You likely move your fingers, hands and wrists much more on a regular basis than you realize. However, once you start to feel an ache when you’re texting on your phone or writing on a piece of paper, it becomes abundantly clear how much stress is placed on the upper limb throughout the day. This ache is often a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that develops when there’s compression of the median nerve. This nerve runs from the armpit, down the forearm and through the wrist. Then it branches off into the thumb, index and middle fingers. When it’s compressed, it can cause pain, weakness, and numbness of the wrist, hand and fingers.Â
If you have severe carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms that don’t respond to treatment, it’s possible that you’ll be recommended for carpal tunnel release surgery. After the procedure, physical or hand therapy can play a significant role in helping you return to your day-to-day activities.Â
5 ways that physical or hand therapy can help you recover from carpal tunnel release surgery
Carpal tunnel release surgery alleviates the pressure that’s being placed on the median nerve by cutting the carpal ligament. This tissue makes up the top of the carpal tunnel, a passageway in the wrist. It can take up to six weeks to recover from carpal tunnel release surgery, and physical or hand therapy plays a significant role in the process.
Physical therapy or hand therapy can start soon after your surgery is performed. Here are five benefits of physical or hand therapy for those who've undergone carpal tunnel release surgery:
Reduced pain — As there is with any procedure, there is always the possibility that you’ll experience pain at the surgical site. Pain in the hand and wrist is normal after carpal tunnel release surgery. This comes from factors such as inflammation and irritation as the incision heals. However, pain management is one of the main aspects of physical therapy. Your physical therapist or hand therapist can guide you through exercises and use techniques like manual therapy to alleviate your pain.
Accelerated recovery timeline — Even though you may not be 100% better overnight following the carpal tunnel release surgery, physical or hand therapy can help shorten your recovery timeline so that you can return to your everyday tasks as soon as possible. Your physical therapist or hand therapist may use techniques like guided exercises to boost blood circulation to the affected area. Increased circulation helps the area receive the nutrients and oxygen it needs to heal.
Improved strength — Not only does carpal tunnel syndrome affect the strength of your grip, but so can carpal tunnel release surgery. One of the main goals of physical or hand therapy for surgical rehabilitation is to help you improve the strength of your hand, wrist and fingers. Exercises such as wrist bends and rotations can help your grip strength. They can also help you perform proper movements that don’t exacerbate your symptoms.
Restored wrist and finger range of motion — Stiffness in your wrist and fingers can come from both carpal tunnel syndrome and the release surgery. Your physical therapist or hand therapist can help your upper limb return to its regular mobility. Range of motion allows you to flex, rotate and bend your joints while completing everyday tasks. Your physical or hand therapist can help restore the affected area’s range of motion through targeted exercises, manual therapy techniques and other PT modalities.Â
Reduced risk of scar tissue — It’s always possible for a person to develop scar tissue following a procedure like carpal tunnel release syndrome. The scar tissue is the body’s way of trying to replace the damaged tissue. Scar tissue can often lead to pain or impact nearby nerves. However, physical or hand therapy can help reduce the formation of scar tissue with manual therapy techniques that break it up. Treatments like soft tissue or joint mobilization may be used.
KC Rehab can provide physical therapy after carpal tunnel release surgery
Carpal tunnel release surgery can have a long-term positive impact on your overall quality of life. However, the recovery period can come with some challenges for a few weeks. You may experience reduced grip strength, painful scar tissue and reduced range of motion. It’s important that you start physical or hand therapy soon after your surgery. By starting treatment quickly, you can return to your everyday activities with as little pain and stiffness as possible.
At KC Rehab, we can help you along the recovery process after carpal tunnel release surgery with a personalized treatment plan. We’ll help you in every facet, from pain management to boosted grip strength.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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