Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of numbness and tingling in the hands, which is caused by compression of the median nerve as it travels through a tunnel in the wrist. The majority of patients develop carpal tunnel due to the position of their hands while sleeping at night. Constant compression of the nerve leads to numbness, tingling, and occasionally weakness in the hand.
When nonsurgical treatments do not relieve the symptoms, surgery may be required. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is a method of surgery that uses a small minimally-invasive device to relieve pressure around the median nerve. The surgery is completed with a thin tube attached to a camera. The scope is inserted through a small incision on the wrist and the scope device is used to cut the transverse carpal ligament, which releases pressure around the nerve. A small, absorbable suture is used to close the incision.
The potential benefits of the endoscopic carpal tunnel release method include a shorter recovery time and smaller incision. Return to work status after surgery depends on job requirements. Many patients that have desk type jobs return to work 3-4 days after the surgery.
If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, reach out to the upper extremity specialists at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine.
