Carpal Tunnel Surgery and Recovery

[ted_magpie]

I would like to hear your experiences

I'm 59 years old and for the past 8 months I have been battling Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both wrists. After it started I worked with my Dr and he gave me night splints and advised changing things that aggravate it. I wear splints at night, changed my mouse to he left hand and have reduced golf and practice for the last 2 months (Easily done because of the cold weather) and with these efforts have managed some improvement, but still have a dull pain in my right wrist several times a day. Now I'm scheduling surgery for my right hand. I've seen the neurologist and had nerve conduction done with the results showing no nerve damage but delayed response in the medial nerve on both wrists. The left is not as bad as the right so will continue non-surgical efforts on the left. My Dr advises the open surgery instead of endoscopic because it gives the surgeon a better way to get the exact cut on the ligament. He assures me this has a very high probability of success because my nerve is only pinched and not damaged. He says I should not have any recovery issues outside of the required inactivity after surgery.

I'm interested in knowing what other golfers have experienced, what impact it had on your game and how long took to get back to normal play. Thanks for any advice you might have for me.

[DrSchteeve]

I'm a doctor and had left carpal tunnel surgery. Within 3 weeks I was putting, 4-6 weeks chipping and pitching, playing at 8 weeks. The open approach is preferred, just little benefit to a scope when the procedure itself is straightforward and benign.

[ted_magpie]

Thanks for the information. I'm meeting with the surgeon next week and will schedule my surgery. I hope to be fully recovered and be playing golf in April.

[DrSchteeve]

Had my left hand done (I'm right handed). Two weeks to putting, three to chipping, four to swinging, six to playing. No complications. Not sure why I got it in my left but not right hand.

[ted_magpie]

I had CP surgery and it has successfully eliminated all the issues I was having. The surgery itself was surprisingly simple and I was in and out in a few hours. I missed one day at work and was restricted from lifting for 2 weeks until the stitches were out. I played a round of golf 4 weeks after surgery. Feeling great and glad I went ahead with it.

[Hozze]

Not a senior golfer (32) but I have plenty of experience with CTS. Good that you did something about it in time. I didn't. I waited a full year and a half and ended up with permanant damage to my left hand, mainly leaving me with some numbness in my fingers. Nothing major though, I'm used to it and it's not stopping me from my usual activities, other then playing the guitar, which I've had to give up.

Interestingly enough most of the people I know who've had problems with it has also had it mainly in the left hand. I wonder why that is?