Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is what is known as a "Compression Neuropathy." It occurs when the median nerve is abnormally compressed by a normal ligament in the wrist as it passes through the Carpal Tunnel. The Carpal Tunnel is the junction between the forearm and the wrist where the median nerve and the flexor tendons pass through. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and even burning pain. Symptoms are usually associated with the thumb, index finger and middle finger. If left untreated muscles in the hand may waste and permanent numbness may develop.
Unfortunately, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome does not spontaneously resolve. Symptoms can temporarily improve with splinting or a steroid injection, however, both treatment modalities only provide temporary relief. Surgical release of the carpal tunnel is the only true therapy that provides permanent relief of symptoms.
Surgical release occurs when the Transverse Carpal Ligament is transected and no longer serves as a source of compression on the median nerve.
After surgery patients typically feel varying degrees of instant relief. After surgery patients are placed in a splint for one week. Two to three sutures are normally all that is required to close the incision, and these are normally removed at the first post-operative visit a week after surgery. Patients may return to work after one week and normal activities may commence after two weeks.
