Carpal Tunnel Surgery

I am having surgery on the 30th of October. The doctor said the incision would only be a half an inch. He also said I should have no loss of strength. I have been dealing with symptoms for at least 15 years and it really affects both my climbing and mountain biking, my two favorite things to do. I was told for years by several different practitioners that this was likely in my neck or pectorals muscles. If you think you are having carpal tunnel symptoms just go get nerve testing. I am having the surgery in the nick of time. much longer and i would have started to have muscle deterioration. I will keep you posted. I am nervous about the recovery but am confident it needs to be done now. They are doing both hands at the same time.

I had both done some years ago.  Best thing ever, I was free from all the numbness permanently as soon as I left surgery.  Seems like time away from climbing was only a couple of months.  Edit- it was winter and I wasn't climbing anyway.  I went cross county skiing 5 days after surgery.  Five miles covered going up steep hills and five miles return.  I used the wrist straps on the poles the whole time.  Recovery was easy, just use ice liberally to reduce swelling.  I used it off and on for  six months.

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this post. I am scheduled to have both hands done with open-release on Nov 9 and am super nervous. Would love to hear what it's like to have both hands done from you both-- what's the first week like in terms of taking care of yourself? Do I really need to have someone else wipe my butt? Also, how long until your scars were healed enough to get back on the wall? I will be in the gym since it is winter, but am wondering if it would be foolish to accept an invite to Potrero in mid-january. I dont care if I can't climb hard, I just want to know if I'll be able to climb at all! Doc said my muscle strength and nerve conduction are intact, and to expect about 6 weeks before I can climb again. 

I've had both wrists done, but not at the same time.  I was climbing again as soon as the stitches were removed (2 weeks) and back at full strength in 6-8 weeks.  There is absolutely nothing to recovery on this surgery, assuming no complications (very rare).  You'll be able to use your hands for normal activity right away.  

They gave me drugs for both, but I never took anything, not even OTC pain relievers.  Not needed.

Book your Potrero trip as soon as you see there are no complications such as infection.  You should be fine that far out.

NOTE:  YMMV, depending on the skill off the surgeon.  If you don't have a surgeon who you know comes recommended by others who had the surgery done by him/her, find someone else.

Tim Schafstall wrote: I've had both wrists done, but not at the same time.  I was climbing again as soon as the stitches were removed (2 weeks) and back at full strength in 6-8 weeks.  There is absolutely nothing to recovery on this surgery, assuming no complications (very rare).  You'll be able to use your hands for normal activity right away.  

They gave me drugs for both, but I never took anything, not even OTC pain relievers.  Not needed.

Book your Potrero trip as soon as you see there are no complications such as infection.  You should be fine that far out.

NOTE:  YMMV, depending on the skill off the surgeon.  If you don't have a surgeon who you know comes recommended by others who had the surgery done by him/her, find someone else.

Thanks, Tim! That eased my fear quite a bit!

One week post surgery.

Post very little swelling and no bruising. I had endoscopic surgery with only small incision on my wrists. I left surgery with only bandaids on my wrist. The first few days I had limited use of my hands but they worked. Wiping myself was a little difficult but totally possible. I have worked out 4 out of the last 7 days with light weight with 0 problems. Mostly high intensity cardio. Still can't do pushups even on my knuckles but am able to do static plank no problem.

I am a little concerned about losing the attachment between the two base hand muscles and bowstringing of the tendons but have found very little in the way of documented complications of this.

Meghan: are you having endoscopic or open? If you are having true open where they cut your hand open (up your palm) I would find someone who will do endoscopic with only one incision. From all the research I have done there is a considerable recovery time difference and not at all necessary. I agree with Tim that finding someone who can give you a referral or a doctor who works with climbers is a good idea.

check this out.

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Carpal-Tunnel-Release-through-Mini-Transverse-(-’-s-Abdulhamid/107923f1397bdcc180b30f68ccc0be9e71324fed

I am glad to hear others have had quick recovery and returned to climbing. 

So glad to hear it went well!  The best part is the instant relief from the pain and being able to finally sleep through the night.

Two weeks out from surgery yesterday. Climbed 6 routes up to 5.9 at gym. Even lead a little. All good, I stuck mostly to big jug holds but don’t feel like I lost any strength and hands were not sore today. Plus for the first time my hands were not numb in as long as I can remember.
Still can not do push-ups on palm or knuckles.

Marci, that’s great news. What’s preventing the push ups? The cut? Pain? Swelling? Just curious, I haven’t scheduled my surgery yet 

Caveman, I have spoken to the PA about it and the ends of the cut carpal tunnel ligament are tender. So putting a load of pressure on my palms and bending my wrist back hurts. I guess this is normal and will go away with time. No swelling and the cuts are really not involved.

I'm just over two months out from my surgery (I had open release-- it was my only option if I wanted my surgery to be covered by my insurance). I was sternly advised to avoid climbing for 6-7 weeks, which I did. I went back to the gym on day one of the 7th week. My grip strength was about 30% decreased but the real issue was the pain at the base of my palm and underneath the incision line. I've been slowly ramping up my grades and time spent in the gym and am happy to report that at two months I'm feeling pretty good! My grip strength is at about 90% of what it was before surgery, and the pain is quickly subsiding. Like Marci, I've had a hard time putting weight on my palms (push ups, downward dog, etc) but I was able to do a couple of pushups yesterday. No more tingling at night-- I still have a hard time believing that it won't come back if I don't wear my splints, but I've tucked them away, hopefully never to be needed again! 100% would do this surgery again. I had both hands done at the same time and personal care was not a major issue. If you're thinking about getting this done, do it. I wish I'd done it sooner!

My experience with open release:
Week one: a day or so of pain killers, no more waking with a numb hand, light cardio.
Week two: stitches out, 10-20 pounds max load
Week three: light stuff in the weight room, more cardio
Week four: easy out door climbing
Every day is just a little bit better. I'm glad I didn't wait any longer! 

My carpal tunnel surgery didn't fix my problem years ago so the Drs, had to do the nerve release in the elbow. That worked.

Weeks five and six: tried some routes with more crimps or roofs and determined that some moves are too painful and my hand strength is diminished.
Pull ups are now fine, push ups are terrible (knuckle push ups OK)
Still haven’t gone to the gym or done any hang boarding, but I will try some easy workouts soon

Almost 10 weeks now, back to climbing close to my previous level. Hand strength is about 75% of my left and improving. Push-up and pull up pain is still there but tolerable. I had to back off my beginner Hang board session. Doing my stretches and PT every day.

While I’m in no hurry to do so, if my left hand ever gets as bad as my right was, I’d get the surgery done on it. My quality of life is significantly better