Carpal Tunnel Operation

[Charleese]

Hi All,

A veteran I helped to get his 100% in August 2013 had a carpal tunnel operation on his left hand by VA. Several years before that he had his right hand done by a private doctor.

Three weeks after 2013 operation he had stitches removed. VA never gave him any physical therapy for his left hand. Now his hand is puff from the operation, plus his fingers feel like pins and needles, and numbs up constantly till he has no feeling in them. Plus his wrist hurts and he has sharp pain going up his left arm to his shoulder. He say his hand is worst now then it was before he had operation. I feel the VA was negligent in operating on him without giving him the physical therapy that is needed for this type of operation. His carpal tunnel is non service connected. Can a 1151 claim be filed for this. He is constantly in pain from it. He walks around the house and outside with a glove on that left hand. Also, he can't tie his shoes or button his shirt, his wife has to do this for him.

Has anyone had this happen to them if so please explain? Is there anything that he can do that will relieve him of the numbness and pain? Can a 1151 claim be filed?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Edited January 13, 2014 by Charleese

[Loose Cannon]

Can't the vet return to the VAMC, the ER, or make an appointment with his PCP and explain his symptoms/pain? At that visit, he could discuss the possibility of PT I would think?

LC

[Charleese]

Because they made it worst he is skeptical of VA. Matter of fact he is looking for a hand specialist on the outside to see what can be done.

[Vync]

Just recently had same surgery. PT is not required, but may be given if doc recommends it. The swelling is not uncommon after surgery and can be attributed to lymphedema. They should keep their hand elevated, even when sleeping. Elbow should be above the shoulder and hand above the elbow. It helps a lot. Basically you let gravity reverse the pooling of lymph fluid.

[Charleese]

Thanks for your reply. He not only have the swelling and numbness,but he can't bend his fingers on his left hand. He found out from hand specialist that he has permanent loss of grip strength, loss of lifting strength in wrist, tenderness around incision, loss of range motion in the hand and wrist. Hand specialist also told him that months of physical therapy is required after surgery to restore some hand and wrist strength. His surgery was done in August 2013. Some 3 weeks later they took out his stitches and that was the last he heard from VA about his left hand. Vync what your saying was never told to him. This is a 76 year old man. When they did the operation on him VA Doctor told him that they really had a hard time and that is why they had to dig so deep to get to his ligaments in his hand. Therefore, the VA Doctor should have known to require PT for him since they had such a hard time with operation. Once again thanks for your reply.

[Loose Cannon]

Charleese - I can understand his fear of going back. You may want to try contacting the VAMC Patient Advocate's office. They may be able to offer some good advice that can help him. Best of luck to you both. That kind of surgery doesn't sound fun for anyone to go through, especially at his age.

LC