Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Surgery

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 Orthopedic Surgeon, discusses Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and Surgery

 Orthopedic Surgeon, discusses Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and Surgery

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Video transcript

Featuring Dr. Bertrand Perey, MD, Orthopaedics Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and Surgery Duration: 1 minute, 44 seconds

The results of surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome are usually outstanding.

It’s one of the best operations that we have in upper extremity surgery. The overwhelming majority of patients have complete resolution of their symptoms.

The problem is in the first several weeks after surgery, they incision there – the cut that’s made on the palm, whether endoscopically or open – is going to become more tender. We call this induration.

And it’s because the skin of the palm is like the skin of the sole of our foot – it has a very special reaction to cutting to it. It tends to create a lot of scar; some people more than others.

For the majority of patients, that scar will get more organized, harder, and sometimes more tender for up to four weeks after surgery. It virtually dissipates over the ensuing following several months so that you can’t even see it. Some of your therapists may, in fact, apply a special gel pad over the scar to help the acceleration of the scar maturation.

Occasionally, injuries can happen, and you should talk to your doctor if this happens. If you have prolonged numbness in one or more of your fingers after surgery has occurred, you may worry that there may be a little pressure that’s happened on the nerve. There may have been an injury. Or it may simply be the swelling from the operation.

The recurrence rates following surgery are extremely low. I’ll mention probably less than 10 percent at 10 years, meaning that 90 percent of patients at 10 years no long have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you have questions about surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, or you think that you may have had a complication from surgery, you should seek attention from your family physician immediately.

Presenter: Dr. Bertrand Perey, Orthopaedic Surgeon, New Westminster, BC

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Understanding Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Questions
 
True
False
1

Most patients experience numbness in the middle of the day rather than at night or in the morning.

Explanation:

Most patients experience numbness at nighttime or in the morning, as the tendons swell overnight. After they wake up and move their fingers, the fluid moves out of the tendons and the numbness usually goes away.

2

In more severe cases, pain can radiate up to the shoulder.

Explanation:

As carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms worsen, patients experience numbness and pain in the daytime whenever the wrist is bent or extended. Pain is felt in the palm of the hand and the forearm, with occasional radiation up to the shoulder.

3

Hyperthyroidism is a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Explanation:

People whose jobs involve heavy gripping or vibrating tools often develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Other risk factors include hypothyroidism and inflammation of the tendons from rheumatoid arthritis. Many pregnant women develop carpal tunnel syndrome as a consequence of the swelling that they have through pregnancy.

4

The typical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome includes splinting during the night.

Explanation:

The typical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome includes splinting during the night. These are hard splints that help to immobilize the wrist and decrease the pressure that is being applied to the wrist.

5

If the condition progresses and becomes more severe, you may need surgery.

Explanation:

Other carpal tunnel syndrome treatment methods include anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections into your carpal canal and physiotherapy. If the condition progresses and becomes more severe, you may need surgery.

This content is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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