✋ Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery Recovery Timeline Simulator

Post-Op Incision and Swelling

Placeholder: early hours after release surgery bring swelling and redness.

• ~2 cm: Typical incision length (Placeholder short note)
• Day 2-3: Swelling peak (Placeholder short note)
• Moderate: Pain level (Placeholder short note)
• Weekly: Dressing change (Placeholder short note)

Immediate post-surgical state

Placeholder: incision closed with sutures, hand wrapped and elevated.

Placeholder: keep hand elevated to reduce swelling early on.

Wound Healing, Weeks One and Two

Placeholder: sutures come out and skin edges seal shut.

• Day 10-14: Suture removal (Placeholder short note)
• Declining: Redness (Placeholder short note)
• ~90%: Wound closure (Placeholder short note)
• Permitted: Light activity (Placeholder short note)

Early epithelialization

Placeholder: skin barrier reforms and infection risk drops.

Placeholder: gentle finger motion supported starting this stage.

Scar Maturation, Weeks Three to Six

Placeholder: scar tissue remodels, flattens, and lightens in color.

• Fading pink: Scar color (Placeholder short note)
• Active: Collagen remodel (Placeholder short note)
• Recommended: Scar massage (Placeholder short note)
• Decreasing: Sensitivity (Placeholder short note)

Collagen remodeling phase

Placeholder: massage and moisturizing help scar flatten faster.

Placeholder: avoid sun exposure on the fresh scar line.

Grip Strength Rebuilding

Placeholder: structured therapy restores hand and grip strength.

• 40-70%: Grip strength (Placeholder short note)
• 2-3x/week: PT frequency (Placeholder short note)
• Improving: Pinch strength (Placeholder short note)
• 6-16: Weeks range (Placeholder short note)

Progressive strengthening

Placeholder: resistance exercises rebuild thenar muscle strength.

Placeholder: consistent therapy compliance speeds recovery.

Full Functional Recovery

Placeholder: grip strength normalizes and activity is unrestricted.

• 90-100%: Grip strength (Placeholder short note)
• Mature, pale: Scar (Placeholder short note)
• Resolved: Symptoms (Placeholder short note)
• ~3-6 months: Timeline (Placeholder short note)

Return to normal function

Placeholder: full grip and pinch strength restored for daily tasks.

Placeholder: most patients resume all activities by month six.