinched in the area.

How long does it take for the swelling to go down after you stop using your hand.

What happens when you hold your hands up like a " stick em up" pose?
Do they turn white or go numb?

Ohh gosh Jamie I'm sorry I even mentioned it now. My other hand is perfect... so just pay attention to that story ok?!?!? LOL:D I'm sure it will all go fine hon. Just do/ dont do what they say.

Jo~ After looking at your questions, i have been paying attention more to what its doing. Right now the top part of the fatty area between my forefinger and thumb is coldish red around the fingers too., and the bottom is warmer. When I do the stick em up thingy, Its sending shooting pain thru the whole area including my wrist. I do get a tingly/pain like feeling there too, And its especially making my forefinger very stiff feeling and it does turn a little more whiter. Its very hard for me to stretch out my forefinger also , and to bend my middle finger. The swelling usually goes down a bit over night. Like if its the 3x... it might go down to 2 or 1.5 x's. I've also noticed when I use my mouse alot, my hand gets colder and its got the tingling feeling like before the surgery.

I never thought of a compressed vein. I was thinking more nerve though with how the pain shoots up in there. Thanks for the questions and replying. I just could not think of what could be going on with it.

Hugz
Beth

May be Nerve Damage or Compression
 

I would get this checked out. It may be nerve compression or damage.

Nerves take a long time to heal.

Make sure to give us an update.

Good luck!

I never thought of a compressed vein. I was thinking more nerve though with how the pain shoots up in there. Thanks for the questions and replying. I just could not think of what could be going on with it.

Hugz
Beth[/QUOTE]

swelling after this surgery is not that uncommon. during surgery, a compressed vessel--usually lymphatic ducts--cause edema in the area, which can be exacerbated by more activity. compressed nerves cause pain and pin feelings and takes about 2-3 mm/month to get better (especially as we get older). it is sometimes helpful to take extra b-vitamins, especially b12 to help with the nerve pain and to make sure healing goes well. if edema occurs after activity, then compression brace--like burn victims wear--can help.