Carpal tunnel syndrome usually begins with symptoms of numbness, tingling, or burning in one or both hands. Some patients wake up at nighttime with pins and needles in their fingers, others may feel their hands fall asleep when they are driving, and some may feel sudden jolts of “electricity” in the hand when doing heavy labor. Carpal tunnel syndrome can present with a wide array of symptoms, but it is a very common issue. Generally, the disease process starts gradually beginning with intermittent symptoms that may become more frequent over time.
Once the disease process has progressed, patients may notice difficulty with fine motor skills such as buttoning a shirt or picking up coins. Addressing carpal tunnel syndrome at or near its onset is most beneficial and will help ensure no permanent loss of muscle or sensation. There are several different treatment options that we will discuss in further detail, but first, we want you to gain a simple understanding of the disease process.
Courtesy: www.aaos.org
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be diagnosed through careful examination and special tests that our doctors will perform in our office. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, our doctors may order nerve studies from a neurologist to help delineate the extent of nerve compression and damage, although this is not always necessary.
Carpal tunnel release surgery may be done as an open procedure or endoscopically. The endoscopic carpal tunnel release involves making a small 1.5cm incision in the palm or the distal wrist crease and introducing a small endoscopic camera under the transverse carpal ligament.
The transverse carpal ligament (the roof of the tunnel) is cut across its entire length with a special blade that is attached to the camera. An open carpal tunnel release is done through a slightly larger incision. In this case, the transverse carpal ligament is cut through direct visualization.
Either way, this allows the tunnel to open up and decompresses the median nerve. It is important to note that cutting this ligament will not cause any loss of strength or function.
The camera allows your doctor to visualize the entire carpal tunnel through a small incision. The transverse carpal ligament (the roof of the tunnel) is cut across its entire length with a special blade that is attached to the camera. An open carpal tunnel release is done through a slightly larger incision. In this case, the transverse carpal ligament is cut through direct visualization. Either way, this allows the tunnel to open up and decompresses the median nerve. It is important to note that cutting this ligament will not cause any loss of strength or function.
As our patient, you will have an in-depth consultation with one of our doctors. We will create an individualized treatment plan together, tailored to your problem and lifestyle. Our doctors prefer non-invasive treatments whenever possible, including physical therapy and/or injections. If your problem ultimately does require surgery, our doctors prefer the least invasive surgical techniques possible. Our goals are the same as yours: to get you back to living your best life, pain free.
