Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery

Carpal tunnel release is now one of the most common surgical procedures performed for the relief of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. If a person has been showing the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome for at least 6 months then surgery can be performed to sever the band of tissue which surrounds the wrist and reduce pressure on the median nerve.

Open Release Surgery

Open release surgery is typically the procedure which is used to resolve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and consists of making an incision up to 2 inches in the wrist and then cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel.

The open release surgery procedure is completed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, however if there are any medical considerations a hospital stay may be required.

Endoscopic Surgery

Endoscopic surgery can often permit faster functional recovery and less discomfort following surgery compared to traditional open release surgery. Two incisions (about ½" each) are made in the wrist and palm. The surgeon then places a camera attached to a tube into the incision and examines the tissue on a screen. The carpal ligament (the tissue that holds joints together) is then cut accordingly.

Endoscopic surgery is completed under local anesthesia and is a very effective treatment. It minimizes scarring and scar tenderness should any develop.

Surgery Considerations

Although symptoms may be relieved after surgery, full recovery from carpal tunnel surgery can take months. Patients may have infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and pain at the scar where surgery was performed.

Occasionally the wrist loses strength because the carpal ligament is cut and patients would need to undergo physical therapy after surgery to restore their wrist strength. In certain cases people may need to adjust job duties or even change jobs after recovery from surgery.