HAND SURGERY / CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY

HAND SURGERY/CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY

Carpal tunnel surgery cuts the transverse carpal ligament.  This decompresses the nerve, which lessens the pressure on it.  Patients no longer feel pain or numbness.

Before undergoing surgery, patients usually try to solve their problem with non-invasive treatments such as corticosteroid injections (which reduce pain and inflammation), wearing a wrist splint at night and  anti-inflammatory drugs.

For more advanced cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery is the indication of choice.  Surgery is indicated for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, when it causes numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, or atrophy.

BEFORE SURGERY

Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome should discuss treatment options before surgery, to see if symptoms can be relieved with surgical treatment.  The doctor normally performs a physical examination, specifically testing for tenderness in the fingers and hand strength.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

With open surgery, an incision is made in the palm of the hand through which the transverse carpal ligament is cut.  This causes decompression of the median nerve, which will result in pain relief and numbness.

Carpal tunnel surgery can be performed open or endoscopic.

Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery is less invasive

AFTER THE TREATMENT

After the procedure, it is recommended to bend and stretch the fingers regularly.

Keep your arm elevated at night to reduce inflammation.  It is important to keep the dressing clean and dry.  After open surgery, it may take up to 04 weeks for full recovery.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY

The discomfort and numbness may disappear immediately after surgery or may take several months to fade, especially during severe compressions.ere compressions.