Carpal tunnel syndrome

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a set of symptoms associated with compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel (see figure below). This disease belongs to compression neuropathies, which means that mechanical pressure is responsible for unfavorable changes in the nerve.

Surgery

During the surgical procedure, the carpal tunnel is released by cutting the degenerated flexor retinaculum, which causes pressure on the median nerve. This relieves the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The incision is made at the base of the hand. This allows the doctor to see the transverse carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum). After cutting the ligament, the surgical wound is sutured with skin sutures.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, after the procedure you can go home the same day.

What to expect after surgery:

After the procedure, the hand is wrapped. The sutures are removed after approx. 10 days. Pain and numbness may subside immediately after the procedure, or it may take several months. Try to avoid heavy hand use for up to 3 months.
If you have surgery on your dominant hand and perform repetitive activities at work, you may be able to return to work in 6 to 8 weeks. Repetitive movements include typing on a computer or working on an assembly line. If you had surgery on the other hand and you are not doing repetitive work activities, you may be able to return to work within 4 weeks.

When Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery is Considered:

If symptoms are present after a long period of non-surgical treatment. In general, surgery is considered if injections of steroids and a few weeks of resting the wrist do not have a therapeutic effect.
If the EMG examination shows nerve damage, surgery is necessary.
Severe symptoms (such as prolonged loss of feeling or coordination in the fingers or hand, or lack of strength in the thumb) limit everyday activities.
Damage to the median nerve (visible on EMG and loss of hand or finger function) threatens irreversible loss of function.
Tumors or other growths must be removed.

After surgery

Most people experience less or no symptoms of hand pain and numbness right after carpal tunnel surgery.
In rare cases, symptoms of pain and numbness (the most common complication) may return, or there may be a temporary loss of strength when pinching or grasping an object due to transverse carpal ligament rupture.
If the thumb muscles have been severely weakened or severed, hand strength and function may be limited even after surgery.