What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve running through your wrist becomes compressed. Common causes include prior wrist injuries or repetitive strain that triggers inflammation. People at higher risk include those who are pregnant, overweight, or have diabetes, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis. Professions involving repetitive wrist movement, such as typing, sewing, woodworking, tennis, or badminton, also increase risk.
While not dangerous, CTS produces painful symptoms including tingling and numbness in fingers and hands, weakness in the hand and wrist, difficulty gripping objects, and actual pain in the fingers, arm, or hand.
Treatment Options
Initial treatments include frequent breaks from repetitive tasks, anti-inflammatory medications, and wrist splints. However, when these offer only temporary relief, endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery may be recommended.
Benefits of Endoscopic Surgery
Traditional carpal tunnel surgery required large incisions to access and repair the compressed nerve. Endoscopic surgery uses a thin tube with a camera and light, inserted through incisions “often no larger than a 1 cent coin.”
Key advantages include:
- Reduced infection risk due to smaller wound size
- Less scarring from minimal trauma to skin
- Quicker recovery allowing faster return to normal activities
- Less trauma to interior tissues preserving strength and mobility
- Less discomfort with reduced need for post-operative pain medication
