Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery Using Mini-Incision Microsurgery Technique
The carpal tunnel is a passageway through the wrist carrying tendons and one of the hand's major nerves. Pressure may build up within the tunnel because of disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis), injury, fluid retention during pregnancy, overuse, or repetitive motions. The resulting pressure on the nerve within the tunnel causes a tingling sensation in the hand, often accompanied by numbness, aching, and impaired hand function. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
In some cases, splinting of the hand and anti-inflammatory medications will relieve the problem. If this doesn't work, however, surgery may be required.
In the operation, I use a very small incision in the palm of the hand near the wrist. I use a state of the art microscope (used at major University Hospitals) to release pressure on the nerve. A long acting block is placed in the wound to provide a "virtually pain free" first 24 hours. A large dressing and splint are used after surgery to restrict motion, and promote healing. I personally see to the early physical therapy, getting you started to a full recovery, all in one office if possible. The scar will gradually fade and become barely visible.
The signs and symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include pain, tingling, numbness (in the thumb, index, middle, and thumb side of the ring fingers), as well as diminished grip strength. Losing strength in you hand suggests an urgent need to see a Hand Surgeon and begin your evaluation. Should you experience any weakness, you should see a specialist as soon as possible, or you may have a permanent impairment. .
The most common procedures in hand surgery are done to repair injured hands, including injuries to the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and joints; fractured bones; and burns, cuts, and other injuries to the skin. Modern techniques have greatly improved the surgeon's ability to restore function and appearance, even in severe injuries.
Among the techniques now used by plastic surgeons are:
Grafting - the transfer of skin, bone, nerves, or other tissue from a healthy part of the body to repair the injured part;
Flap surgery - moving the skin along with its underlying fat, blood vessels, and muscle from a healthy part of the body to the injured site;
Replantation or transplantation - restoring accidentally amputated fingers or hands using microsurgery, an extremely precise and delicate surgery performed under magnification
Some injuries may require several operations over an extended period of time. In many cases, surgery can restore a significant degree of feeling and function to injured hands. However, recovery may take months, and a period of hand therapy will most often be needed.
In some cases, splinting of the hand and anti-inflammatory medications will relieve the problem. If this doesn't work, however, surgery may be required.
In the operation, I use a very small incision in the palm of the hand near the wrist. I use a state of the art microscope (used at major University Hospitals) to release pressure on the nerve. A long acting block is placed in the wound to provide a "virtually pain free" first 24 hours. A large dressing and splint are used after surgery to restrict motion, and promote healing. I personally see to the early physical therapy, getting you started to a full recovery, all in one office if possible. The scar will gradually fade and become barely visible.
The signs and symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include pain, tingling, numbness (in the thumb, index, middle, and thumb side of the ring fingers), as well as diminished grip strength. Losing strength in you hand suggests an urgent need to see a Hand Surgeon and begin your evaluation. Should you experience any weakness, you should see a specialist as soon as possible, or you may have a permanent impairment. .
The most common procedures in hand surgery are done to repair injured hands, including injuries to the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and joints; fractured bones; and burns, cuts, and other injuries to the skin. Modern techniques have greatly improved the surgeon's ability to restore function and appearance, even in severe injuries.
Among the techniques now used by plastic surgeons are:
Grafting - the transfer of skin, bone, nerves, or other tissue from a healthy part of the body to repair the injured part;
Flap surgery - moving the skin along with its underlying fat, blood vessels, and muscle from a healthy part of the body to the injured site;
Replantation or transplantation - restoring accidentally amputated fingers or hands using microsurgery, an extremely precise and delicate surgery performed under magnification
Some injuries may require several operations over an extended period of time. In many cases, surgery can restore a significant degree of feeling and function to injured hands. However, recovery may take months, and a period of hand therapy will most often be needed.