Carpal tunnel release

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is often described as a pins-and-needles sensation in the wrist and hand or pain to the wrist, hand and fingers. A Carpal Tunnel Release clips the carpal ligament to allow the median nerve more room to get to the hand.

When is surgery recommended?
A surgery will be recommended if conservative pain management treatments fail to bring the patient relief. It will also be recommended in one of the following scenarios:

A nerve conduction study shows severe compression of the median nerve, confirming carpal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms last for longer than 6 months with no relief

The muscles in the hand and wrist are very weak and visibly smaller because of the severity of the pinched median nerve.

Carpal Tunnel Release Procedure

Carpal Tunnel Release procedures can be done in one of two ways. The traditional open procedure, where an incision is made in the middle of the wrist, or with an endoscopic procedure. The endoscopic procedure calls for an incision to the side of the wrist and the use of cameras to help visualize the anatomy of the wrist through a smaller incision.

Procedure

Incision

A small incision is made either to the middle (open) of the wrist or the side (endoscopic).

Visualization

For an endoscopic procedure a narrow tube with a fiber-optic camera is placed inside a half inch incision. Another incision is made for small instruments to cut the Transverse Carpal Ligament. An open procedure requires only one incision, 1 to 2 inches at the middle of the wrist. General surgical instruments are used to cut the ligament.

Patients are typically awake during the procedure with only regional or local anesthesia used to numb the wrist.

After the ligament is cut, the incisions are closed and the wrist and hand will be heavily bandaged to keep you from moving your wrist

Recovery Time

You will be monitored for a short time after the procedure and allowed to go home on the same day. This procedure rarely requires a night stay at the hospital.