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Your doctor has recommended that you undergo hand surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. But what exactly is carpal tunnel syndrome?
The median nerve, which carries sensation to the thumb and first three fingers, passes through a natural passageway in the wrist. This opening - called the carpal tunnel is formed by arch-shaped wrist bones and a connecting ligament.
Various conditions, such as pregnancy, injury, arthritis and changes in the tendons caused by repetitive motion can crowd the already narrow tunnel, putting pressure on the nerve.
This added pressure can cause a tingling sensation in the fingers and the thumb and may even lead to numbness, pain and restricted movement. This combination of symptoms is called the carpal tunnel syndrome.
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On the day of your operation, you will be asked to put on a surgical gown.
You may receive a sedative by mouth and
an intravenous line may be put in.
You will then be transferred to the operating table.
Your doctor will scrub thoroughly and will apply an antiseptic solution to the skin around the area where the incision will be made.
Next, the surgeon will numb the involved area of the hand and wrist with an anesthetic, either with a local injection or by completely blocking a nerve higher up on the arm.
When the operative field is completely numb the surgeon will make an incision.
Skin and other tissue will be carefully drawn aside to expose the carpal ligament. Patient Education
Then the surgeon will cut the ligament,
relieving pressure on the nerve that runs beneath it.
Finally the doctor will close the incision with fine sutures.
A sterile bandage will be applied and a splint will be put in place to prevent the wrist from moving while healing takes place.
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Following the procedure, you'll be moved then to a recovery area where you can relax until the sedation and anesthetic has worn off - and until the doctor is satisfied that you are fit to go home. Plan on spending several hours in recovery. Your doctor may be able to give you a more precise estimate prior to surgery.
Before you leave, you'll probably be prescribed a pain killer along with any other medication your doctor feels you need to take.
Carpal tunnel repair surgery only rarely leads to complications.
In a very small number of cases, surgery can result in tendon or nerve damage,
causing discomfort ...
... or reduced hand function.
You should notice improvement soon after surgery, but you may experience some minor pain or tenderness during healing.
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Once you return home, you will be responsible to keeping the dressing intact and clean.
As with all surgery, you should be alert for signs of infection near the incision - increased swelling, redness, bleeding or other discharge. Your doctor may advise you to be on the alert for other symptoms as well. If you experience any unusual symptoms, report them to your doctor right away.
You may also notice some bruising in the general area of the incision. The discoloration may be extensive - but as with any bruise, it should heal on it's own.
Before you leave, you'll be given discharge guidelines which may include diet, medication, work and other activity restrictions.
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You'll also make at least one follow-up appointment so that the doctor will be able to check the healing of the incision and/or to remove sutures.
This program has been designed to help you to understand a surgical procedure and to empower you to be an active participant in your own care. We hope that you take the time to discuss alternative treatments with your doctor and that you learn as much as you can about your own particular medical situation.
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61 videos
When it's bad enough to require surgery, it's much worse than tingling, trust me. It wakes you up in the night, even when wearing the hand braces. Intense burning, numbness, then feeling extremely cold and painful pins and needles. Trying to shake this away doesn't work. Doing anything during the day that requires the hands to be in certain positions brings on the same symptoms, especially numbness and painful tingling.
Surgery on both hands after 10 yrs was the best thing I've ever done!
LauraK412 1 year ago
Or you could always try a mental placebo instead of medication, Christianity is the most mental placebo i know.
Elephantintheroom01 1 year ago
Tingling is not the worst thing in the world. But recovering from surgery, especially that upon the hand, is harsh.
Elephantintheroom01 1 year ago