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What Is Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

In some individuals, the pathway for the median nerve in the wrist, known as the carpal tunnel, becomes constricted, irritated or inflamed, due to repetitive motion. This can cause varying degrees of pain, numbness, and loss of strength in the hand. Carpal tunnel surgery is performed in order to widen this pathway and prevent further discomfort.

  1. Anesthesia

    • Carpal tunnel surgery is performed under local or twilight anesthesia. A local anesthetic is injected into the hand in order to numb the area prior to surgery. Some patients prefer to not be aware during this surgery, and request twilight anesthesia, so that they will have no memory of the surgery. This procedure is not considered a major surgery, so general anesthesia is not used except in unique circumstances.

    Anatomy

    • The carpal tunnel is a small passage made of ligaments and bones at the wrist. The median nerve, which provides sensation to the front of the hand, and the tendons pass through this tunnel. If the carpal tunnel becomes irritated or swollen for any reason, this will compress the median nerve, and result in pain and numbness in the hand, wrist and arm.

    Procedure

    • Carpal tunnel surgery, which is also known as open release surgery, is a minimally invasive and relatively simple procedure. During this surgery, an incision is made in the wrist, cutting through the carpal ligaments. This incision opens the carpal tunnel, releasing the tendons and the median nerve from their compressed state.

    Recovery

    • After carpal tunnel surgery, prolonged rehabilitation is often necessary in order to regain full use of the hand. Finger, hand and wrist exercises are used to ensure that the nerves and tendons in the incision area remain mobile. During the recovery period, patients must wear braces to prevent strain to the area and avoid lifting heavy weights.

    Considerations

    • Carpal tunnel surgery is not always the best solution for carpal tunnel syndrome. Individuals who have not tried alternate treatments or who have not had carpal tunnel problems for very long are not prime candidates for this procedure. Even individuals whose symptoms make them a good candidate for carpal tunnel surgery may not find permanent relief, as symptoms can return within two years when the carpal ligament grows back together.

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