How is carpal tunnel syndrome repaired?

We have all heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, which can be caused by various factors such as the use of vibrating machines (drills), obesity, thyroid disorders, pregnancy, congenital causes, arthritis, etc. 

Although there are many associated and recognised factors, it is sometimes impossible to define the cause of the onset of this syndrome, whose main characteristics are frequent burning and tingling together with numbness and itching in the palm of the hand and fingers.

To repair this condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, which in some cases can be very uncomfortable due to the loss of grip and consequent atrophy of the muscles at the base of the thumb, two different types of procedures can be performed.

First, the patient is placed lying face up on a stretcher and the hand to be treated is placed on a hand table. This procedure is performed under truncal anaesthesia, similar to that used in dentistry, with the intention of numbing the nerves near the affected area. 

After that, an incision is made in the palm of the hand, near the wrist, through which the surgeon will introduce a probe to the area of the carpal tunnel fat, solving the problem of pressure on the median nerve that runs through it. 

Finally, the incision is sutured and then a compressive bandage and a splint are applied to immobilise the arm.

To carry out this procedure, specific surgical material is required, including a gun with a fibre-optic camera that has a cutting blade that folds out after the trigger is pulled, and carpal tunnel dilators. 

The patient is positioned in the same way as in the previous technique, with truncal anaesthesia also being used for this procedure. In this case, an incision of approximately 2 cm is made in the area where the wrist is folded with the hand. 

Through this incision, the dilators are inserted until, by palpation, the doctor is sure that it is inside the carpal tunnel.

Through the inside of the dilators, the pistol with the cutting blade is introduced, viewing the interior area through the fibre optic camera that is incorporated, until it reaches the affected area, after which the pressure on the median nerve is relieved. Once the problem has been solved, the incision is sutured, a compressive bandage is applied and a splint is placed to immobilise.

The hospital stay is minimal, leaving the hospital after the operation which is performed on an outpatient basis. Rehabilitation may take up to 6 months in the form of weakness to grasp objects in the form of a pincer, but this is very rare. 

Full recovery usually takes place around 2 months after the surgery.