hair care after carpal tunnel surgery?

[Peggy E.]

i have severe carpal tunnel in both hands, which will require surgery asap - one at a time, though.

my question is this: anyone here ever gone through this? if so, how did you manage to take care of your hair following surgery? my hair is waist length, thickening a bit now, and i need to wear it up some way every day in order to protect it. just now finally getting healthy again.

if anyone has gone through this, have you any advice to offer as to care for my hair under the circumstances? would appreciate anything you can share.

[lapushka]

I have a hands/arms/shoulder issue (CRPS, early stage), and a feet/leg(knee)/hip issue (CRPS, late (chronic) stage), so my mom helps me take care a number of things, including my hair.

Get some help, that's all I can tell you. It's going to be hard managing this on your very own.

If you're married, can hubby help? A mom, daughter?

[Climber]

I've not had that type of surgery, but I did have shoulder surgery a few years ago. Before surgery I washed my hair and then put it in two French braids. I then hair taped the braids around my head, using ribbon and a large-eyed needle. I kept my hair like that for about four weeks. I could use my arm to detangle my hair by then, and I had someone else braid and hairtape my hair. That got me through until I could raise both arms over my head for an extended amount of time.

My hair was definitely looking a little scruffy after 4 weeks, but I sometimes put a scarf over it. Oh, and I did develop a bit of dandruff!

Good luck with your surgery and rehab.

[Anje]

Will you be able to raise your post-op hand enough that you can use it to hold a bun or something til your more capable hand secures it? I imagine that would help a lot. I would keep it in a braid much of the time and then perhaps bun or fold that so it doesn't get fuzzy too fast. A braid would at least keep it all contained and more manageable for one hand to style, and you can leave it hanging if you're frustrated and out of ideas. You might be able to do side-braids with one hand, though I imagine doing that with one carpel-tunnel-afflicted hand while the other can't move might be challenging.

If all else fails (including friends and family), I'll bet you can find a local stylist who will wash it and re-braid it for you as often as needed.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=117808 This thread might help you out.

Edit: More threads:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=43237
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=92073
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=30361
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=99741

Edit 2: Guess it says something about my personality that I go straight to the "what to do" and forget to wish you luck with the surgery.... sorry about that.
Good luck with the surgery! I hope your recovery is swift, and that it works really really well!

[animetor7]

How long is the worst of the recovery time? If it's not too long you could always try torrinpaige's practical hair taping for the worst of it so that you just don't have to deal with your hair but it's still protected. I do recommend oiling it some before putting it up if you go with this route though, it helps with the take down process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlwnlfDYzk8

[PixieP]

No advice here, just wishing you all the best :)

[spidermom]

I hope surgery and recovery goes well, Peggy. I find that braids work best when I'm ill and can't do much.

[Peggy E.]

gosh, having trouble signing in again....

thanks for the replies. imagine some form of braids is going to be the answer. will figure something out, but will have to be soon: 10/27 and 11/10 is surgery dates!

[irishsapphire]

Wish you the best on surgery! Hopefully you heal quickly and fully!

Also, so glad you started this thread :D I'm looking at potentially having to have Carpal and/or Cubital Tunnel surgery on my hand, and I was wondering about this too :)