CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are numbness and tingling of the hand, especially at night. The pain is also produced with periods of prolonged gripping, such as a bicycle or steering wheel. This pain can also radiate to the shoulder.

This pain is caused by pressure of the median nerve as it enters the hand through the wrist. Mild cases can be treated with medication, splints and cortisone injections. Those cases that do not respond to conservation treatment require a surgical release.

Your orthopedic surgeon, will advise you of the advantages and the risks of the procedure. For your safety we will be asking questions about your health and performing a physical exam. If you have a major health problem, you may be required to have additional studies or see your family health provider. This will be done one to two weeks before your surgery.

The day of surgery, you will report to the same day surgery center accompanied by a person who will drive you home. After surgery, you will have a splint and dressing on your wrist and hand. Post operatively you will leave the dressing in place until your first office visit. You can exercise your fingers while the dressing is on.

Recovery is short and you will return to work quickly, depending on the type of work you do.