ABOUT Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery - Maximed Turkey
What Is Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery?
Carpal tunnel release surgery is a procedure that
relieves pressure on the median nerve in your wrist caused by inflammation or
tightness of the carpal tunnel.
The median nerve runs from your forearm into your hand
and controls some of the functions of your hand and arm. It's also responsible
for sensations such as warmth, cold, and pain.
The median nerve passes through a small opening in a
set of bands of connective tissue called carpal bones. When these narrowings
become inflamed or narrowed over time, they can cause pain in certain parts of
your wrist.
If you have carpal tunnel release surgery, the surgeon
will make an incision in the palm side of your wrist using a special tool
called a scalpel. The incision will be large enough to allow the scalpel to fit
through the wide opening in your wrist.
The incision will not affect any of your fingers or
hand movement. You may feel some pressure when the incision is made, but this
usually disappears quickly when it's closed.
The surgeon will then remove all or part of the webbing
between two bones in your wrist called the scaphoid bone and lunate bone.
Why Might I Need Carpal Tunnel Surgery?
The median nerve is a small nerve that runs from the
wrist to the thumb and little finger. The carpal tunnel is a narrow space
between the bones of your wrists where the median nerve passes through. When
these narrowings become inflamed or narrowed over time, they can cause pain in
certain parts of your wrist.
Rarely, a condition called entrapment neuropathy may
occur if pressure on the median nerve can't be relieved by normal digital
messages or other methods. In this rare condition, pressure on the nerve can
lead to numbness or weakness in your hand or fingers, as well as pain and
tingling in different nerves of your arm and shoulder.
What Are The Risks Of Carpal Tunnel Surgery?
As with any surgery, the risks of carpal tunnel release
may include:
·
Bleeding
·
Infection
·
Blood clots in your arms and legs (deep vein
thrombosis) are caused by a condition called regional limb ischemia (loss of
blood supply to the limbs) while you're on the operating table.
·
This risk is increased if you're taking
blood-thinning medication or have a history of deep vein thrombosis.
·
Talk to your surgeon about ways to manage this
risk before having surgery.
·
Regional limb ischemia can cause severe and
permanent injury, such as muscle and nerve damage.
A Neurological Event
This is a risk of all surgeries but is more likely to
happen in patients with an existing condition or risk factors.
These are events that are usually short-term,
reversible, and respond well to treatment. This can include seizures (fits)
caused by brain injury or swelling of the brain, inability to move your legs or
arms, inability to talk or understand speech, trembling of your tongue or face
that doesn't stop after it starts, difficulty swallowing food, and liquids
afterward often causing you to vomit them up. More severe events include
paralysis of one arm or leg with no recovery possible after the event.
Frequently Asked Questions Carpal Tunnel Surgery
What Happens After Carpal Tunnel Surgery?
After surgery, you'll spend at least one night in the
hospital. You may be able to go home the same day, depending on how quickly
your recovery progresses.
Most people can return to their normal activities after
1-3 days and will recover fully within two weeks.
What Kind Of Function Do My Hand And Arm Have After Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery?
You may notice that your hand or arm feels numb or
weak. You should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous work for at least 12 weeks
(although some surgeons recommend as much as 18 months) following surgery to
minimize pain and swelling. If you use your hands regularly, return them to
normal use as quickly as possible.
What Are The Aftermath Complications?
Medical complications after carpal tunnel release
surgery can include:
Amputation of the end of the thumb or part of the hand
(rare)
Nerve injury (most often, loss of sensation in your
hand) caused by the original problem coming back after surgery, although this
is rare
Infection at the site where you had surgery. Infections
may need to be treated with antibiotics. You may need to have an incision
opened and cleaned if an infection occurs. Or, in very rare cases, the
infection may lead to amputation of part or all of your hand.
If you notice any of these problems, let your doctor know right away.
