The “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” is a medical condition that involves numbness, tingling, and other symptoms in the hand and arm. The condition is due to a compressed nerve in the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist.
There are many factors that can cause carpal tunnel syndromes such as the anatomy of your wrist, health concerns, and repetitive hand motions.
Surgical Treatment
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated by a plastic surgeon. The surgical procedure for carpal tunnel syndrome is known as “carpal tunnel release.” There are two different surgical techniques, but both relieve pressure on your median nerve through cutting the ligament that creates the tunnel’s roof. The surgery increases the size of the tunnel and decreases pressure on the median nerve.
Symptoms
Common carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include:
- Tingling and numbness in your fingers or hand.
- Weakness in the hand and a tendency to drop objects.
- Occasional shock-like sensations to the thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers
- Pain or tingling sensation that travels up the forearm toward the shoulder
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
When undergoing a carpal tunnel surgery, an incision is done to see the transverse carpal ligament which then releases pressure on the median nerve to relieve the symptoms of the condition. An open carpal tunnel release surgery is typically performed under a local anaesthetic.
Things To Expect After Surgery
The stitches are removed 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery. The pain and numbness may reduce right after surgery or it may also take several months to subside. Try to not strain your hand for up to 3 months.
Depending on the surgery you had, or if the surgery was done on your dominant hand will determine when you can return to your work activities.
Why It Is Done
Open carpal tunnel surgery is considered when:
- No improvement of symptoms even after non-surgical treatment
- Median nerve damage
- Severe symptoms such as loss of coordination in the fingers or hand, or no strength in the thumb
- Tumours or other growths that need to be removed
How Well It Works
Most people who undergo a surgical procedure for carpal tunnel syndrome shows fewer to no symptoms of pain and sensation of numbness in their fingers and hand after the surgery.
In rare cases, the symptoms may come back or there may be the possibility of a temporary loss of strength when gripping an object, due to the cutting of the transverse carpal ligament. If the thumb muscles have been weakened, hand strength and function may be limited even after surgery.
If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, visit our surgeon at Hasan Surgery in Dubai!
