The Morning After Carpal Tunnel Surgery
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Oh my, what have I done....
Let me first say that I have always admired and respected any person that has lived with and overcome any physical handicap, but never more so than this last week.
Carpal tunnel surgery has left me all but helpless for the next two weeks. Now I'm not looking for sympathy (well, maybe just a little), but I think they should make a person go into training and practice one-handed skills first. Like physical therapy, but prior to the "event". Not only am I typing with one finger, I"m having trouble spelling. How can that be?
Carpal tunnel surgery has left me all but helpless for the next two weeks. Now I'm not looking for sympathy (well, maybe just a little), but I think they should make a person go into training and practice one-handed skills first. Like physical therapy, but prior to the "event". Not only am I typing with one finger, I"m having trouble spelling. How can that be?
New Table of Contents
- What the Mayo Clinic says about Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
- ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME...
- Don't forget the cap.....
- HOW TO WASH YOUR HAIR
- FLASHES OF BRILLANCE
- TIGHT JEANS WITH ZIPPERS AND BUTTONS...DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
- DON'T PAMPER
- MEDICAL HUMOR FROM AMAZON
- TAKING CARE OF YOUR JOINTS
- PLEASE, PERK ME UP-LEAVE ME A BLURB
- New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
What the Mayo Clinic says about Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
This is the down and dirty about CTS (Carpel Tunnel Syndrome)from the Mayo Clinic. Everyone's heard of it, right? I'm still looking for the page that tells you about practicing EVERYTHING with one hand tied behind your back.
- MAYO CLINIC
- Interesting information shown about CTS. Treatments, diagnosis and causes.
ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME...
Now, I'm off to brush my teeth. The brushing is not the problem. It's getting the tooth paste out of the tube and on to the brush one handed. First couple of days my husband did this for me and then I decided there just had to be a better way.Photo to follow....
Later...ah, here it is. I had to get someone to take the pic.
Don't forget the cap.....
Yes, don't forget the cap. To replace the cap, tuck the tube under your arm just above your elbow holding it against your side and you can replace the cap nice and tight.
If you forget to do this the tooth paste will dry and then you'll have to sit on it to get it out of the tube.
HOW TO WASH YOUR HAIR
This may sound like a "no-brainer", but it took me a couple of days to figure this out.
While in the shower, you first get your hair wet, of course. Then using the "above the elbow-between the ribcage" (AEBR) I mentioned earlier in regard to opening the tooth paste, you open the shampoo. If it's a removable cap and you have no place to put it, you have to hold it between your teeth.
With your good hand hold the shampoo bottle and put the shampoo on your opposing forearm. After you have the right amount then you have to reverse the above steps. Scoop the shampoo off your forearm, slap it on your hair and ta-da!
While in the shower, you first get your hair wet, of course. Then using the "above the elbow-between the ribcage" (AEBR) I mentioned earlier in regard to opening the tooth paste, you open the shampoo. If it's a removable cap and you have no place to put it, you have to hold it between your teeth.
With your good hand hold the shampoo bottle and put the shampoo on your opposing forearm. After you have the right amount then you have to reverse the above steps. Scoop the shampoo off your forearm, slap it on your hair and ta-da!
FLASHES OF BRILLANCE
Seems like most everyone that finds out "what happened to my hand" has their own story to tell. Tell about all the tricks you picked up when you or anyone you know had this or something similar happen.
Share your stories. Your work-a-rounds, humorous situations. Keep it light-no sobbing, please.
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TIGHT JEANS WITH ZIPPERS AND BUTTONS...DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
Getting dressed, undressed and going to the "necessary room".
Unless you have a personal assistant that can accompany you at all times, loose fitting clothing with elastic at the waist is a must. Remember, you will only have one hand to accomplish this little chore that has always been so easy with two.
Plan ahead-it will take longer than you think. I have found that alternating back and forth also helps, especially when pulling pants back up. Practice as much as possible prior to your surgery so you don't get "caught with you pants down".....literally.
Plan ahead-it will take longer than you think. I have found that alternating back and forth also helps, especially when pulling pants back up. Practice as much as possible prior to your surgery so you don't get "caught with you pants down".....literally.
“After you pull up your pants make sure the inseam doesn't run up the "side" of your leg.”
Important!
DON'T PAMPER
After the Doc says it's okay to do so, make sure you don't pamper that hand. Sure it's gonna be sore, he cut you. But it's needs to be stretched and exercised. If you have an option, take physical therapy, they'll have you playing with balls of putty and playing virtual music on virtual pianos, making strange alien signals with your hand and fingers. Your friends will think you're strange, but believe me it will be worth it in the long run.
MEDICAL HUMOR FROM AMAZON
Sometimes a good laugh is the only thing that will truly make you feel better.
PLEASE, PERK ME UP-LEAVE ME A BLURB
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peter blok
Oct 11, 2011 @ 4:28 am | delete
- even worse, sometimes after surgery the symptoms come back again, like with my mother. surgery does not seem to work for everybody, because of this i have been looking for an alternative carpal tunnel treatment for a long time.
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wdhart777
Aug 17, 2011 @ 6:11 pm | delete
- Wow, I really feel for you! Too bad this is such a common disorder, and I'm lucky not to be one of the victims as I was a typist for many years myself. Good luck, and heal quick!
physical therapist assistant
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accountantfinder
Oct 10, 2010 @ 5:34 am | delete
- Just last week I hear a story from a woman who had had the surgery on her wrist just one day earlier, and her doctor had told her she could immediately start using her hands.Carpal Tunnel Surgery Thailand
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dkgibbins
Jul 1, 2008 @ 11:48 am | delete
- I as well just had surgery. I actually get to go back today to get my stitches out! I've felt the same stress you have with getting things done with one hand... try having to help a three year old get dressed and get tennis shoes on. Thanks for the humor though!
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hmsweaver
Jun 11, 2008 @ 2:37 pm | delete
- Congrats on getting it over with. I've been putting it off for years. It's nice to see you're keeping a sense of humor about your one-handed recovery! :-)
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clouda9
Jun 5, 2008 @ 12:27 pm | delete
- Great info here. I have been putting off getting my right hand done because of a bad experience with surgery on my left. One of these days...maybe ;) Happy to know you got a good laugh at my menopause lens.
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