Carpel tunnel op

[MrAndyW]

Had op this morning,when given the anaesthetic my hand jumped like a massive electric shock, also really painful pins and needles in all of my fingers, surgeon said what was that your hands gone white, had really bad pins and needles in fingers during the op and ever since, is this normal ?
Bit worried to be honest, will phone hospital tomorrow if no better, just wondered if anyone has had similar,
Typed with right hand so spelling might not be too good,
Thanks, Andy
Forgot to put all fingers are hot to touch

Edited by MrAndyW on Monday 18th January 20:00

[davhill]

The hand is wired up with three nerves, the radial, median and ulnar...



When a regional nerve block is used for anaesthetising, these nerves can be blocked individually. However, it's less fiddly
to apply the nerve block at armpit level, which will switch off all three simultaneously.

The 'electric shock' feeling probably happened while the anaesthetic was being given. The docs know the landmark where the
needle should go in but touching the nerve will confirm that the stuff is in the right spot. The arm will have jumped to prove that the right nerve junction had been located.

Pins and needles (paraesthesia) can occur as the anaesthetic wears off, and the area's being warm to the touch is a good sign. Assuming there are no areas of missing sensation, it would seem that all is well.

Please note, I am not a medic - just an ex-medical school photographer/illustrator and recipient of several spinal nerve blocks. .

[MrAndyW]

Thanks for the reply, I've got feeling in my thumb.and it cooler touch, but the hot finger have no sense of touch,just pins and needles will see how we are tomorrow , once again thanks

[campionissimo]

I wouldn't worry too much - I had my carpal tunnel release in 2008 and I still have pins and needles in my thumb and first two fingers!!

[AMLK]

I have had the op in both hands about a year ago. The sensations in the first couple of days are really weird. The numbness can last a little while as the nerve block wears off and normal feelings being to return. Keep an eye on the temperature of your fingers - if they are really warm and red it could indicate an infection.

Having the op was the best thing I have done, hence having the other hand done a few months after the first one. I had suffered with carpal tunnel for 10years, I can't believe I have the full use of my hands back now without any pain or pins and needles. Wish I had it done years ago.

Hope you recover well.

[MrAndyW]

Thanks for all the replies. Panic over now I think, fingers have cooled,got some movement back and just slight oins and needles, was petrified last night, had visions of my hand being useless after what happene and what was said during anasthetic.
Right hand typing is coming on too.