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Carpal Tunnel Relief Surgery

Carpal tunnel syndrome typically affects people who must make repetitive wrist movements on a daily basis. These movements irritate and inflame the carpal tunnel, which is composed of the carpal ligament and bone, and encases the median nerve and tendons. The inflammation of the carpal tunnel compresses the median nerve, which results in the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated in various ways, including an operation called carpal tunnel release surgery.

  1. Candidates

    • Some people are better candidates for carpal tunnel relief through surgery, depending on the severity and duration of their symptoms. If symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling are severe and last 10 months or more, the carpal tunnel sufferer is a good candidate for carpal tunnel release surgery.

    Surgery Procedure

    • Carpal tunnel release surgery is a relatively non-invasive surgery that can be performed on an outpatient basis. Open release surgery involves a large incision in the wrist, through which the doctor locates and severs the carpal ligament. Endoscopic surgery is accomplished with two smaller incisions. A camera allows the doctor to find and sever the carpal ligament without causing as much damage to the surrounding tissue. In both cases, cutting the carpal ligament releases the median nerve, relieving the pressure that causes carpal tunnel symptoms.

    Rehabilitation

    • Individuals who have had carpal tunnel release surgery must perform physical therapy and special exercises in order to restore the strength in their wrists. During the rehabilitation process, it is necessary to avoid the activities that caused carpal tunnel symptoms.

    Return of Symptoms

    • On occasion, when the carpal ligament grows back or in the event that the carpal ligament was not fully severed during surgery, symptoms return. In the event the carpal ligament continues to compress the median nerve, carpal tunnel release surgery may need to be repeated to alleviate the symptoms.

    Risks

    • While carpal tunnel release surgery is very common, it does come with some risks. Some individuals who have this surgery lose strength in their wrist while others experience nerve damage or stiffness in the wrist and hand. There is also a risk of infection as a result of the surgery.

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