After my mother had carpal tunnel syndrome surgery on both hands, she was left with weakness in both hands; weak fingers and a weak grip.
This is because the carpal tunnel syndrome progressed from mild to severe in only a matter of several weeks.
As a result of carpal tunnel syndrome’s effect on the median nerve, she lost some use of her hands and fingers.
This meant that some muscles weren’t getting used for several weeks. When muscles don’t get used, they shrink or atrophy (become atrophied).
An atrophied muscle is a weakened muscle, and often very stiff due to dis-use.
The fingers have muscles, and just because they are naturally small, doesn’t mean they can’t atrophy and weaken when not used, and carpal tunnel syndrome at its worst will definitely cause muscle weakness in the fingers.
My mother’s EMG test did not detect muscle weakness (EMGs measure nerve conductivity), and the doctor said there was no sign of muscle atrophy.
However, the weakness was there for sure, and remained there even after the carpal tunnel surgery.
To combat this lingering weakness, I designed some exercises for my mother.
Post-surgical exercise for carpal tunnel release #1
The first obvious exercise for strengthening the fingers and grip following carpal tunnel surgery is to simply open and close the fist well past the point of fatigue. Each close should be as tight as possible.
Post-surgical exercise for carpal tunnel release #2
Roll out a section of toilet paper about 5-7 feet long. With just the carpal tunnel hand, hold one end of the paper, then start scrunching it up within the confines of your palm, without using the other hand for help.
See if you can bunch up all the paper into your palm without using the other hand to help.
Post-surgical exercise for carpal tunnel release #3
Next, lean forward in a seated position, forearm on thigh, palm up.
Place a weighted ball in palm and lift the wrist upward, so that your palm — still holding the ball — is facing towards you. Then relax.
Repeat past point of fatigue.
If this doesn’t fatigue you within about 40 repetitions, use a heavier weight.
Small weighted balls can be found in sporting goods stores or online.
Post-surgical exercise for carpal tunnel release #4
Pretend there’s ink on the tip of your middle finger.
Keep fingers together and straight, and move just the wrist, and “draw” each letter of the alphabet in the air, pretending that the ink on your middle finger is creating the letter on a vertical sheet of paper hanging in the air.
Each exercise should be done 2-3 times each, and then each session three times per day.
These exercises are not replacements for the normal hand/finger activity that you’d do as part of your daily routine.
These carpal tunnel post-surgical exercises are supplements to your routine daily hand motions.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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