Hand or forearm pain can occur for various reasons, including carpal tunnel syndrome. The condition causes tingling, discomfort, and intense pain that worsens without treatment.
Carpal tunnel symptoms that don't resolve with conservative treatments require surgery to relieve pain. At the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico in Roswell, New Mexico, we offer carpal tunnel release surgery to eliminate painful symptoms.
Our specialists, Dr. Omar Osmani and Dr. David Ball, treat orthopedic and foot problems. Dr. Osmani offers carpal tunnel surgery for severe symptom relief.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a prevalent condition that happens when something compresses the median nerve. The nerve runs down the upper arm, into the forearm, and through the carpal tunnel canal before ending in the hands and fingers.
Injury, inflammation, and other conditions put pressure on the nerve, causing pain, numbness, and tingling. We control these symptoms through conservative measures like bracing and anti-inflammatories. If they fail to relieve symptoms, we recommend carpal tunnel release surgery.
During carpal tunnel surgery, we make a tiny incision on your palm to access the carpal tunnel. We then cut the transverse carpal ligament at the top of the canal, where the median nerve passes through.
Releasing the ligament opens up more space in the canal, releasing pressure on the median nerve. Although the ligament may grow back together, it still provides more space for the nerve.
Carpal tunnel surgery is typically outpatient; you go home the same day. Recovery takes time, but most people feel relief within the first week.
You may not feel much discomfort immediately after a carpal tunnel release from the local anesthetic. It only lasts a few hours, so staying ahead of the pain is essential.
You'll notice a bandage over your hand in the recovery room. The local anesthetic may cause numbness around the incision. Expect slight pain or discomfort during the first 24 hours after surgery.
We want you to start wiggling your fingers to reduce inflammation and prevent stiffness. Holding your hand above your heart level also reduces swelling immediately after surgery.
Anti-inflammatory medications help with the immediate pain and inflammation from a carpal tunnel release.
After reviewing discharge instructions, you can go home with a driver after surgery. We advise you to ice the area several times daily for the first few days to alleviate pain and swelling.
Many people feel relief from numbness and nighttime symptoms within a few days after surgery, while others feel it immediately.
Recovering from carpal tunnel surgery takes several months, even if your symptoms get better initially. The incision needs to heal properly, and physical therapy is necessary to regain strength and mobility.
During the first few weeks, we restrict some activities to allow the surgical site to heal. These activities include gripping or lifting heavy objects. It's crucial to follow post-op instructions to avoid complications.
Look for signs of infection around the incision, such as redness, purulent drainage, or increased pain. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact us immediately for treatment.
With physical therapy, many people regain grip strength in about three months. Severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome may take up to a year to regain prior strength.
Numbness and tingling also improve over the first few months but could take up to a year in severe cases. However, many people notice a significant decline in symptoms within the first week or two after surgery.
If you have carpal tunnel syndrome and need treatment, call our Roswell, New Mexico office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Osmani. You may also request an appointment on our website.
