The Third Arm is Free!

Today I had my stitches from my Carpal Tunnel Release and Decompression of Guyon's Canal on my left hand removed. Lucky for me, Dr. Millard does both procedures through a single incision because I was not looking forward to having the stitches removed. I really wanted the splint off since it was starting to get funky and was itchy but when I had the stitches out of my right hand, it hurt like crazy. This time, a different resident removed the stitches and it wasn't nearly as painful. He made quick work of the stitches and said that the better they are put in, the easier they come out. Since the last resident told me that he'd done my Carpal/Guyon on the right hand and I'm pretty sure Dr. Millard alone did the left, maybe that's true. Dr. Millard seems to be pretty damn good with sutures since my elbow incision is tiny and you can barely see the scar.

I did notice that the side of my hand below my pinkie is numb, a result of the ulnar nerve being disrupted in the Decompression of Guyon's Canal. Since I'm no newcomer to the slowness of nerves healing, I'm sure it will come back in time. I just hope it's not too long. The numbness in my elbow still creeps me out...I don't really know how I'd feel about long term or permanent numbness in my hand.

15 days post-op and there's still faint bruising in my palm, and pretty nasty bruising on my wrist a good inch to three inches below the incision. The incision site itself is still pretty swollen, the heel of my palm pretty puffy and raised compared to my other hand. The incision itself is about an inch long and nice and scabby. You can see the purple marker Dr. Millard used to mark the site as well as his lovely G.M. initials on my arm from our pre-surgery consult. I'll have to scrub that puppy off!

Dr. Millard didn't say much other than look at the hand real quick, tell me not to lift anything heavy or do too much for a while. Told me to give it a few days and then start massaging the incision to break down the scar tissue (not my favorite) and then told me he'd see me in 4 weeks. I did ask him if he'd give me a discount on the third arm but he either didn't get it or the doctor in him just heard "discount" and immediately said no. Oh well, I guess surgeons don't have much sense of humor!

So it's back to wearing a wrist brace for 4 weeks but I won't complain. At least I can type better now and I won't have to wear a trash bag in the shower anymore!

Uh, chopsticks weren't meant for that sweetie...

Just a quick update eight days post surgery. Things are going well. I went back to work two days after surgery, working from home one day and then heading back into the office. I haven't had any pain meds aside from Tylenol since Wednesday night, three days after surgery. Overall, I'm feeling good aside from some moments of very minor irritation. It seems like the side of my hand beneath my pinkie may be numb but I can't really tell at this point. Working has been less difficult than I anticipated and compared to going back to work 3 weeks after surgery on my right arm. I can actually use my fingers really well and really my only inhibitor is the bulk of the splint in the area of my palm preventing my fingers from really stretching out when typing.

My chief and only real complaint....the insane itching! I really want this splint off! I don't remember the itching being this bad with my right arm and that splint went all the way up over my elbow. I've even taken to shoving a chopstick under the splint in an effort to scratch and relieve the itching. I don't get the splint off for another 7 days and I can't wait (although, I'm not looking forward to getting the stitches removed....YOWZAH!!!)