The Hidden Facts About Carpal Tunnel Surgery
July 4th, 2009 Posted by: Tom Nicholson
Sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome are usually under the impression that surgery is the only means of finding any meaningful relief. For some of those people who spend the better part of each day stuck in front of a computer, and who deal with the numbness and pain associated with the syndrome surgery is nonetheless an unpleasant option. However, carpal tunnel syndrome does not only affect office workers, it can affect a wide array of people, from construction workers to painters.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in the wrists and hands when a person uses a repeated motion for hours at a time through out their day. And if they have bad posture or poor technique then they are likely to make the situation worse. Imagine a person slouched over their computer keyboard for hours on end, never taking a break or stretching their hands and wrists. This person is looking for trouble and they will likely find in with carpel tunnel syndrome.
There is only one way to understand carpal tunnel syndrome and that is to understand its basic physiology. The numbness and pain that is so familiar to sufferers is caused when the wrist tightens and this causes the median nerve to be compressed. For many of the sufferers carpal tunnel syndrome is not only debilitating, it is also agonizingly painful and some form of relief is urgently needed.
Although there are other alternatives available, for sufferers of the syndrome who desire to be pain free, surgery is only option they can choose. Usually the surgical procedure is performed under a milder anesthetic, called twilight anesthesia. During the procedure the surgeon cuts the transverse carpal ligament which prevents more damage to the nerves. This ligament is in the wrist and is wrapped around the other ligaments that run vertically up the arm. The idea behind this procedure is that by cutting the transverse carpal ligament it will no longer be able to tighten around the other ligaments which will then alleviate the pressure on them. The offending ligament will be joined together by scar tissue and the other ligaments will have more room.
Of course no surgery is risk free and some patients are left with much weaker wrists afterwards. Also, there is a possibility of other nerves and tendons in the area being damaged during the operation. All things considered surgery really should only be the last possible option. To make matters even worse, the patient can expect weeks of recovery after the surgery that can cost as much as ten thousand dollars.
Many therapists suggest that you make your environment more ergonomically sound. They stress the importance of having the proper posture and technique so that your wrists are not subjected to excessive strain. By taking regular breaks and stretching the hands and wrists you will lessen the pressure. Another method of helping to prevent the syndrome is to have hand and wrist massages as this helps to loosen the soft tissue in the hands. Considering that these options exist it is unfortunate that anyone would consider surgery as their first choice.
Before considering surgery, be informed about carpal tunnel syndrome and make the right choice when it comes to your health. You want to focus on healthy habits first!
