Carpal Tunnel Surgery For Advanced Symptoms
For the most part, carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated effectively with several non surgical techniques.
However, for people with more worsening symptoms that have be ongoing for at least 6 months, it may be time to start considering wrist surgery as a solution to carpal tunnel pain.
During wrist surgeries, the surgeon will make an incision at the base of the hand where the median nerve is most accessible.
The surgeon will then cut away the transverse carpal ligament.
This will remove some soft tissue that is crowding the median nerve and relieve pressure, and in turn, rid of all symptoms and pain.
Once the ligament is removed, the surgeon will close up the incision and stitch it up.
It is a relatively quick procedure that only takes about an hour before the wrist is closed up.
Since it is quick and only involves the wrist, local anesthesia is used under most circumstances.
General anesthesia, and its inherent risks, are not required for this surgery.
There are two types of wrist procedures - open and endoscopic.
Open surgeries require a large incision and for most of the soft tissue to be pushed out of the way so the surgeon can maintain direct eye contact when performing the surgery.
Endoscopic procedures make use of an endoscope, which is a thin, tube like scope which allows the doctor to see inside without disturbing much of the tissue.
Both surgeries are effective.
However, endoscopic procedures have the added benefit of a quicker recovery period because of less disturbance of the muscle tissue and ligaments in the wrist.
Post operation, there is usually a temporary decrease in grip strength and maneuverability.
It takes about a week or two before you gain an optimal range of motion.
You may be required to wear a wrist splint as well for a few weeks to prevent irritating the injury and slowing the recovery stage.
Unfortunately, it make take up to several months before you have peak strength and your full range of motion back again.
The upside to surgery is that most patients feel their symptoms gone immediately after the surgery.
Studies have shown that about 90 people out of 100 felt no night time pain, with about 70 out of 100 very satisfied with surgery results.
Carpal tunnel surgery has a very high success rate, with cases of nerve damage or other complications occurring very rarely.
However, for people with more worsening symptoms that have be ongoing for at least 6 months, it may be time to start considering wrist surgery as a solution to carpal tunnel pain.
During wrist surgeries, the surgeon will make an incision at the base of the hand where the median nerve is most accessible.
The surgeon will then cut away the transverse carpal ligament.
This will remove some soft tissue that is crowding the median nerve and relieve pressure, and in turn, rid of all symptoms and pain.
Once the ligament is removed, the surgeon will close up the incision and stitch it up.
It is a relatively quick procedure that only takes about an hour before the wrist is closed up.
Since it is quick and only involves the wrist, local anesthesia is used under most circumstances.
General anesthesia, and its inherent risks, are not required for this surgery.
There are two types of wrist procedures - open and endoscopic.
Open surgeries require a large incision and for most of the soft tissue to be pushed out of the way so the surgeon can maintain direct eye contact when performing the surgery.
Endoscopic procedures make use of an endoscope, which is a thin, tube like scope which allows the doctor to see inside without disturbing much of the tissue.
Both surgeries are effective.
However, endoscopic procedures have the added benefit of a quicker recovery period because of less disturbance of the muscle tissue and ligaments in the wrist.
Post operation, there is usually a temporary decrease in grip strength and maneuverability.
It takes about a week or two before you gain an optimal range of motion.
You may be required to wear a wrist splint as well for a few weeks to prevent irritating the injury and slowing the recovery stage.
Unfortunately, it make take up to several months before you have peak strength and your full range of motion back again.
The upside to surgery is that most patients feel their symptoms gone immediately after the surgery.
Studies have shown that about 90 people out of 100 felt no night time pain, with about 70 out of 100 very satisfied with surgery results.
Carpal tunnel surgery has a very high success rate, with cases of nerve damage or other complications occurring very rarely.
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