Important Notice

This information is provided as supplemental educational material for established patients of Lee M. Reichel, M.D., receiving care through Austin Regional Clinic. It is not individualized medical advice and does not replace the instructions provided directly by Dr. Reichel or your ARC care team.

Every patient’s condition and treatment are different. Do not apply this information to another person or use it to make medical decisions outside Dr. Reichel’s practice. If this information differs from instructions given specifically to you, follow your individualized instructions and contact the office for clarification.

Accessing this page does not establish a physician-patient relationship. This page is not monitored for medical questions or emergencies. For urgent concerns, contact your treating medical team; for an emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care.

For My Patients / After-Surgery Care

PROCEDURE RECOVERY GUIDE

After Carpal Tunnel Release

A practical overview of dressing care, hand motion, swelling, and the gradual return of strength after carpal tunnel surgery.

Your discharge instructions come first

Use the instructions you received from Dr. Reichel and the surgical center as your primary guide. They may differ from this general overview because they are tailored to your procedure and health.

The first few days

Keep the hand elevated above heart level when practical, especially if throbbing or swelling increases.
Use the pain plan written on your discharge instructions. Do not add over-the-counter medicines unless they are safe for you and included in that plan.
Move the fingers, thumb, elbow, and shoulder gently while awake unless your surgeon gave a different instruction.

Dressing and incision

Keep the surgical dressing clean and dry until the removal time on your discharge sheet.
After the dressing is removed, protect the incision as directed. Do not soak the hand until the incision is sealed and your surgical team says it is safe.
Use a nighttime wrist brace only if it is part of your surgeon’s plan and it feels comfortable.

Movement

Open and close the hand gently several times each hour while awake; do not force a tight fist through sharp pain.
Work toward straightening every finger and touching each fingertip to the thumb.
Avoid keeping the hand still all day—comfortable motion helps limit stiffness and swelling.

Activity and work

Use the hand for light daily tasks as comfort and your discharge plan allow.
Avoid forceful gripping, pushing through the palm, and heavier lifting until cleared.
Driving and work depend on pain control, safe hand use, and job demands; confirm timing with your team.

What may be normal

Bruising or swelling in the hand and forearm.
Tenderness, firmness, or sensitivity around the palm incision.
Temporary weakness with grip or pressure through the palm.
Gradual rather than immediate improvement in long-standing numbness.

Call the surgical team promptly if…

Increasing redness, warmth, drainage, bad odor, or fever.
Pain or swelling that is rapidly worsening or not helped by the written plan.
Fingers that become persistently pale, blue, very cold, or markedly more numb after checking that the dressing is not overly tight.
Any wound opening, medication reaction, fall, or concern that feels out of proportion.

A general recovery timeline

First week: Protect the incision, control swelling, and keep the fingers moving comfortably.
Around 2 weeks: A wound check or suture removal is commonly planned; follow your scheduled appointment.
Weeks 3–6: Scar firmness and palm tenderness can be noticeable while everyday hand use gradually expands.
Following months: Strength and nerve recovery continue. Long-standing numbness can improve slowly or remain incomplete.

Learn more: The Hand Society: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

This is general education. Your personalized discharge instructions and follow-up plan take priority.