Carpal Tunnel Repair

Alternate Names : CTR, Carpal Tunnel Release

Carpal tunnel repair is a surgical procedure that helps to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve in the wrist is compressed and often is irritated. This causes numbness and pain in the fingers and hand. Carpal tunnel repair relieves the compression of the median nerve.

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

Carpal tunnel repair is done when other treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome have failed to relieve symptoms. Other treatments include rest, splinting, and physical therapy. If a person has symptoms for more than 4 months, surgery is often considered.

How is the procedure performed?

Carpal tunnel release is usually done in a same-day surgery setting. A local anesthetic is used to numb an area on the palm of the hand. A 2-inch incision is made to free the carpal tunnel ligament from the median nerve. This relieves the pressure on the median nerve.

An endoscopic release is a less-invasive form of surgery. This procedure uses an endoscope, a small fiber-optic camera. The surgeon uses it to look into the carpal tunnel through a small incision in the wrist. A small tube, or cannula, is placed alongside the median nerve. Through this cannula, a special knife is inserted to free the carpal tunnel ligament from the median nerve.