How to Prepare for Carpal Tunnel Surgery Complications

Surgery to remove pressure on the nerves in the wrist is a common way to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. As with any kind of surgery, though, there are possible complications that could happen during the treatment. It's essential that you prepare for the carpal tunnel surgery complications even though they aren't very common.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Prepare for Carpal Tunnel Surgery Complications

1. Watch what you eat and drink before surgery. Most general anesthesia requires that you don't eat anything during the 18 hours before the operation. You need to have an empty stomach so that you won't choke on something should you vomit while you are under anesthesia.
2. Tell your surgeon if you have any allergies. One of the most common complications of carpal tunnel surgery is an allergic reaction to either the medication or the surgical instruments. You can drastically reduce the chance of an allergic reaction by properly informing your surgeon prior to the operation.
3. Be careful not to smoke before and after surgery. Smoking thins your blood which can affect your body's ability to make blood clots. You need to have these clots so that your body can begin to heal after surgery.
4. Take your medicine as directed by your doctor. It's essential to have anti-infection medication after any kind of surgery and carpal tunnel surgery is no exception.
5. Get a friend to be with you before and after surgery. You should prepare yourself with emotional support for after an operation. You'll also want to enlist the help of a few friends to aid you in doing activities that involve either hands or heavy lifting. Restricting use of the hand that was operated on is the best way to prevent carpal tunnel surgery complications.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your doctor so that you know all of the possible complications that could arise during and after carpal tunnel surgery. She may have some good suggestions to prevent or treat these complications.
• Don't spend too much time worrying about surgical complications. You and your doctor will find a way to treat them if they happen. Focus on keeping a positive attitude and look forward to living without carpal tunnel syndrome.
• If you start to feel sick, nauseous or experience intense pain in your hand after surgery, call your doctor immediately.