Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Carpal tunnel release surgery in Toronto is a procedure that is used to relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It works by surgically releasing the carpal tunnel. This syndrome is characterized by the irritation of the median nerve which runs from the forearm to the hand. The median nerve can become squeezed at the wrist by swollen tendons that, with the median nerve, are housed in the carpal tunnel, a passageway for bones and connective tissue. The swelling causes the carpal tunnel to narrow and pinch the median nerve, and the pressure placed on the nerve can result in numbness, pain or weakness of the hand and wrist.

To find out more about carpal tunnel release surgery, request a complimentary consultation online or call (888) 546-8179. 

Choosing to Get Carpal Tunnel Release: Who's a Good Candidate?

Individuals who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome may be good candidates for surgery. Common symptoms include swollen fingers and numbness, tingling, aching or burning that begins in the hand and radiates up the arm to the shoulder.

Carpal tunnel is most often seen in individuals with the following characteristics:

• Repetitive wrist movements
• Obesity, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
• Advancing age

Your Carpal Tunnel Release

There are two common surgical approaches used in Toronto for carpal tunnel release surgery. In open carpal tunnel release surgery, an incision is made in the palm of the hand to expose the underlying structures. With endoscopic surgery, a smaller incision is made in the palm or wrist into which endoscopic instruments are inserted. Studies show that there is no significant long term difference between the two approaches. Therefore we currently only offer the open carpal tunnel release surgery.

In both techniques, it is necessary to gain entrance to the carpal tunnel. The transverse carpal ligament (TCL) is then cut to relieve compression on the median nerve. Your surgeon will take extreme caution to avoid cutting additional anatomical structures or damaging surrounding nerves. If there is swollen tissue, or if you have arthritis, your surgeon may remove some of the tissue surrounding the nerve to further release pressure.

The entire procedure generally takes no more than one hour.

Results and Aftercare for Carpal Tunnel Release

You will need to arrange to have someone drive you home following reconstructive surgery in Toronto, as well as to help you around the house for the first few days. A postoperative splint will be applied to keep the wrist in a neutral position.

In order to regain strength and flexibility, it is critical that you follow your medical team's instructions on how to stretch and strengthen your hand, fingers and wrist. Recovery is expected to take about six to eight weeks.