Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common conditions that affect the wrist and hand. It occurs when your median nerve, which runs from your forearm into your hand, gets compressed or pinched as it passes through a narrow channel in your wrist called the carpal tunnel.
Up to 5% of Americans get carpal tunnel syndrome annually, and it causes symptoms like pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the fingers and hands. Although there are many non-surgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, including physical therapy and wrist splints, surgery might be the best solution for some patients.
Walter D. Gracia, MD, PA, is a hand surgeon in Fort Worth, Texas, specializing in carpal tunnel release surgery. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s time to find out if surgery might be the answer to relieving your pain once and for all.
The benefits of carpal tunnel surgery
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome develop when your median nerve gets compressed inside your wrist. Many factors can contribute to this nerve compression, including repetitive hand movements, injury, or underlying medical conditions.
Non-surgical treatment can be effective for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, but unfortunately, these options don’t provide long-lasting relief for everyone. Carpal tunnel release surgery could be a better solution.
Proven efficacy
Carpal tunnel surgery has been shown to be highly effective in relieving symptoms. Studies show that 70-90% of patients undergoing carpal tunnel release surgery experience significant improvement in their symptoms, with many patients reporting complete resolution of their pain, numbness, and tingling.
Fast relief
While non-surgical treatments can help alleviate carpal tunnel symptoms, they usually take several weeks or months to produce noticeable results. In contrast, surgery typically provides faster relief, with patients experiencing significant improvement in symptoms within a few days to a few weeks after the procedure.
Long-lasting results
Non-surgical treatments often must be repeated or used indefinitely to manage carpal tunnel symptoms, but surgery provides long-lasting results. Many patients report complete resolution of their symptoms for years after their procedure.
Improved quality of life
Carpal tunnel syndrome can significantly impact your quality of life. Discomfort and decreased grip strength make it difficult to perform daily activities. If that’s the case for you, surgery can relieve symptoms and enable you to return to your normal activities and hobbies with less pain.
Reduced risk of nerve damage
If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome often worsens — and severe carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage. Surgery can reduce your risk of long-term nerve damage and improve your chances of recovering fully.
Is carpal tunnel surgery right for you?
When conservative treatments don’t relieve carpal tunnel pain, it might be time to consider surgery. Dr. Gracia offers comprehensive surgery consultations to evaluate your condition, review your medical history, and determine your best course of treatment.
He specializes in endoscopic carpal tunnel release, a minimally invasive technique. He inserts a small flexible tube with a camera through a small incision to see your wrist and release your carpal tunnel ligament, making space for your median nerve.
Like any surgery, carpal tunnel surgery does come with potential risks. These may include infection, scarring, nerve damage, and, in rare cases, persistent symptoms. Before scheduling surgery, discuss these risks with Dr. Gracia and our team so you can make an informed decision.
If you have severe carpal tunnel symptoms or non-surgical treatment hasn’t worked, surgery might be the answer to relieving your pain. Call our office at (817) 336-9450 or request an online appointment. to get started.