Return to work
I have bi-lateral carpal tunnel (underlying cause is inflammatory arthritis of some kind, no more specifc diagnosis) - grade 5 in my right hand and grade 3 in my left hand. I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my right hand earlier this week (Monday 14th). It seems to have been successful in that my symptoms have improved. I've taken the big bandage off and everything looks ok apart a bit of bruising.
Before and after surgery I received mixed messages about how long I should take off work. I work in an office, mainly at a computer. The nurse practitioner at the hosptial said I would be back to work in a couple of days. I was a bit surprised by this but nevertheless I told my boss that I would be probably be back on Thursday. However, the surgeon thought this was too soon and offered me a sick note which I accepted and this states that I'm not fit to work for two weeks.
I'm not under any pressure to go back to work but I would like to return as long as I'm not affecting my chances of recovery in any way. The surgeon said he didn't want me resting my hands on the desk but I've got in the habit of not doing this anyway due to the CT pain/tingling, instead I rest them in my lap or let my arm hand loose. Am I right in saying that it's mainly the would that I need to be careful with?
Given that typing is exercising my fingers and this is supposed to be a "good thing" (I read the last post and reply re post-surgery rest/splinting/exercising) I can't see why I shouldn't return to work as normal as long as I'm careful not to knock the wound/lift anything too heavy. Would you agree with this or can you think of any other reason why I shouldn't return to work on Monday?
I presume this is an open decompression not an endoscopic (keyhole) one? If so then the chief worry in the post-operative period is the danger of re-opening the incision. For people with desk based occupations, especially if not involving intensive typing, the usual reason for not being able to get back to at least partial work quite quickly is not being able to drive there - as driving does require a firm grip on the steering wheel in an emergency. However, I would generally say stick with the advice of the surgeon who did the operation rather than anyone else. There is no concrete scientific evidence to tell us the right thing to do I am afraid. JB
Thanks very much for your reply. It was an open decompression, yes. I don't drive to work (I take a train) but my job does involve a lot of time at the keyboard and using a mouse. The surgeon didn't recommend a particular length of time off - I think the two weeks is just the standard time they give the sick note for. I intend to return a little early but only after seeing my GP - who I hope can assess how the wound is healing and recommend how much keyboard use would be appropriate. This seems prudent after what you have said.
ps I meant mainly the wound I should be careful with!