Mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can often be treated with medication, rest and changes in routines that may otherwise worsen the condition. However, surgery is often recommended for patients who experience symptoms such as radiating wrist pain for six months or more. Surgery is usually an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic. Afterward the wrist is typically immobilized in a splint or heavy bandage for about a week. Complete recovery may take several weeks to a few months. The prognosis after carpal tunnel release is usually good. However, the surgery may be less effective in those who have suffered severe tissue damage or who have had carpal tunnel syndrome for a long period of time. Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome is rare in those who have been surgically treated for the disorder.
Carpal tunnel release surgery is a procedure to relieve symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, which involves pressure on the median nerve of the wrist, resulting in pain, numbness and weakness. Carpal tunnel release is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway inside the palm side of the wrist. It encloses the median nerve and nine tendons that bend the fingers. The median nerve supplies sensation to the thumb, the first two fingers, part of the third finger and provides motor function to some of the muscles in the hand. Compression of the median nerve produces the numbness, tingling, pain and hand weakness associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome that involves mild nerve impairment often can be treated with medication, various therapies and modifications of routines that exacerbate the condition. However, in some cases surgery may be necessary to adequately relieve symptoms associated with this disorder, which may include:
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