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Carpal Tunnel Decompression - Advice Following Your Operation:
Dressing and Stitches:
Please keep the dressing clean and dry for 10 days. Arrangements will be made for you to attend the out-patients department at Kingston General Hospital 10 days after your operation for removal of your dressing and stitches.
Pain and Swelling:
To avoid pain, swelling and bleeding PLEASE keep your hand(s) elevated;
a: In a sling during the day.
b: On some pillows during the night.
If your fingers swell, go red, white, or blue please seek medical advice by telephoning the contact number (see below)
Pain Relief:
Paracetamol or something similar should give adequate relief, but do not take Asprin based pain-killers. Please ensure you follow the recommended dose on the container.
Exercise:
Please exercise all you fingers and shoulder(s) with full movements hourly during the day until you are seen in the out-patients department. DO NOT do any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise using your hand until you are seen in the clinic in about 10 days after your operation.
Work:
You will be off work for at least 3 weeks. A self certificate can be submitted for the first week then you will require a sick certificate from you family doctor.
Driving:
You will be unable to drive for at least 3 weeks.
General Anaesthetic:
If you have had a general anaesthetic today we advise you not to drive a vehicle, operate machinery, take alcoholic drinks or make important decisions for 24 hours.
Should you need to consult your GP (Family Doctor) with a problem related to your operation within 3 weeks of surgery we would appreciate you contacting the Day Surgery Unit. This will enable us to monitor your progress. Please ask to speak to the liason nurse (Tel: 01482 675066)
Should you ned any further help or advice please telephone the Day Surgery Unit, 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday (Tel: 01482 675066) At other times, only in an emergency please contact Ward 5/6 at Kingston General Hospital (Tel: 01482 676334)
The Day Surgery Unit is continually striving to improve patient information. If you feel we could improve our information we would be pleased to hear from you.
