Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What Is Carpal Tunnel Sydnrome (C.T.S.)?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition of the
hand caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through a tunnel on
the front part of the wrist, called the carpal tunnel.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms often include numbness and tingling in the tips of
the thumb and fingers. Patients often wake at night with these symptoms, and
have to shake their hands to get sensation back. Patients often complain of
dropping objects and feeling their hands go to sleep.
In advanced disease, the symptoms become constant and more
severe. It can lead to loss of muscle bulk around the thumb area.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome may be associated with several other
conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity or wrist fractures.
It is more common in women, and most common around 30-60 years of age. Certain
activities may also predispose or cause carpal tunnel syndrome, in particular
those which have repetitive motions or put constant pressure at the base of the
Diagnosis is usually easily made on history and examination.
However, nerve conduction studies can be useful in some cases. X-rays are also
useful when looking for specific causes of carpal tunnel syndrome or when
planning certain operations.
How is the diagnosis made?
How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treated?
Treatment depends on the
severity of the condition. Initial treatment may consist of splints or
injections of corticosteroids into the carpal tunnel. Splints are worn at night
time only. Avoiding aggravating activities or optimising associated medical
conditions may also assist.
For disease which has not responded to non-surgical
treatments, or in severe disease, then an operation may be advised. In very
severe disease, permanent nerve damage may result if the nerve is not
decompressed urgently. Surgical carpal tunnel release is aimed to decompress
the median nerve by cutting the transverse carpal ligament, which is lying
tightly over the median nerve.
- Open carpal tunnel release: This is the standard surgical technique for this condition.
An incision is made in the palm over the carpal tunnel and the transverse
carpal ligament is released. This operation has an excellent success rate and a
relatively low complication rate. It can be performed under local anaesthetic
instead of a general anaesthetic.
Endoscopic carpal tunnel release:
This is a minimally-invasive procedure where a small
incision is made at the front of the wrist. A camera is inserted allowing a
view of the carpal tunnel from inside. The transverse carpal ligament is then
released from below. This procedure has a smaller scar and is associated with
quicker return to function than an open procedure. However, there is a slightly
high complication rate reported with this operation, and it cannot be performed
under local anaesthetic alone.
What to expect after the operation:
Carpal tunnel release is performed as a day-only procedure.
A bulky dressing will be applied to the surgical site in the operating room.
For open procedures, this dressing should be kept on and dry until the post-operative appointment.
For endoscopic procedures, this bulky bandage can be taken
off one or two days after the operation. An underlying waterproof dressing will
be in place and should be left in place. At this stage the hand may start getting wet
under running water. Within a few days of the operation you would usually visit a therapist to
start some exercises. It is important that
you follow instructions to get the wrist and hand moving, and for wound care.
The immediate operation pain will subside within
weeks and patients can usually return to full duties within 3-4 weeks for
endoscopic procedures and 6-8 weeks for open procedures. Some milder aching
pain (known as pillar pain) will remain for up to 9 months.
Patients usually find that some symptoms, such as tingling
and waking at night, resolve within several days of the operation. Other
symptoms, such as numbness and weakness, can take a year to resolve, and
sometimes n