What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where the median nerve is compressed across wrist joint causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand.
What are the most common symptoms of CTS?
Pain a pins-and-needles (tingling) in hand, decreased sensations, and weakness in the hand that often worsens at night.
What are risk factors for CTS?
CTS affects females more than males. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, computer or vibrating tools usage are risk factors.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is essentially clinical but EMG NCV and ultrasonography of hand are helpful.
What is the treatment of CTS?
Minimal invasive carpal tunnel release surgery is gold standard treatment. It helps relieve pressure on the median nerve and alleviates the symptoms effectively.
What does carpal tunnel surgery involve?
The surgery involves cutting the ligament pressing on the nerve to create more space and reduce symptoms. It is performed through a miniature cut usually less than 2 cm in length.
How long is the recovery after carpal tunnel surgery?
Most of the patients experience gradual improvement in symptoms and can resume normal activities within a few weeks. Full recovery may take few months at times.
Are there risks associated with carpal tunnel surgery?
Like any surgery, there are risks, including infection, nerve damage, or scarring, but complications are rare, especially when done by a skilled surgeon.
Can CTS recur after surgery?
Not very common but regular hand exercises can help prevent recurrence.
Can CTS be managed without surgery?
When the symptoms are mild CTS can be managed conservatively. It includes physiotherapy, changing working environment, splintage, NSAIDs, local steroid injections. Usually symptoms recur after conservative management and they require surgery if the symptoms worsen.