Im due to have carpal tunnel surgery at he end of the month ahhh its camping season!!! has anyone had the op and if so how long until you can use the hand properly?
I have had my carpal tunnel done. I had microsurgery so 2 x 2 stitches and a bandage for two weeks rather than 20 stitches and plaster. Much better, I thought and I was getting married 6 weeks later and plaster wouldn't go with the dress.
What they are going to do is separate your thumb from your hand so you won't be able to tell it what to do. If anything needs a signature, sign it now because you won't have your pinch movement for some weeks. Holding, writing, moving (think scissors or hammering tent pegs) are difficult for some weeks.
I eventually described it as trying to open a rusty gate with your foot while wearing a too large boot with the laces cut. Weird but that's the best way I can describe it. I got about 85% of movement back but I won't do push ups (turning my wrist 90 degrees) or hang from the monkey bars (carry my own weight) again (reduced playing with kids when the time came). I can't go 10 pin bowling.
However, I was beyond taking care of myself with the pain but now manage perfectly well so, all in all, life is good. You will be much happier with it done, I am sure.
Hey, I had a friend who had the more invasive one with lots of stitches and a cast. Altho she’s very happy with it not the six weeks not being able to do anything has put her off having the second one done for a long time. She wouldn’t have been able to camp in that period or for quite a while after. But as all medical professionals always tell us, everyone is different and you cannot predict how one person is gonna fare compared to another.
Also, I’m not sure which is worse etiquette, hijacking this thread or starting an almost identical one so I’ve chosen to post here. Sorry if wrong.
I came on here this morn with a question about ops too.
Hubster looks like he will prob have spinal surgery in next two weeks to remove an extensive disc prolapse. Anyone had this surgery?
They said he would be home same day or day after and off work 4-6 weeks but anyone camped in this period? Towards the end tho, not straight away.
He’s desperate to get away as this with the continued chemo very much getting him down.
Many thanks as ever
Hello guys! thanks for taking the time to reply, I have been googling lots and watched a few videos on the actual surgery (crazy I know) so I kind of know what to expect but hearing from someone who has had it done is fab.
I've booked to go camping mid august with friends so we will have help to put the tent up if needs be, op is next Thursday (28th June) I will pop back up and let you know how things are going.
Mischiefsmum Its totally fine with me you posting about your Hubby on this post, Do you have camp beds or airbeds etc and how dose he sleep when you camp? My hubby has fibromyalgia (not the same I know) We use double height air beds and sleeps better than at home. If you can pitch without him and he has a comfortable chair and bed go for it as soon as he feels up to going the fresh air is a great aid for recovery.
To offer a super positive story the manager at the chippy in town had both wrists done at the same time and was back at work cutting fish and frying within 72 hours.
My husband had his carpal tunnel done (2nd one) yesterday, he's off work for 2 weeks and we go camping in 4 weeks. Going on last time he feels he'll be fine to go.
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
I had a metal plate and pins removed from my wrist at the same time as the carpel tunnel operation, had lots of stitches in both my hand and wrist.
We carried on camping in fact I had time off work so it gave us more opportunity to get away, I was a little limited with my usage but it certainly didn’t stop us, so long as someone else can whack the pegs in.
Hi Fiona, i've come to this post a little late and by now, you'll have had the op. By the sound of various posts, there has been a range of ops and conditions requiring surgery and different approaches, some more extensive and restrictive than others. I had the carpal tunnel op about 10 years ago (I can't believe it's that long but it is) after enduring the discomfort and dysfunction for some years (steroid injections and split blah blah blah). I had mine at the end of August and then went to Greece (non-camping it has to be said) about 3-4 weeks later. I was off work for two-weeks (I typed A LOT), and was glad of it as I felt vulnerable: no plaster/cast but a boxing glove sized bandage for a few days and then a simple wound dressing until the stitch removal. My wound dehisced... I think that's the spelling ... meaning it re-opened when the stitches (more than 2 less than 20) were taken out. A bit disconcerting. I was OK on holiday as I wasn't really using it much and had been worried like you, as I'd overlooked the recovery time. I think the salt water (I did swim quite a lot) helped the recovery. DO Go on your tip - just be vigilant about hygiene and the wound and don't over-do using the affected hand. I know it's hard when you're used to doing but, there's no shame in asking for help - including from fellow campers who are mainly a good bunch. Better a short time of feeling a bit 'helpless' and that can feel horrid, than risk putting back your healing. lots of tips for scar treatment: aloe vera gel, Bio=Oil, lavender oil... mix of all three...and exercise your hand. It will feel odd - mine was hyper-sensitive for a while and anything pressing in my palm felt really odd, but it did relieve the pain. For some years (it's coming back but I may be unlucky). Good luck with it all.
Post last edited on 28/06/2018 23:53:51
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
hello (typing with one hand and its the left, this may take some time lol)
so I'm on day 3 post op and so far so good, I can wiggle my fingers and make half a fist with my boxing bandaged hand, its so hot tho all the padding which is cotton wool isn't helping roll on a dressing change at the district nurse in the morning. Thanks for all the advise I will deffo be going camping the sooner the better
Pulliing up your knicks with one hand was the major issue I recall!!!
You sound positive and hope it's healing well and you feel a bit cooler soon (but that's when the temptation to use it more cuts in... enjoy a rest for a bit longer (and luxuriate in this amazing weather. #TooHotForHousework ) But use your other hand to surf for a suitable camping convalescence.
Post last edited on 02/07/2018 22:43:37
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: camping after an op!
) But use your other hand to surf for a suitable camping convalescence.
