Carpal tunnel release is a surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Knowing about the procedure and how it works can help you determine whether you may be an ideal candidate and whether it’s time to contact University Orthopaedic Associates (UOA) to discuss this procedure in greater detail.
What Is a Carpal Tunnel Release?
Carpal tunnel release is a surgery that relieves pressure placed on the median nerve causing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, weakness and pain in your hand, wrist and/or arm.
This surgical procedure is usually performed when carpal tunnel syndrome is severe or hasn’t responded to nonsurgical treatments such as wrist splinting and medications like corticosteroids. It is usually performed in an outpatient setting, which means you can go home to recover on the same day as your surgery.
How Does This Treatment Help?
The median nerve implicated in carpal tunnel syndrome is the nerve that runs from the forearm to the hand. Any pressure on this nerve can lead to irritation, swelling and inflammation that causes symptoms including weakness, tingling and pain in the affected hand. Factors that can lead to pressure placed on the median nerve include obesity, inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and repetitive wrist flexing.
Carpal tunnel release surgery aims to release or relieve any pressure placed on the median nerve. Over time, this pressure release on the nerve can lead to complete or partial resolution of your symptoms.
What to Expect During Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery
Carpal tunnel release surgery is most often performed as an open surgery. Typically, you will receive a general anesthetic to prevent you from feeling any pain in your hand or wrist during the surgery. For patients at higher risk for sedation or general anesthesia due to comorbidities, or patients who prefer not to receive a general anesthetic, there is a new technique known as WALANT, which stands for Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet.
Whether you and your orthopedic surgeon decide on general anesthesia or WALANT, the next step is for your surgeon to make about a one-inch incision on your wrist. The ligament covering your carpal tunnel will be cut, relieving the pressure on the median nerve. Lastly, your incisions will be closed with sutures. This surgery takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
Carpal tunnel release surgery can also be performed as a minimally invasive procedure using an endoscope. An endoscope is a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to the end. This tool gives your surgeon a clear view of the inside of your wrist. In this case, you would receive a local anesthetic and your surgeon will make one or two half-inch incisions on your palm and wrist, into which the endoscope will be inserted.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Carpal Tunnel Release?
Carpal tunnel release may be ideal for you if you have severe symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or your symptoms have not improved after several weeks of nonsurgical treatments. It may also be ideal if carpal tunnel syndrome affects your quality of life despite receiving nonsurgical treatments.
Request an appointment with your primary care physician or UOA if you think you may be an ideal candidate for carpal tunnel release. An orthopaedic surgeon can evaluate your condition and discuss your available treatment options based on your symptoms and unique situation.
Recovery After Carpal Tunnel Release
Recovery from carpal tunnel release surgery can last between two and 12 weeks based on factors such as the severity of your condition, self-care, and physical therapy. In most instances, you may have to wear a brace, sling or splint for one to two weeks after surgery to keep your wrist and handle stable and to encourage healthy healing.
Your orthpaedic surgeon will give you instructions or guidelines during your recovery to ensure your hand heals as best as possible. For instance, you may be advised to eat healthy foods and stop smoking for the duration of recovery.
Contact UOA at (732) 537-0909 to request an appointment if you have an orthopaedic injury and want to discuss your available treatment options. The hand and upper extremity specialists at UOA can evaluate your condition and work with you to improve your symptoms.
