Last November I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my right hand. It made things feel better at first, but as my hand regained functionality and recovered from surgery the symptoms came back as well. In retrospect, it was a mistake and a huge waste of time because it didn’t solve my problem and created a long recovery period. I just started ART treatments back in mid-June, and they’ve provided the greatest relief so far.
In effort to combat my sedentary computer job and lifestyle that caused the problem in the first place, I’ve starting lifting to gain strength, rehabilitate and hopefully prevent any future flare ups. I am however a bit concerned that having the carpal ligament released has compromised the structural integrity of my hand when it comes to lifting heavier weights. I’ve had some instances where my fingers felt numb and tingly after my workout, so I’ve backed off on the weight a bit. Backing off and the weight and having ART has seemed to help. I’m trying to slowly and comfortably add more weight, but I still don’t feel I’m able to push myself as hard as I’d like.
I just curious if anyone else here has had carpal tunnel release and come back to lifting or knows someone that has. Or anyone thats had any type of hand surgery have advice? Did you have any problems with numbness or tingling after lifting when starting back up? How long did it take you to get back to your normal strength levels?
I don’t personally know about your problem, but I searched those up. You could probably find more if you click the “search” button in white letters just above this post. Good luck man.
I’ve never had surgery, but as a long time desk jockey I have had low grade carpal tunnel issues – such as hands falling asleep and so on.
I haven’t had much trouble lifting, but I find I do a lot of gripping, say for deadlifts, rows, pullups, shrugs, curls, etc and at times I think I may be aggravating my wrists.
I’m trying to make sure I do reverse wrist curls and/or reverse curls, to try to get at least a semblance of balance in the forearms.
It seems that my hand gets numb mostly when doing exercises like bench press, and dips when there is a lot of weight on the palm of my hand. Thing is it really only happens on my right hand ( the hand that had the surgery ). Having ART done on my right hand seems to have helped almost eliminate any numbness from lifting. I’m just hoping it will eventually completely go away with more ART, and going lighter for now. Should probably just go back to the orthopedic surgeon and ask them about this. I deifnitely don’t want to be hindering a full recovery by trying to lift too hard too soon.
[quote]NrgJake wrote:
I deifnitely don’t want to be hindering a full recovery by trying to lift too hard too soon.[/quote]
That’s your best bet. In addition, I’d ask a biomechanic who specializes in the hand as well. Mike and/or Eric might be able to give you some advice if you post in their lockers too.
Oh yeah, duh, forgot to mention. Make sure you are getting your anti-inflammatories. Something like FLAMEOUT from this site or at least lots of Omega-3’s and so forth.
If you have some chronic inflammation going on, healing from surgery, etc, aggravating it, you want to keep it in check.