Carpal Tunnel Release
This webpage will give you information about carpal tunnel
release. If you have any question, you should ask your GP or other
relevant health professional.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where there is increased
pressure on the nerve that crosses the front of the wrist (the
median nerve). The median nerve runs through a tight tunnel,
together with the tendons that bend the fingers.
What are the benefits of surgery?
The main benefit of surgery is to relieve pain and numbness in
the hand.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
If your symptoms are mild, a wrist support worn at night often
helps.
A steroid injection near the carpal tunnel can reduce the
numbness or pain in most people.
What does the operation involve?
A carpal tunnel release can usually be performed under local
anaesthetic and usually takes about a quarter of an hour.
Your surgeon will make a small cut in the palm of your hand.
They will then cut the tight ligament (called the flexor
retinaculum) that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel (see figure
1).
Figure 1 - Median nerve running under the flexor
retinaculum.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical site (wound)
- Scarring
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Continued numbness in your thumb, index and middle fingers
- Tenderness of the scar
- Aching in the wrist
- Return of numbness and pain
- Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of the hand (Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome)
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day. You should keep your
hand raised and bandaged for the first couple of days. It is
important to gently exercise your fingers, elbow and shoulder to
prevent stiffness.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities
as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a
member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
Your symptoms may continue to improve for up to six months, or
even longer if the carpal tunnel syndrome was related to work.
Summary
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness in your thumb, index and
middle fingers. A carpal tunnel release should improve your
symptoms and prevent permanent nerve damage.
Acknowledgements
Author: Prof Tim Davis ChM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.) and Mr Stephen
Milner DM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2011 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is produced
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The information should not replace advice that your relevant
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