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When Should I Consider Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

When Should I Consider Carpal Tunnel Surgery?
When Should I Consider Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

Have you been experiencing wrist and hand pain that worsens when performing specific movements? It may be due to carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by painful compression of the median nerve in your wrist. This major nerve is responsible for providing muscle function and sensation to the hand and fingers. You can develop carpal tunnel syndrome from everyday activities such as typing, texting, playing a musical instrument and sports.

If you have pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand and wrist, it may be time to see an orthopedic surgeon for a diagnosis. Carpal tunnel syndrome may affect one or both hands and cause numbness and a burning sensation that travels up the arm. Over time, carpal tunnel syndrome can weaken the muscles of your hands and wrists. If symptoms go on for too long, your condition will keep getting worse. If the symptoms mentioned above sound like your situation, your doctor might suggest surgery.

How do you know it's time to consider surgery?

  • Wearing a brace, taking corticosteroids, and changing your daily routine have not improved your pain and weakness.
  • It has been over six months of pain, tingling, and weakness in one or both of your hands and wrists.
  • You're losing the ability to pinch, grip or grasp objects.
  • Nerve testing indicates damage to the median nerve; the surgical remedy would be the apparent solution for treatment and prevent permanent nerve damage.

Over 400,000 carpal tunnel surgeries occur a year. Surgical outcomes for carpal tunnel syndrome are positive, and typically surgery can correct the symptoms. You may experience relief from surgery the same day, but may have some soreness a few weeks  after surgery. Once recovered from the surgery, patients are able to get back to the activities they love without pain. 

If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and would like to learn more about treatment options, contact the experts at South Palm Orthopedics today and schedule an appointment with us  (561) 496-6622 or visit www.southpalmorthopedics.com.

Dr. Steve E. Meadows is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery. He practices general orthopedic surgery with a subspecialty interest in shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand problems. Dr. Meadows performs numerous upper extremity surgeries per year, including rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement, reverse shoulder replacement, fracture repair, carpal tunnel release, and trigger finger release. Our team of physicians provides an advanced level of care, integrating the newest cutting-edge surgical and nonsurgical techniques with proven traditional methods of treatments. The physicians at South Palm Orthopedics are committed to providing the highest level of orthopedic care to each and every patient each and every time.