Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have a squeezed or pressed median nerve at the wrist. The pressure on the nerve causes changes in sensation, such as burning or tingling in the fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome can make it difficult for patients to perform tasks or grasp small objects. One treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is surgery, called carpal tunnel release.
Considerations
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that more than 500,000 people have surgery performed each year in the United States to correct carpal tunnel syndrome. Certain people qualify for carpal tunnel release. For example, people who have symptoms that last for 10 months or more are candidates for carpal tunnel release. People who always have numbness, are over 50 or have shrinking of the muscles around the base of their palms also qualify for the surgery.
Procedure
MedlinePlus explains that carpal tunnel release involves the doctor cutting through the carpal transverse ligament, which is just below the skin. Cutting this ligament reduces pressure on the median nerve. The doctor may remove nearby tissue, as well. When the doctor finishes the carpal tunnel release, she will use sutures to close the tissue and skin.
Risks
Carpal tunnel release carries certain risks. For example, the doctor may injure the median nerve when cutting the carpal tunnel ligament. Some patients may experience bleeding or develop an infection. Scar sensitivity, in which patients may have pain around the incision, can occur. MedlinePlus notes that while rare, some patients may sustain an injury to blood vessels around the median nerve or another nerve in the area.
Diabetic Risks
Arthur Schoenstadt, MD, author of the eMedTV article "Diabetic Risks With Carpal Tunnel Surgery," points out that diabetics have additional risks with a carpal tunnel release. While patients may be used to abnormal blood sugar levels, they can indicate a more serious problem after a carpal tunnel release. For example, if a patient develops an infection, he may have problems controlling his blood sugar. As a result, he may require an IV to deliver the antibiotics.
Prognosis
MedlinePlus notes that if a person has had symptoms for a long time, carpal tunnel release may not relieve all the symptoms. Other people may have fewer symptoms, allowing them increased usage of their affected hand. Sometimes, people may need to make lifestyle changes after having the surgery. For example, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains that 10 to 15 percent have to change jobs after the surgery, as their work puts strain on the median nerve.
