Carpal Tunnel Surgery Can Be Avoided

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by Tom Nicholson

If you happen to have a job where you constantly use your wrists and hands, you may be familiar with carpal tunnel syndrome. You may be all too familiar with the tightening in your wrist and forearm, the numbness and tingling, and even pain. You may even wake up in the night with these sensations, leaving you to wonder what you can possibly do about it.

To understand how carpal tunnel syndrome occurs, you need to learn a little bit about the physiology involved. Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve is compressed. The nerve cannot function correctly this way, and you begin to feel symptoms. This condition can be annoying, and it can become debilitating or even extremely painful that may require assistance to help it to heal.

If you rely on your hands and arms for a living, carpal tunnel syndrome can be a big problem. Typists and those who spend hours on the computer know that this problem may cost them their job. Similar stresses worry construction workers, painters and even hair stylists. When the pain affects your work, it is not unusual to lose some of your productivity. Most people take it for granted that their hands will continue to do everything they need to do without complaint. When they begin feeling the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, they may be surprised.

Surgery is one option for those who wish to be rid of the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel surgery is usually done under “twilight anesthesia”. The surgery itself involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament to relieve ongoing damage to the nerves. The transverse carpal ligament is a ligament at the wrist that wraps around all the other ligaments running vertically along the arm. The idea is that cutting this ever tightening ligament will immediately reduce pressure on the other ligaments. The transverse carpal ligament will then “scar” together while leaving more room for the other ligaments.

No one can predict the true outcome of any surgery. When you are dealing with a complicated area containing small bones, ligaments and muscles like the hand and wrist, this can make it even more unpredictable. Costs of surgery and rehabilitation can cost up to $10,000 or more and you may still find yourself with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. There is also the possibility of losing strength in your arms and wrists.

It may be easier than you think to prevent or relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. To begin with, take some time off from your usual tasks to let your hands and wrists have a rest. Even if you can only take a few days, it can help. There are wrist exercises you can do to stretch the transverse carpal ligament that can help. This will help ease pressure on the nerve and ligaments involved. You may need to work with a physical therapist to find the right exercises that work best for you. Results should begin to be felt quickly. Surgery should be a last resort.

Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome is easier than you think. With a little effort, you can do the stretches and activities necessary to reduce the tightness of your transverse carpal ligament and avoid risky surgery.

About the Author:

Many sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome are told they need surgery when looking for relief from their pain. However, what some doctors don’t tell you is that invasive surgery doesn’t always alleviate all of your symptoms and can actually cause more problems. Follow this link to learn about alternatives to carpal tunnel surgery.

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