Patient Questions and their Answers

Carpal Tunnel Surgery: Patient Questions and their Answers from a Hand Surgeons Perspective

Carpal Tunnel Surgery is one of the most common operations done today.  Of course there are many questions that arise. While a lot has been written about what carpal tunnel is, it is rare to get a surgeon's answers to these questions.  Here are some common questions  that Dr Jeffrey C.  Wint at the Hand Center of Western Massachusetts gets asked by his patients and their answers.

Will my sensation come back or be normal after surgery?

While the goal of carpal tunnel surgery is to relieve the pressure on the nerve not everyone will respond the same to surgery

Some patients will have immediate return of sensation while some will take longer. Some will notice an improvement right away but still feel tingling and will describe this as "numb" The return of sensation is dependent on many factors including age, general health, duration of symptoms, circulation and the actual mechanical severity of compression.

In very severe cases while decompressing the nerve stops the carpal tunnel syndrome from getting worse, full recovery of sensation may not be possible.  Often this is seen in patients who have muscle wasting noted prior to surgery and in those with longstanding complete numbness and elevated two-point discrimination.  Of course there are many in these categories that improve despite having very severe cases.  

Having a severe case where you are not sure if you'd have full recovery is not a reason to put off surgery, as progression is likely if nothing is done.

How about my strength?

This is a very difficult question as there are many reasons why a hand with carpal tunnel may not feel as strong.  It may be that the decreased sensation in the fingers prevents someone from knowing how tight to hold and object and that object is dropped more easily.  With return of sensation or even a slight improvement in sensation, dropping objects becomes less of a problem.   Some severe cases of Carpal Tunnel can be associated with atrophy in the muscles of the hand.  In some severe cases, this muscle will never fully recover.  However despite loss of muscle, function can still be preserved.  In very severe cases a suregon may recommend a tendon or muscle transfer to improve function.

What do you actually do?

What is actually "released" is the hard ligament in your palm that covers the median nerve.  Together with the bones in your wrist this ligament forms a ring or tunnel that surrounds the median nerve and the tendons to your fingers and thumb.  When this "release" is done it is much like making a ring bigger and there is less pressure on the median nerve.  The body heals the cut in this enlarged ring.   But it takes time until your palm feels comfortable.  With the pressure reduced on the nerve, healing can occur.  How the nerve heals is different in everyone.

Is there more than one way to have carpal tunnel surgery?

There are two methods that are in use here in Western Massachusetts.  One method is the traditional open palm method and the other is an endoscopic limited incision method?

What is the difference between these two methods?

In a standard open carpal tunnel release the surgeon carefully makes an incision in the proximal portion of the palm. Exposing the togh tissue in the  palm called   palmar fascia which is then released.  Deeper down is the transverse carpal ligament which is then released to take pressure off the median nerve.

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release uses an endoscope, an instrument attached to a video monitor to visualize the undersurface of the transverse carpal ligament.  This avoids the need to make an incision in the palm.  Instead the surgeon makes the incision in the wrist crease near the base of the palm.

The surgeon essentially releases the ligament from the inside out, avoiding damaging the tough tissues called fascia in the palm that give the palm its shape and contour. In addition the palm skin incision is avoided.  For many this reduces the immediate problem of using the hand more fully in the early post operative period.  It does not mean that there will be absolutely no discomfort but many feel it is less.  Typically however one must realize that there are many people who undergo so called regular open carpal tunnel release who have very little pain and many do not need to take pain medicine at all.  However those who have endoscopic release who do well, do well a little bit sooner.  

Can I use my hand right away?

After surgery you may be able to use your hand right away, especially your fingers to do light things.  You must keep your dressing dry until it is changed or removed in the office.  For showers or baths keep your dressing covered with a plastic bag.  Using your fingers to do light things right away is important.  While the dressing will cover your palm, your fingers will be free to use.

How long will it take to heal?

The time for healing is variable as no two people are alike and no one heals exactly the same.  However most feel comfortable doing light activities that require palm pressure in 2 - 3 weeks and very heavy activities 4 -5 weeks.  Those with lighter sedentary jobs can often go back sooner.  Those with very heavy jobs may take longer.  Other conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis and fibromyalgia may delay comfort after surgery.  Sometimes you do not complain of or notice other problems until after your carpal tunnel is betterWhile 5-6 weeks down the line most patients with either an open or endoscopic release are at nearly the same place with respect to activities,  the endoscopic released hands seem to be more comfortable sooner. .  While endoscopic release may feel better earlier it is still advisable not to overdo it.  Doing too much too early can delay full recovery, while not doing enough with hand can have the same effect.  It is important to use your hand but not overdo it.

Do I need to go to sleep to have the surgery?

The type of anesthesia used is typically is known as "local with monitored anesthesia care "(or IV sedation). This means that you get an intravenous dose of medicine to relax or lightly sedate you. An anesthesiologist, a physician, who is in charge of this part of your operation, gives the sedation. Then the surgeon injects your palm to "numb it up".  The sedation usually makes you forget that you had the palm injection. When the surgery starts you do not feel the incision but you know that something is going on because the back of your hand and your fingers still are awake (Some fall gently asleep at this point but many stay awake and are indifferent to what is happening.)

Does it have to be done in the hospital?

Most carpal tunnel is done as day surgery and most patients can have it done at the surgicenter without the need to go to the hospital. It is usually a 20 -25 minute procedure with total time in the surgery center about 2 hours.  You need to have a ride from surgery and cannot drive for 24 hours.  After 24 hours you may drive as long as you feel safe and are not taking pain medicine, which can impair your judgment. The requirement of insurance carriers and some people because of other medical problems or sometimes because of scheduling need to go to the hospital for surgery.  Then you would expect to spend about 4 - 5 hours at the hospital.  The surgicenter has you arrive 80 minutes prior to your scheduled surgery time while at the hospital you need to get there 2 hours ahead of the surgical time.

Will I be in a lot of pain?

While  typically everyone who has carpal tunnel surgery gets a prescription for pain medicine, most state that they did not need it or used it minimally.  Many get by with Tylenol, Advil, Alleve or a similar over the counter medication. Others feel the need to take pain medication such as  codeine or percocet for a few days. Remember that everyone will not respond to surgery the same way with respect to pain after the surgery.

Overall carpal tunnel surgery can work well.  While these answers do not apply to everyone and everyone will not react the same way to surgery, they represent a more common experience. For more information you can come to our website at www.handctr.com