Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of the median nerve, a vital nerve in the wrist that allows us to feel and use our fingers, as it passes under a tissue called the flexor retinaculum. When the median nerve is compressed in the wrist, pain and numbness occur in the fingers, especially the first, second, and third fingers. In advanced stages, muscle atrophy in the hand and loss of finger use may occur.

The most important symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is waking up at night with pain and numbness in the fingers, and the need to shake the hand as if to relieve the pain.

In advanced stages of the disease, the pain spreads throughout the arm, and the patient cannot distinguish whether the pain originates in the hand or the arm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be confused with a herniated disc in the neck. An EMG is performed to differentiate between the two conditions. A cervical MRI is also taken to check for the presence of a herniated disc.

If the EMG report shows severe damage to the median nerve in the wrist, the treatment is surgery.

If mild or moderate nerve compression is reported, the patient's symptoms are assessed for severity. Mild and moderate compressions generally do not require surgery. Pain medication can buy time.

The most reliable surgery is performed through the palm of the hand. Below, I have shown the surgical scar on the palm after the operation.