How Does Carpal Tunnel Surgery Work?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a pathway through the wrist formed by ligaments and bones through which the median nerve passes. Some people inherently have more narrow carpal tunnels and are more predisposed to developing the disorder. When the ligaments are strained or overworked, they can become inflamed and swollen. Repetitive activity with the hands and wrists frequently are the causes of the inflammation. When this occurs, the median nerve is compressed, causing pain and numbness in the palm, fingers and thumb. It can also make the muscles of the hand weak. Other factors that can lead to carpal tunnel include rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, fluid retention, bursitis and tendinitis.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
If other treatments fail to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome after several months, then doctors usually suggest carpal tunnel surgery. If signs of severe nerve damage is present, such as loss of strength in the fingers or thumb, then surgery may need to be performed sooner.
Procedure
Carpal tunnel surgery can be performed two ways, either endoscopic surgery or with an incision. To release the pressure on the median nerve that runs through the wrist the surgeon will cut the transverse carpel ligament. The ends of the ligament are left separated. Scar tissue will eventually fill the gap.
Post Op
Carpal tunnel surgery is successful in 95 percent of cases. There is a very small risk of nerve damage to the median nerve caused by the surgery. The greater risk to patients is post operative infection or complications with general anesthesia, although general anesthesia is rarely used for this surgery. Usually surgeons will use a local anesthetic or regional block. Because this is an outpatient surgery, patients will go home shortly after the procedure.
Recovery
After surgery, the hand is wrapped in a bandage. The hand will be immobilized with a splint for several weeks. The stitches can be removed after 2 weeks. When the surgery is done on the non-dominant hand, patients can return to light duty in 2 days. Normal activity can be returned to in 10 to 14 days. If the surgery is on the dominant hand, the patient will require 12 weeks to return to normal activity levels.
Tags: median nerve, carpal tunnel, Carpal Tunnel, tunnel surgery, Tunnel Surgery, Carpal tunnel, Does Carpal