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Thursday 26 December 2013

Understanding Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery

By Eugenia Dickerson


The performance of endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery is an invasive procedure aimed at alleviating the pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Such injury often results from the compression of the nerve located in the hand and wrist due to repetitive strain and activities that place pressure on such tissues. Patients report sensations of numbness, tingling, and weakness of the limb.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is referred to as CTS and is a condition that commonly occurs as a result of repetitive strain as the median nerve becomes severely damaged due to stress and age. The reports of patients include mild tingling sensations, numbness, and weakness that can make it difficult to hold or pull on different items. If intervention is not sought, the symptoms will simply deteriorate with time.

Your surgeon will require a medical history and the completion of a physical assessment in order to identify the severity of symptoms. The X-ray imaging can aid in providing clarity on the injury and aid in the detection of the damage. Measures will include tenderness and range of movement allowing the professional to advise on the appropriate steps forward.

The completion of a physical examination and measures including the Electromyogram and and Nerve Conduction Velocity will determine the location of the damage. If the injuries are moderate, a wrist brace may have to be worn for a period of time and non-steroidal injections implement to decrease pain. Where such measures fail, endoscopic intervention will be recommended with the aim of decreasing the symptoms that impact on function without lengthy recovery periods.

Surgical intervention aims to alleviate the ligament that has contracted and contributes to the experience of pressure on the normal functioning of nerves. Once the ligaments tightens, it results in the compression of the nerve. With the use of an endoscopic camera, the practitioner is able to view the affected tissues and makes an incision in the wrist to minimize scarring.

Surgery should only be implemented by a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner as this can protect against damage to the sensitive tissues. The entire process may take up to 30 minutes and requires anesthesia. Patients will have the choice of local anesthetic where the operated area is numbed.

The outpatient surgery will allow the patient to engage in lighter motions that minimize the possibility of additional damage. The practitioner will advise on the steps for recovery and the overall healing processes that need to take place for normal function. One should rest the arm for a period of 6 months that will allow for all tissues to recover.

Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery is advised when conventional measures for recovery have failed and the damage to the nerve in the wrist is extensive. It requires a physical examination by a qualified surgeon to ensure that the most suitable measures are applied for full and pain free operation. If you have CTS, do not wait for symptoms to diminish as it will simply deteriorate over time.




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