Carpal Tunnel Decompression is usually done as a day procedure under general or local anaesthetic. The surgery involves making a small incision in the wrist and dividing the transverse carpal ligament to achieve decompression of the nerve.


Risks Fasting What you bring to hospital What should I do about my regular medications? Post-operative care

Risks

No surgery is risk free. Mr Gomes will talk to you about risks during the consent process.

Risks include:

  • Infection
  • Nerve damage.
  • Wrist pain and scar sensitivity
  • Failure to improve symptoms.
  • Uncommon complications related to general anaesthetic.

Fasting

Your surgery may get cancelled if you are not fasted. Unless specifically instructed, do not eat or drink after:

  • Midnight for a morning case.
  • 7 am for an afternoon case.

What you bring to hospital

You may be admitted the day of your operation and go home after or be admitted the night before your operation. It is important that someone drives you home. You will need to bring:

  • Your regular medication.
  • The information pack given to you at your consultation.
  • Pathology results. Your Anaethestist or Physician will contact you about this before your surgery.
  • Any questions that you have written down and wish to ask. If there is anything you do not understand please ask.
  • Your Nerve conduction Study Results and any imaging, if instructed by Mr Gomes.

What should I do about my regular medications?

Your regular medications need to be checked with your Anaesthetist. Generally, you should take your normal medication with a small sip of water the day of your operation. Patients taking blood thinning medication will be taken off these for an appropriate amount of time prior to surgery.

Post-operative care

  • Mr Gomes generally uses fine non-absorbable sutures since this decreases scar hypertrophy and sensitivity. Your wrist and forearm will be wrapped in a bandage. It is important to keep this dry and mobilize your fingers and thumb in the first week following the operation. A wound check should be done by your GP or at the hospital Wound Care Clinic around day 5, while the sutures should be removed day 10-12 following the procedure.
  • Pain is managed with simple oral analgesia such as Panadol. You will receive education regarding this prior to your discharge.
  • A follow up appointment with Mr Gomes will be made prior to or at the time of your surgery. If you are unsure of your follow up appointment time, please contact Mr Gomes’ rooms.
  • You are encouraged to keep the hand elevated at night on a pillow for the first week to decrease swelling. Follow up with a local hand therapist will be recommended after the first week.
  • Most patients can drive after 2 weeks, however the main factor affecting this is scar sensitivity.
  • Returning to work must be discussed by Mr Gomes. This will depend on your job role and its dependence on the hand affected.

If you experience any of the following, please contact Mr Gomes on 03 8318 4929

  • Fever and a general feeling of being unwell.
  • Incision feels tender, hot or swollen.
  • An odour or discharge coming from your incision
  • Increasing pain in the wound/wrist.
  • Increasing or new weakness in the hands or fingers.
  • Numbness in the hands or fingers.

For all appointments and enquiries, please phone   03 8318 4929

MAIN CONSULTING ROOMS

Mayfair Specialist Centre
Level 7
250 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne VIC 3002

ALSO CONSULTING AT

Knox Private Hospital
Suite 1A
262 Mountain Highway
Wantirna VIC 3151

Holmesglen Private Hospital
Suite A1
Paso Consulting Suites
490 South Road
Moorabbin VIC 3189

© 2020- Mr Keith Gomes - Functional Brain & Spine Surgery | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Website design: WebInjection