Carpal tunnel surgery relieves symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, which include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb, index, middle, and ring finger. Someone with carpal tunnel syndrome may drop things frequently due to a weakening grip. This condition affects more women than men and usually occurs in women over the age of 30. Treatments include splinting and steroid injections, but surgery may be recommended if the symptoms get worse despite nonsurgical treatment.
Is Surgery Worth It?
Many people wonder if carpal tunnel surgery is worth it. The answer is yes. About 70-90% of patients who undergo carpal tunnel surgery are satisfied with the results. A very small group of patients who have the surgery do not experience total relief from symptoms.
For the best surgical outcomes, choose a surgeon who has a wealth of experience diagnosing and treating carpal tunnel syndrome and performing carpal tunnel surgery. A skilled specialist will know if surgery or conservative treatment is best to treat your condition. In many cases, doctors will choose to treat patients with conservative approaches first. When these treatments fail to bring relief, they will recommend surgery.
In the hands of a highly-skilled surgeon, your surgery will be carried out correctly, so you experience significant, if not total, relief from symptoms afterward. Surgery is a significant, life-changing event in a person’s life. Do not settle for an inexperienced surgeon for your procedure.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
There are two approaches to carpal tunnel surgery: open and endoscopic. Open carpal tunnel release surgery is considered the standard. During the procedure, the surgeon makes a three-inch-long incision along the palm and slices the transverse carpal ligament to create a wider opening in the carpal tunnel. The minimally invasive approach is the endoscopic carpal tunnel release, which involves smaller incisions and the use of an endoscope. An endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached at the end. Inserting this tool in a very small incision made in the wrist, the surgeon sees the carpal tunnel without damaging nearby healthy tissues. Due to this, most endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery patients have less postoperative pain and have a faster recovery.
With carpal tunnel surgery, you can speed up your recovery and return to work sooner than you think. Follow your doctor’s instructions and attend physical therapy or occupational therapy sessions, and you should achieve excellent results. It can take up to six months to experience the full benefits of carpal tunnel surgery.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery in Watertown, NY
North Country Orthopaedic Group performs open release and endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery in our state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center in Watertown, where we perform our outpatient procedures. If you are interested in finding out whether surgery could be the right treatment option for you, make an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons. Call our clinic at (315) 782-1650 or use our online form. We look forward to serving you!
