How do you prepare for Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

• Your doctor will physically evaluate your symptoms. He/she will check the functioning in your arm, wrist and hand by moving and probing them.
• X-ray, ECG, electromyography or blood testswill accurately determine the diagnosis for carpal tunnel syndrome.
• You will need to stop taking any medicines (ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen) that will resist the clotting of blood.
• You will need to stop smoking if you have the habit.
• You will be asked  not drink or eat anything 6-12 hours before surgery.

What happens during Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

Surgeons chose carpal tunnel surgery only as a last resort. The timing plays a big role because your cramp can be due to normal activity as well. Your symptoms should last longer than a few weeks without the pain subsiding. Your surgeon will put you under a local anesthetic that numbs your hand and wrist. In many cases, surgeons prefer to use a general anesthetic for complete unconsciousness.

The surgeon will  make cuts in the ligament that is probing the carpal tunnel and nerves. This will create more space, faster healing and improved functioning in your full arm.

Surgeons use either one form of carpal tunnel surgery.

• Open carpal tunnel surgery

Surgeons use this traditional method to directly cut an incision of the wrist skin. This incision is 2 inches long using standard surgical tools.

• Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery

The surgeon will use a thin, flexible tube with a camera to guide him/her through a small wrist incision (half inch). He/she will use slim tools to treat carpal tunnel from another palm incision. (half inch)

After the treatment, your surgeon will stitch up the surgical site for healing.

What can you expect after Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

• Your doctor will observe you for a small period of time before you go home. This is to ensure that the path to recovery is successful and without side effects.

• The recovery includes extra bandages or putting on a splint to facilitate faster healing with no disturbance. Your doctor will ask you to keep the bandage or splint for 1-2 weeks.

• The recovery period differs from several weeks to months. This depends on the severity of carpal tunnel symptoms.

What are some of the risks associated with Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

• Anaesthetic reactions
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Injury to the nerves at, around and from the wrist
• Injury to blood vessels around the treated area
• Sensitive scarring
• Other reactions from any physical condition

• Fever
• Redness
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Drainage
• Increased pain 

What are some of the lifestyle changes you need to make after Carpal Tunnel Treatment?

• Your doctor will restrict forceful or extreme activities till you heal.
• A physical therapist will help you rehabilitate and strengthen your arm, hand or wrist.

Key Terminology:

Carpal tunnel. There are nerves and muscles in your wrist that allows your fingers (except your little finger) to move. These nerves and muscles pass through a narrow tunnel called the carpal tunnel. It is formed with the wrist bones and ligaments present in the palm.