How Long After Carpal Tunnel Surgery Does It Take Before You Can Go Back To Work?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) happens when the median nerve is squeezed as it passes through the wrist. The path through the wrist, called the carpal tunnel, is made of carpals or small wrist bones on side and a ligament on the other side. During the surgical procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the palm of the hand, about 2 inches long. In some cases, a longer incision may be required which can extend to the forearm.

The numbness or the pain can either go away quickly post surgery, or it may take some months to disappear completely. If you had surgery on your non-dominant hand (the hand which is not used much compared to the other one), and do not do high risk activities, you may be able to return to work in 3-4 days. If you had surgery on your dominant hand (the one which was affected), then you may require 4 weeks or so, for full recovery. Physical therapy can hasten the recovery process.

I would say depending on the hand and how dependant you are on that certain hand about 2 weeks.. I have had surgery on both hands and went back to work within a week.. I was one handed for the remainder of the time I was casted up but I got the job done.. I think this really all depends upon the person and the level of tolerance for pain you have as well as what I stated prior.. Good luck and if your not already back to work hope you get better soon. Also with carpal tunnel it does have a tendency to return.. My mother has had two surgeries so far to relieve the nerve.. So just make sure you do plenty of pyshical therapy even after you have healed as the exercises should prevent this from occuring again..

It will depend on whether or not this is through Worker's Compensation or through your regular health insurance.  I had Carpal Tunnel surgery and Ulnar Nerve transposition on a Friday and was sent back to work the following Tuesday (4 days later) by the Worker's Compensation surgeon.  I was in much pain and my hand & arm were extremely swollen by the end of the work day for the first week or so.
I work with someone who had just the carpal tunnel surgery without going through work comp and she was off for nearly 6 weeks.

How long will it be before I can begin lifting medium to heavy lifting after I had Carpal Tunnel surgery?