Carpal tunnel surgery can offer relief from hand pain, numbness, and weakness caused bycarpal tunnel syndrome.
The procedure involves cutting a ligament in the hand to ease pressure on themedian nerve.
It also explains the recovery process and what to expect during the operation.
Gardinovacki/Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel symptoms in the fingers include:
Symptoms typically develop slowly.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include wrist injuries, thyroid gland issues,rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
Carpal tunnel surgery is generally indicated when you fail to respond to conservative therapies after more than six months.
Who Needs Carpal Tunnel Surgery?
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Other in-office tests will check for loss of sensation.
Generally speaking, open and endoscopic carpal tunnel surgeries have similar response rates.
The surgery usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
Open release surgery is the only option in some cases with visualization difficulties or anatomical variations.
Endoscopic Release
An endoscopic release surgery is done entirely beneath the skin.
A surgeon uses these pictures along with very tiny surgical tools to perform the procedure.
This is not to suggest that endoscopic surgery is “better” than open surgery.
Consideration also needs to be given to the skill and experience of the surgeon.
The top preference was mini-open release with 46% of respondents selecting that option.
How to Prepare for Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Carpal tunnel surgery is an outpatient procedure.
Some orthopedist offices are equipped with surgical facilities that can handle uncomplicated procedures.
Wear clothes that are loose-fitting and easy to take off and put back on.
Leave any valuables at home, including jewelry and watches.
Food and Drink
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
You will be allowed to take a few sips of water to take any morning medications.
You may also need to avoid taking some of these medications for up to two weeks following surgery.
If an upfront payment ofcoinsurance or copaycosts is required, ask the office which form of payment they accept.
In addition, you will need to bring a friend or family member to drive you home.
Tobacco smoke causes generalized narrowing of blood vessels, restricting the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches tissues.
This can slow healing and increase the risk ofscar formationand scar sensitivity.
An operating nurse will accompany the surgeon.
Unless local anesthesia is used, ananesthesiologistwill also be present.
Yourvital signs(including temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate) will be taken.
During the Surgery
Once the anesthesia has taken full effect, the surgery can begin.
The hand and wrist are then splinted to immobilize them, though the fingers can remain free.
Your healthcare provider will want to ensure that you’re able to wiggle your fingers before you leave.
You will likely experience pain and discomfort in your hand or wrist following carpal tunnel surgery.
Your healthcare provider may provide oral medications such asTylenol (acetaminophen)to help control it.
Once your surgeon approves it, a friend or family member can take you home.
Note that carpal tunnel syndrome sometimes arises during pregnancy.
You may need to take some time off or shift your work responsibilities to make it accommodate.
Once home, you will need to limit activity for the first 24 hours.
you might also take Tylenol (acetaminophen) every four to six hours to control pain.
Healing
Your sutures will likely be removed after seven to 14 days.
While you heal, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for changing your dressing.
Take care not to get the sutures wet.
Limit showers to no more than five to seven minutes.
During this time, it’s important to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous movements.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Complications from carpal tunnel surgery are uncommon but can occur.
Physical therapycan help you better cope with recovery and return to the pre-treatment state.
you might start it as soon as the sutures are removed.
Yourphysical therapistcan help restore strength andrange of motionwith gentle exercises, which can also reduce scarring and scar sensitivity.
After that, you might continue as maintenance therapy.
They may repeat a QoL test and other evaluations to assess your response to treatment.
It is important to keep any follow-up appointments your healthcare provider schedules.
If the symptoms are fully resolved after several months, you likely won’t need ongoing medical care.
It can be performed as an open release or an endoscopic release.
The procedure can be performed by an orthopedic or hand surgeon.
Smoking is also not advised within two weeks of the procedure.
Working with physical and occupational therapists can help you return to a pre-treatment state.
Housley SB, Vakharia K, Winograd EK, Siddiqui AH.Endoscopic carpal tunnel release.World Neurosurg.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
2020;12(3):e7333.
doi:10.7759/cureus.7333
American College of Orthopedic Surgeons.Management of carpal tunnel syndrome evidence-based clinical practice guideline.
2015;10(6):e0128420.
Hospital for Special Surgery.Carpal tunnel surgery: How it works and recovery time.
University of Michigan: Michigan Health.Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Shin EK.Endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel release.Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med.
2017;51(5):329-35. doi:10.1080/2000656X.2016.1265531
American Board of Surgery.Hand surgery.
2014;49(5):437-45. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2014.08.002
Kaiser Permanente.Pregnancy: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
2018;43(10):913-9. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.08.011
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery.Therapeutic exercise program for carpal tunnel syndrome.
