What You Might Not Know Before Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery

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by Tom Nicholson

Thousands of Americans are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome as we speak. It is a condition that plagues legions of office workers, construction workers, artists and musicians alike! It leaves many who are afflicted with this condition to seek some form of medical treatment, pain reliever or even surgery!

Unfortunately many sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome think surgery is a quick fix. In this they would be wrong as with any surgical procedure there are risks involved and serious consideration should be taken prior to making the decision to take such action. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by the compression of the median nerve. This nerve travels the length of the arm and increased compression can cause the arm ligaments to become fused together. This problem is the focus of the surgery.

If you think surgery will prevent you from missing time at work you may be mistaken. There are risks that could cause more lost time. It is important to consider the pros and cons of taking such drastic measures before jumping into a decision.

The surgery itself is not very complicated and takes only a few hours. It can be done with a twilight anesthetic and is as un-invasive as a surgery can be. However, any surgery can be risky no matter where it is. The hand is a delicate part of the body and one should be careful when considering having surgery on it.

The procedure involves the cutting of the transverse carpal ligament to sever it completely and in doing so relieve the pressure on the median nerve. The patient feels relief immediately but it takes two to six weeks for a complete recovery. There will be loss of work time even if you choose the surgical route.

But with any surgery, the outcome is unpredictable. You could lose some functionality and strength in the wrist or elbow and end up losing out on the deal. And not to mention that the surgery itself can cost from $5000 to $10000! You are generally out for up to six weeks for therapy after the surgery, and for some that is just too long.

Alternative treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome are often recommended because of the nature of the surgical risk and expense. The pain can often be relieved by doing exercises and stretches that help stretch the transverse carpal ligament. If you have already worked with a physical therapist and spent time doing these exercises on a consistent basis without relief you may want to consider surgery. You will want to continue doing these exercises even after the surgery to prevent a recurrence of syndrome. Also, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion before proceeding with surgery.

It is understandable that many people become impatient with the pain and frustration of carpel tunnel syndrome. It can affect your day from the time you pour your coffee and have trouble gripping the cup to brushing your teeth before bed when the wrist and hand motion of moving the tooth brush makes even this simple daily task painful. However, it is important to explore all of your options and to act early on to deal with this problem. Do not hesitate to get multiple opinions before opting for surgery.

About the Author:

Before submitting to invasive surgery, there are things you should know about carpal tunnel syndrome. Because of the nature of repetitive stress injuries such as CTS, surgery is not always the best option. There are many stretches and lifestyle adjustments that a sufferer will benefit from over carpal tunnel surgery.

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