When Is Surgery the Best Solution for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common wrist and hand condition characterized by compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel – a narrow passageway in your wrist. 

This compression can result in symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in your hand and fingers. Repetitive hand movements or prolonged flexion of the wrist often aggravate symptoms. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects about 10 million people in the United States, but it’s often misunderstood. Many people think that if they have hand or wrist pain, it’s carpal tunnel syndrome — but this is just not the case. 

At Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine in Birmingham, Alabama, we can accurately diagnose your pain, determine if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, and provide appropriate treatment.

While many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can be managed without surgery, there are instances where surgery becomes the best solution. Here, we explain when surgery might be needed to restore comfort and function to your hand and wrist.

Nonsurgical treatment options

If you have mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, we usually first recommend nonsurgical interventions. These may include:

Wrist splinting

Wearing a splint at night helps keep your wrist in a neutral position to alleviate pressure on the median nerve and reduce symptoms.

Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs may help ease pain and discomfort associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Physical therapy

Specific exercises and stretches can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and relieve pressure on the median nerve.

Ergonomic adjustments

If a job station or activity aggravates carpal tunnel, we may recommend changing your positioning to discourage irritation of the wrist. 

Corticosteroid injections

Injecting corticosteroids into the carpal tunnel can help reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief from symptoms.

When surgery is recommended

If your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms persist or worsen over time, even with noninvasive therapies, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery becomes the optimal solution when your symptoms are severe or debilitating. 

Consider surgery if your carpal tunnel syndrome significantly impacts your daily activities, work performance, or quality of life. 

We may also recommend surgery if we determine that nerve damage is present. Prolonged compression of the median nerve can lead to irreversible nerve damage, causing weakness, muscle atrophy, or loss of sensation in the hand. Surgery may be necessary to prevent further deterioration and restore function.

About surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome

The primary surgical treatment is known as carpal tunnel release. During this procedure, our surgeons make an incision in your palm or wrist and cut the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. This effectively reduces pressure on the median nerve. 

Carpal tunnel release surgery is usually done endoscopically, which means small incisions and a faster recovery. Open surgery is also an option. Which type you need depends on factors such as the severity of symptoms and your preferences.

When you have signs that indicate surgery is the best solution for carpal tunnel syndrome, contact Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine. We can evaluate your wrist and hand pain to determine what treatment you need. Call or use our online request tool to book an appointment today.