Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The carpal tunnel is a passageway through the wrist carrying tendons and one of the hand's major nerves. Pressure may build up within the tunnel because of disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis), injury, fluid retention during pregnancy, overuse, or repetitive motions. The resulting pressure on the nerve within the tunnel causes a tingling sensation in the hand, often accompanied by numbness, aching, and impaired hand function. This is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

In some cases, splinting of the hand and anti-inflammatory medications will relieve the problem. If this doesn't work, however, surgery may be required.

What is Carpal Tunnel Release?

Your surgeon makes an incision from the middle of the palm to the wrist. He or she will then cut the tissue that's pressing on the nerve, in order to release the pressure.

During surgery, you may be asleep under a general anesthetic or awake under a sedative and a local anesthetic, which numbs the wrist. You should feel no pain during the procedure and be able to go home within a few hours of surgery.  Someone will need to drive you home and during the initial recovery period, someone will need to help you with daily activities, as your wrist movements will be restricted.  A large dressing and splint are used after surgery to restrict motion and promote healing. The scar will gradually fade and become barely visible.

What to Expect After Your Surgery

A splint may be worn for several days after surgery, along with a bandage. Expect some swelling, bruising, and minor pain after the surgery, which can be managed with ice packs, cold compresses, and a pain medication prescription. Avoid lifting anything for at least two weeks after the surgery.  The doctor will remove your stitches within two weeks.

This procedure can relieve pain and numbness and improve strength, but it might completely restore your muscle strength. Improvement varies from patient to patient, partly depending on how long they have experienced carpal tunnel syndrome.  In some severe cases, recovery and improvement will take a few weeks

The results of the surgery will depend in part on how long the condition has existed and how much damage has been done to the nerve. For that reason, it's a good idea to see a doctor early if you think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome.