Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Health Center

Font Size
A
A
A

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Surgery

Most people with carpal tunnel syndrome are treated without surgery. Surgery is considered only when:

  • Symptoms have not improved after a long period of nonsurgical treatment. In general, surgery is not considered until after 3 to 12 months of nonsurgical treatment. But this assumes that you are having ongoing symptoms but no sign of nerve damage. Nerve damage would make surgery more urgent.
  • Severe symptoms restrict normal daily activities, such as when there is a persistent loss of feeling or coordination in the fingers or hand, no strength in the thumb, or when sleep is severely disturbed by pain.
  • There is damage to the median nerve (shown by nerve test results and loss of hand, thumb, or finger function) or a risk of damage to the nerve.

Carpal tunnel release surgery is used to reduce the pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. This is done by cutting the ligament that forms the top of the carpal tunnel. Cutting this ligament relieves pressure on the median nerve. Any other tissue (such as a tumor) that may be putting pressure on the median nerve can also be removed during surgery.

Should I have surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome?

After surgery, it is important to avoid any activities that may have caused carpal tunnel syndrome-or change the way you do them.

Surgery Choices

The most common surgery for relieving carpal tunnel symptoms involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. Two approaches for this surgery are:

  • Open carpal tunnel release surgery, which allows the doctor to see more of the inner tissues, including the full width of the transverse carpal ligament where it is to be cut. Open surgery requires an incision in the palm and wrist, which disturbs more of the tissues in the hand, and requires a longer recovery period. It leaves a larger, potentially more bothersome scar than does endoscopic surgery. See a picture of open carpal tunnel surgery.
  • Endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery, which requires only a small incision at the wrist (single-portal technique) or at the wrist and palm (two-portal technique), and which disturbs less tissue in the hand. Recovery is quicker than with open surgery. And the scars heal more quickly, are smaller, and tend to be less painful at 3 months after surgery.4 There has been a slightly higher rate of reoperation after endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery.5 See a picture of endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery.

Some surgeons are now performing small- or mini-open release surgery. This requires a smaller incision than standard open carpal tunnel release surgery to minimize healing time and scar formation, but it also allows the surgeon to view the ligament directly during the surgery to minimize danger to the nerve itself. This procedure may be promising, but there are few studies comparing it to the open carpal tunnel or endoscopic procedures at this time.

What To Think About

Next Article:

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 29, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Video
48x48_do_you_need_a_physical_therapist.jpg

Physical therapy can put you through the paces and provide relief.

Watch Video
Advertise on Fox News Channel, FOXNews.com and FOX News Radio Jobs at FOX News Channel. Internships at FOX News Channel (now accepting Fall interns).
Terms of use. Privacy Statement. For FOXNews.com comments write to foxnewsonline@foxnews.com; For FOX News Channel comments write to comments@foxnews.com
© Associated Press. All rights reserved.
SMARTMONEY ® © 2006 SmartMoney. SmartMoney is a joint publishing venture of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. and Hearst SM Partnership. All Rights Reserved.
All quotes delayed by 20 minutes. Delayed quotes provided by ComStock.
Historical prices and fundamental data provided by Hemscott, Inc.
Mutual fund data provided by Lipper. Mutual Fund NAVs are as of previous day's close.
Earnings estimates provided by Zacks Investment Research.
Upgrades and downgrades provided by Briefing.com.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © 2006 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. All market data delayed 20 minutes.