Carpal Tunnel is often associated with pain, numbness and tingling in the fingers and although some non-surgical options have shown promise, many cases still require surgery. If you’ve been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel and have questions about surgery, look no further than our expert surgical team. Read on to learn more.
What is Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal Tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on your median nerve. The median nerve runs through your wrist passing through the carpal tunnel. This nerve is what provides your fingers, (excluding your pinky), with feeling. Swelling and inflammation in the wrist can cause pressure on the median nerve and is described as carpal tunnel syndrome. Overtime, the muscles in your hands and wrists will weaken and symptoms can worsen as it progresses.
The Treatment
Carpal Tunnel surgery is performed under local anesthesia to numb your hand. There are two types of surgery that can be performed for carpal tunnel release: open surgery and endoscopic surgery. With either surgery, the surgeon will cut the surrounding ligament and the carpal tunnel to release the pressure on the median nerve and reduce symptoms.
Open Surgery
Open surgery will have your surgeon make an incision up to 2.5 inches from your wrist to your palm.
Endoscopic Surgery (Not Available Here)
With endoscopic surgery, your surgeon will make a single small cut around your wrist and a secondary small opening may sometimes be needed higher up your forearm. A small camera will be placed inside your arm with a surgical instrument able to assist in cutting the ligament.
With both types of surgery, the incision/opening will be stitched closed to heal. Recovery tends to be quicker with endoscopic surgery as the openings are smaller.
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