CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE

OVERVIEW

Relieving the painful symptoms of carpal tunnel is only one goal of our endoscopic release surgery for the condition. At Elite Plastic Surgery, we also improve the function of the wrist and the hand after the compression is released from the median nerve within the narrow passageway on the palm side of the wrist. This surgery, performed by our plastic, reconstructive, and hand surgeons, Dr. Torabi, is called carpal tunnel release surgery. As an open or endoscopic surgery, both treat carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel release surgery is an option when you suffer from:

• Severe, sharp pain, aching, functional impairment, and reduced sensation in fingers and palm that lasts for more than 6 months
• Considerable decrease in the ability to grasp objects by hand
• Symptoms indicating altered wrist and hand muscles
• Electromyography examinations indicate severity of the condition
• Inability to complete daily tasks because of pain or deformation of the hand
• Chronic, negative medial nerve impact
• No relief from nonsurgical treatments, and continued symptoms despite interventions

If you would like to know more about our carpal tunnel surgeries at Elite Plastic Surgery in Phoenix, AZ please call and schedule a consultation.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

There are 2 different surgeries performed to surgically treat carpal tunnel syndrome – open release surgery and endoscopic surgery. Either procedure takes about 60 – 90 minutes. For many of our patients, we perform the carpal surgery on 1 hand at a time.

TYPES OF SURGERIES

• Open release: After a general anesthetic, this surgery involves a small incision, 1 –2 inches in size, made in the wrist area. The hand surgeon is then able to see and sever the carpal tunnel ligament clearly, and relieve the painful symptoms.
• Endoscopic release: A local anesthetic is implemented before 2 small incisions are made in the hand, and tiny tubes are inserted into each of the incisions. A small endoscopic camera is fed through an incision, and a small knife through the other. The camera gives a clear view of the carpal ligament, which allows the hand surgeon to cut through it without having to open the skin or carpal tunnel cover.

WHAT TO EXPECT

After your surgery, your hand will need to be bandaged for 5 – 7 days. Patients are advised to rest for 1 – 2 days. They can use their hand with some restrictions once the bandage is removed. Finger movements can be started from the next day, and light activities can be performed after a week. Soft tissue massages after 4 weeks help aid in a faster recovery.

IN RECOVERY

In recovery, your hand will need to be bandaged for 5 – 7 days. Make sure to continually wear your wrist splints. You can use your hand with some restrictions once the bandage is removed. Open release surgery takes more time to recover from than endoscopic surgery for the initial phase. However, in the long term, recovery duration is almost same. Finger movements can be started from the next day and light activities can be performed after a week. Soft tissue massages after 4 weeks help in faster recovery. Recovery takes about 6 weeks. No grasping, pinching, stressful task, or motor control exercise is allowed until that time.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The carpal tunnel syndrome cannot be cured completely, but its symptoms can be alleviated and the success rate of this surgery is up to 90% or more. There are many clinics across the country that have specialists who perform this surgery with skill and expertise. Once the surgery is successfully completed, the chances of recurrence in the patient after years is rare. The surgery is not very complicated or time consuming, and in the hands of the best surgeons, such as Dr. Torabi, there is no reason to be fearful.

REVERSE CARPAL TUNNEL

If you are suffering from irreversible pain in your hands and wrists, or have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, please call and schedule a carpal tunnel consultation today. When you have a profession where using your hands is an important part of your job, being pain-free is essential. Enhance your quality of life. Our hand surgeons at Elite Plastic Surgery can provide you with long-term relief. Call today.