If the numbness and tingling in your hands and wrist has gone from bad to worse. If you can no longer perform daily activities, pick up small objects, and you lose your grip. If you have tried natural and alternative treatments like massage therapy, chiropractic, herbs and anti-inflammatory medications, you may have no choice but to try a surgical procedure for your carpal tunnel syndrome.

While surgery should always be your last choice for treatment, sometimes it simply can’t be avoided. If any of the above scenarios describe your situation, your next step may be surgery. Before you consider surgery, you need to know your options, the expected results, and the possible recovery time.

Surgical Procedures

There are two types of surgery available for carpal tunnel syndrome. The most common is called "open release surgery." This surgery consists of making an incision of approximately two inches in your wrist and cutting the carpal ligament. This procedure reduces pressure on the median nerve and "releases" it, hence the name.

Open release surgery is usually done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.

The second type of carpal tunnel syndrome surgery is called "endoscopic surgery." This surgery is much less invasive and allows faster recovery than open release surgery. For this procedure, the surgeon makes two incisions approximately ½" each in the wrist and palm.

He inserts a camera that is attached to a tube so he can see the tissue in the carpal tunnel area on a screen. The carpal ligament, which is the tissue that holds the joints together, is then cut releasing the median nerve.

This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient. This surgery minimizes scarring and scar tenderness.

Recovery Time

Many carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers report immediate relief from their symptoms following surgery. This doesn’t mean, however, that recovery time isn’t required. Recovery time can take anywhere from six weeks to three months.

Some patients experience complications due to infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and scar pain. Sometimes, patients report loss of wrist strength due to the carpal ligament being permanently cut.

It is recommended that patients attend physical therapy sessions for full recovery.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery Results

Results from surgery vary widely depending on the patient and where you get your information. Some reports state that most patients have "full" recovery with no recurrence.

Other sources state that improvement is achieved in 70% of the cases with full restoration in only 60% of the patients. There is also some discrepancy in reports regarding scar tissue. Some sources report that after the carpal ligament is cut during surgery, it heals back with scar tissue which is normal for the body. The problem occurs if the scar tissue is a large amount and once again blocks the carpal tunnel, again compressing the median nerve. This would result in carpal tunnel syndrome again.

If you are considering surgery for your carpal tunnel syndrome, get references from friends and family who have experienced carpal tunnel syndrome and have had the surgery. Get recommendations about which doctors and surgical procedure to choose.

Jason Ladock

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