Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery in Chunni-ganj, Kanpur

Carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure performed at Apollo Spectra, Kanpur, for treating carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition caused by the increased pressure on the median nerve present in the wrist. It leads to weakness and pain in the hand.

Why is the procedure performed?

If you have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor at Apollo Spectra, Kanpur, will start nonsurgical treatments. This can include anti-inflammatory medicines, wrist splints, therapy for learning stretches and exercises, corticosteroid shots into the carpal tunnel, and workplace changes for improving your seating and usage of other equipment. In case none of these treatments work, your doctor will test your median nerve’s electrical activity with an electromyogram (EMG). In case the test reveals that the issue is carpal tunnel syndrome, they will recommend carpal tunnel release surgery. If your hand and wrist muscles are getting smaller because of your nerve getting pinched, you will have to get the surgery done soon.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Kanpur

Call 1860-500-2244 to book an appointment

Risks

Just like other surgical procedures, there are certain risks associated with this procedure as well:

Infection
Bleeding
Allergic reactions to anesthesia or medicines
Injury to the median nerve or other nerves branching out of it
Numbness and weakness around the hand
Injury to other blood vessels
Scar tenderness

Preparing for the procedure

Before the procedure, here is what you have to do:

Tell your doctor about all the medications you have been taking. This includes prescribed and over-the-counter medications, herbs, and supplements.
You will have to stop taking blood-thinning drugs temporarily. This includes ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and other drugs.
Ask your doctor about the medications you will be taking on the day of the procedure.
If you smoke, you have to quit as it can slow down your healing.
Let your doctor know about any flu, fever, cold, herpes breakout, or any other illness. In case you are sick, your surgery will be postponed.
On the day of the surgery, you will have to stop drinking or eating anything for at least 6 to 12 hours before the procedure.
If you have to take any medications, take them with a small sip of water.
Make sure there is someone to drive you home after the hospital and be on time.

Treatment

This is an outpatient procedure so you don’t have to stay in the hospital. At Apollo Spectra, Kanpur, the doctor will first numb your hand using a local anesthetic. Then, they will make an incision from the middle of the palm to the base of your wrist. Next, they will open the skin edges to reveal the carpal ligament. The doctor will separate the undersurface of the ligament for protecting the tendons and nerve below. Then, they will make a cut in the ligament for opening the tunnel and releasing the median nerve. Lastly, the doctor will close the incisions with a few stitches.

1. What happens after the procedure?

After the surgery, your wrist will be in a heavy bandage or splint for about a week. You will have to keep it on until your doctor tells otherwise and ensure that it is dry and clean. Once it is removed, you can start your physical therapy program.

2. How long will it take to recover from the surgery?

It depends on how long you have had symptoms and how damaged your median nerve is. In case you have had symptoms for a long time, chances are that you won’t be completely free of symptoms.

3. What is the median nerve?

This nerve passes through the carpal tunnel and receives sensations from the index, thumb, and middle fingers. Any condition that causes a change in the position or swelling of the tissue inside the carpal tunnel can irritate and squeeze the median nerve. When this happens, it can cause numbness and tingling of the index, thumb, and first three fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the condition that refers to this irritation as well as its symptoms.

4. How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?

The diagnosis of this condition is based on the distribution of hand numbness and the symptoms. The doctor will examine the wrist for tenderness, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and deformity. An abnormal Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) test strongly suggests this condition as well. It measures the rate at which the electrical impulses travel down a nerve.