Carpal Tunnel Release

Carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure that corrects carpal tunnel syndrome. The syndrome is caused by median nerve compression in the wrist, which results in pain, weakness, and/or numbness of the hand and fingers.

Who Can Benefit From Carpal Tunnel Release?

If you have pain and tingling in your hand or fingers, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. It is usually caused by repetitive movements or a former wrist injury. After you have been diagnosed with the syndrome, there are numerous treatments that can be tried prior to surgery. Carpal tunnel release is generally only recommended if all other treatments have failed to relieve your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.

What is the Procedure Like?

Carpal tunnel release can be done as an endoscopic procedure, which means it only requires 1 or 2 tiny incisions on your palm. A small fiberoptic camera attached to a monitor is inserted so that the doctor can see what he is doing without having to make a large incision or disturb the surrounding tissue. The operation is also sometimes done using open technique which utilizes a limited incision in the base of the palm. No camera is needed in this case since the surgeon can see all structures directly.

The transverse carpal ligament is then cut to release the pressure on the nerve which passes beneath it. The entire procedure usually takes no more than an hour. If there is swollen tissue, or if you have arthritis, the doctor may want to remove some of the tissue that surrounds the nerve to further release the pressure. You may be asleep under a general anesthetic during surgery, or you may be partially awake under a sedative and a local anesthetic to numb the wrist. In either circumstance, you will feel no pain during the procedure, and you should be able to go home within a few hours of surgery.

You will need someone to drive you home, however, and you will need help around the house for the first few days, as your wrist movements will be restricted.

What Can I Expect During Recovery?

You may have to wear a splint for a few days after surgery, although in some cases, you may only be required to wear a bandage. You can expect some swelling, bruising, and minor pain after the surgery, but these can be managed with ice packs, cold compresses, and a pain medication prescription. You should avoid lifting anything for at least two weeks after the surgery, and your stitches should be removed by the doctor within two weeks.

Carpal tunnel release should relieve pain and numbness and improve strength, but it may not restore your muscle strength 100%. The degree of improvement varies from patient to patient. If you have had carpal tunnel syndrome for some time, your recovery time may be longer than someone with the syndrome for a shorter time. Full recovery from the surgery can take a few weeks to several months in severe cases. The numbness and weakness should gradually improve over a period of time after the procedure.

If your carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of repetitive movements, your doctor will give you instructions as to how to prevent a recurrence of the syndrome.

What Are the Risks of Carpal Tunnel Release?

Carpal tunnel release is a very safe surgical procedure, and complications are unusual. In extremely rare cases, the nerves can be injured during the surgery, or the surgery can fail to eliminate the symptoms experienced prior to surgery.