The Down Side of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery
Author: Tom Nicholson
If you are one of the many people who grind it out on the computer each day or work with your hands a lot, you surely have developed some stiffness and pain at various points in your career. It may be that the problem nagged for awhile and went away, or might have even spanned only a few hours. You may have brushed up against carpal tunnel syndrome.
As diagnosed cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are on the rise, so too are the number of surgeries being performed in an effort to cure it and relieve the pain experienced by the sufferer. If you have found yourself in this untenable situation, understanding what is involved in this type of surgery may assist you in making an informed decision.
The physiology of carpel tunnel syndrome-in the wrist-is a key to understanding how and why carpel tunnel syndrome occurs. The problem occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. This compression occurs due to the tightening of the transverse carpel ligament that encircles the other ligaments that run in parallel down your arm. Surgery for carpel tunnel syndrome seeks to lessen the pressure being put on the median nerve by the transverse carpel ligament.
The surgery itself is very simple and is done while the patient is under twilight anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision in the palm of your hand and then proceeds to cut the transverse carpel ligament. This causes and immediate lessening of pressure and pain for the patient. However, there is some recuperation time needed as the transverse carpel ligament will need time to heal and scar over. This generally leaves more room for the other ligaments and also should alleviate the pressure on the median nerve.
Surgery of any kind carries a risk and carpel tunnel surgery is no exception. Although usually effective, at least for a time, the patient faces the risk of losing some strength and feeling in their hand and/or arm. This surgery involves a number of tiny nerves and muscles that may experience trauma during the proceeding. In addition the syndrome may reoccur at a later time. The cost is also approximately $10,000 so it is not always an easy decision to make. Understanding what is involved and what your options are will make the decision a bit easier.
Alternate forms of treatment are often recommended prior to surgery and have a very good success rate. Your doctor may recommend rest and physical therapy as a first option. This is a beneficial step to take even if you do go forward with surgery. A physical therapist can show you how to use your hands and wrists in such a way as to avoid future or additional damage to your carpal tunnel area. The exercises they give you, if performed faithfully, will also loosen the transverse carpal ligament and help you develop strength and flexibility in the afflicted area.
Many people feel that surgery is a quick easy fix for carpal tunnel syndrome. But it may not be as simple as that. In most surgical procedures the risks involved demand careful consideration and carpel tunnel surgery is no exception.
Tags: carpal tunnel, carpal tunnel cure, carpal tunnel exercise, carpal tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel treatment, disease, exercise, fitness, Health, injury, medicine, physical therapy, posture, yoga
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This work by heave-ho is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
