I had surgery about 10 weeks ago. I did have the numbness and sensitivity you talk about until a few weeks ago. Although I also had two incisions - one in the palm and the other up my palm into my little finger to the knuckle, I don’t think my surgery was as complicated as I didn’t feel any pain at any time. I didn’t even take an aspirin. I think some hand surgeries are more complicated than others.

Are they using ultrasound to get the internal scar tissue loosened up? The silicone patches only help with the external scar. I’ve been to four hand therapists and there is a big difference in equipment and techniques. I also have a hand massager that one of my therapists suggested I use at home to break up the internal scar tissue. It has a pointy tip. Not fun, but it does the job.

I was only able to make a C shape a few weeks ago, but I can close my hand to my palm now. Can’t make a fist like my right hand yet.

I’m on an anti-inflammation diet (Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Steven Gundry). I also take MaryRuth’s Liquid Vitamins and Minerals and Probiotics. I do think the right nutrition helps in reducing inflammation after surgery and in speeding the healing process. I’m 65 years old.

I hope you see progress soon and feel free to get a second opinion for both the doctor and hand therapy.

Sunbeam:

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Thank you Gailsusan interesting to hear where you are recovery wise, I think maybe because it’s my middle fingers that have been operated on and they were fused at the first knuckle a lot of work had to be done and the nerves were very injured, the consequential swelling is still slightly there, I was in a great deal of pain up to about week 8 taking 2 different pain killers day and night. on the link Spanishbuddah posted it does say you can’t bend a swollen finger, I’m really hoping that is the problem, I’ll investigate ultrasound scar treatment, at the moment my treatment has been on our NHS but i’m Prepared to pay for better physio if it’s there to be had, this is a picture of my hand in the morning, by evening it’s not as happy it’s red and more swollen...

spanishbuddha:

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Sunbeam:

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Thank you Gailsusan interesting to hear where you are recovery wise, I think maybe because it’s my middle fingers that have been operated on and they were fused at the first knuckle a lot of work had to be done and the nerves were very injured, the consequential swelling is still slightly there, I was in a great deal of pain up to about week 8 taking 2 different pain killers day and night. on the link Spanishbuddah posted it does say you can’t bend a swollen finger, I’m really hoping that is the problem, I’ll investigate ultrasound scar treatment, at the moment my treatment has been on our NHS but i’m Prepared to pay for better physio if it’s there to be had, this is a picture of my hand in the morning, by evening it’s not as happy it’s red and more swollen

Hi Sunbeam, it looks like there is cream on your palm perhaps where you are moisturising and massaging the scar? The scar at end of day looks red and raised and might be a concern. Are you massaging with silicone spray or gel, or bio-oil? I think these would be options as well as any other moisturiser you might be using. Some applied pressure, possibly using a cotton compression glove during any periods of resting the hand might be useful. Maybe your GP clinic has a nurse trained in dealing with hypertrophic or keloid scars and can offer advise too.

Edited 01/18/19 00:46

dupynz:

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Hi Sunbeam,
I have similar scars to yours but perhaps not as red as your night photo. My scars are quite lumpy, but I seem to make lumpy scars in general.
Back in 2011 I had major abdominal surgery and had a 16 cm scar that was lumpy for YEARS but is now flat and smooth. I thought it would never go flat! So that gives me hope that my hand scars will do the same. Wishful thinking, perhaps!! Perhaps yours will flatten out with time and the various strategies you are using.

I am one of those rare people who doesn't have a smartphone, just a dumbphone that does take photos but they are not able to be sent. Hence, no photos of my hand!

Let's keep hoping for a good outcome, eventually! My curse is the numbness in my fingers that I didn't have for the first 2 months other than in my pinkie, but over the Christmas/New Year break I overdid the gardening and pruning and used a power drill which seemed to be the direct cause of the numbness. Getting worse rather than better despite help and advice from my therapist

Edited 01/22/19 13:52

newman:

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Hi may I suggest you apply a product called "Scar Soft" gel or similar gel to reduce the scar tissue . It is a gel containing silicon and Asian plant extract plus many other additives . I note it is also manufactured under licence by ' Manutect GmbH Mannheim Germany' trade name "NarbenGel" Unfortunately scar tissue may cause contraction . I've had many surgeries plus grafts and in a couple of cases the numbness remained in my thumb for 6 months . You can have a nerve conductive test after a couple of months if it still bothers you.