The Dark Side of Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Posted on July 11, 2009
Filed Under Physical Therapy | Leave a Comment
As the personal computer made its way into the lives of American citizens, carpal tunnel syndrome was not far behind. It has always existed as it is a syndrome that is caused by repetitive hand motion such as that encountered by the assembly line worker or the carpenter. But it has become much more prevalent as typing, pointing and clicking became a major part of everyone’s life. The pain and stiffness associated with this type of repetitive motion can signal the onset of a developing condition.
The truth is that more people than ever are plagued with carpel tunnel syndrome than ever before, and many let it go untreated for too long. And if you are finally trying to do something about your carpel tunnel symptoms, you may be considering carpel tunnel surgery. If so, you are probably wondering what it involves and the risk associated.
The physiology of carpel tunnel syndrome-in the wrist-is a key to understanding how and why carpel tunnel syndrome occurs. The problem occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. This compression occurs due to the tightening of the transverse carpel ligament that encircles the other ligaments that run in parallel down your arm. Surgery for carpel tunnel syndrome seeks to lessen the pressure being put on the median nerve by the transverse carpel ligament.
The surgery is a simple procedure only requiring twilight anesthesia. The surgeon makes a tiny incision in the patient’s palm; he/she then cuts the transverse carpel ligament to ease the pressure that has built up on the median nerve. This creates more room for the other ligaments and eases the pain for the patient. There is a two to six week recovery period during which the ligament heals and scars over.
Surgery of any kind carries a risk and carpel tunnel surgery is no exception. Although usually effective, at least for a time, the patient faces the risk of losing some strength and feeling in their hand and/or arm. This surgery involves a number of tiny nerves and muscles that may experience trauma during the proceeding. In addition the syndrome may reoccur at a later time. The cost is also approximately $10,000 so it is not always an easy decision to make. Understanding what is involved and what your options are will make the decision a bit easier.
Because of the risks and expense involved in a surgical procedure, most physicians will first recommend alternate forms of treatment. Studies have shown that alternative methods can work very well. One such method is physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach a person suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome how to exercise the afflicted area to help loosen the transverse carpal ligament and develop strength and flexibility to the arm. They can also suggest different ways to perform repetitive motions to avoid injury. A few appointments with a physical therapist will be beneficial regardless of whether or not you opt for surgery.
Relieving carpal tunnel syndrome can be a tough choice, especially when surgery may seem to fix the issue very quickly. However, you cannot be guaranteed that the results will last and that something else won’t go wrong in your hands and wrist. But with a little forethought, you can might the decision that is right for you.
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