Carpal Tunnel Got You Down?
Many of the adults who manage carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) will attest that the condition has a significant bearing on quality of life. This is a chronic and potentially debilitating hand and wrist condition involving pinched nerves in the carpal tunnel. While there are different non-surgical options, some patients need surgery for long-term relief. Carpal tunnel surgery was once performed using traditional surgery, consisting of a long incision and recovery. Now, endoscopic release is another effective surgical procedure for carpal tunnel relief. This minimally invasive surgery (MIS) provides benefits that extend long after the procedure.
Understanding carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common hand and wrist condition that involves obstruction of the median nerve. This crucial nerve runs through the wrist and extends to several fingers of the hand. At the wrist, the median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel, a sheath of tissue, tendon, and bone. Sometimes, the carpal tunnel becomes inflamed, pinching the median nerve and creating CTS. Common symptoms include wrist pain, hand pain, numbness, and reduced function. Over time, weakness, reduced grip strength, and dexterity can occur. Almost anyone can get CTS, but repetitive wrist motions, obesity, diabetes, and pregnancy are common risk factors.
Let’s go conservative
While CTS is common and can become serious, there are treatment options available. Anyone experiencing chronic pain should seek medical advice, especially from an orthopedic specialist or hand surgeon. These medical experts can test and diagnose the condition. Most patients respond well to conservative, non-surgical treatment. Wrist splints, along with pain medication and hot and cold therapy, relieve most cases. These options are sometimes combined with physical therapy (PT) to improve hand strength and flexibility and reduce inflammation. Some patients also get relief with corticosteroid injections lasting several months. Patients are encouraged to try these options first before considering surgery.
A much-needed release
There are instances where non-surgical options fail to bring relief. In other cases, carpal tunnel damage can be so significant that non-surgical options will not improve symptoms. At this point, surgery can provide long-term relief and improve quality of life. Endoscopic release uses MIS to remove parts of the damaged or inflamed tissue. This removes pressure on the median nerve and relieves symptoms. Endoscopic release uses 1-2 incisions of less than an inch. Through a single incision, the surgeon inserts an endoscope consisting of a light and a camera. This sends images of the damaged carpal tunnel to an external monitor. Using these images and additional small surgical tools through another incision, the surgeon completes the surgery. Endoscopic release is growing in popularity over traditional carpal tunnel release surgery.
Long-term benefits
Endoscopic release for CTS not only relieves the pinched nerve but has a host of other benefits. Patients get treatment using a minimally invasive procedure, which means less blood loss and postoperative pain. Scarring and the risk of infection or complications are also reduced significantly. Endoscopic release can be performed in an outpatient setting, meaning patients can plan the surgery and leave the facility on the same day. Recovery is also faster because smaller incisions heal more quickly, leading to reduced inflammation. The elective nature of surgery means patients can plan in advance while not losing significant time away from work or sport. Statistics show that endoscopic carpal tunnel release has an over 90% success rate.
Ease the pinch with surgery
For many individuals with CTS the condition can disrupt work, sport, and daily activities. While rest, pain medication, and splinting helps, in the long run, some CTS patients continue to struggle with pain. Endoscopic release is an effective, minimally invasive option that improves symptoms while minimizing tissue damage. Compared to traditional open surgery, the procedure has a faster recovery timeline, so relief from a pinched nerve is faster. Anyone considering carpal tunnel release should seek advice from an orthopedic surgeon who is a powerful ally in ensuring patients achieve long-term hand health.
