Hand carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, Carpalis tunnel release surgery

Tunnel syndrome surgery, or carpal tunnel release surgery, is an intervention used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, during which the palm ligament that forms the cover of the “tunnel” is cut through, releasing the nervus medianus from the pressure of the swollen nerves.

We talk about tunnel syndrome when, for some reason, a narrowing develops next to the descending nerve, which puts pressure on it. Narrowing can also be caused by injury, fracture, inflammation, bone growth, haematoma, tumour, bone or joint developmental disorder.

Swelling of the tendons surrounding the nerve can be caused by several reasons. Some diseases have a much higher risk of developing tunnel syndrome: for example, they may be associated with changes in hormonal balance (hormone-related illnesses, during pregnancy, and with aging) and autoimmune (e.g. diabetes) or other systemic rheumatological diseases.

Most often, a strong, long-term strain can also be the cause of the disease.

It typically affects pregnant and menopausal women, men who are climaxing, and older rheumatic patients.

One of the most common tunnel syndromes is carpal tunnel syndrome at the base of the palm.

The tendons between the bones of the wrist (carpus), which run in a narrow, tunnel-like hole, swell due to overload or some other reason, squeezing the nerve called the median nerve below them. The nerve medianus, the nerve leading from the cervical spine to the wrist through the shoulder and elbow, which provides innervation for the flexor muscles of the forearm and several hand muscles.

As a result, numbness occurs in the areas covered by this nerve, in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, at first only intermittently, during the day and then at night, and finally this numbness becomes permanent. Increasingly sharp pain, sensory disturbances, tactile numbness occur, and are accompanied by the weakening of the fingers and palms.

The wrist is usually swollen, pressure sensitive, and the pain increases as you move it, especially when you bend it back, often radiating to the forearm and shoulders and neck.

In the advanced state of the disease, due to the pressure on the nerve, the muscles of the palm begin to atrophy, and their grip strength weakens.

It usually develops in the more used, dominant hand.

The diagnosis of tunnel syndrome is usually made by an orthopaedic specialist. If there is a suspicion of carpal tunnel syndrome with knowledge of the complaints and medical history, the specialist will perform a specific physical examination to support the diagnosis. If bending the wrist in 90° for a minute or two causes complaints, and when hitting the carpal tunnel, there is an electrifying sensation along the course of the nerve.

Since tunnel syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, have similar symptoms as other lesions (e.g. disc herniation, circulatory system diseases), in addition to a physical examination, a special examination, the so-called ENG (electroneurographic) examination is also required. This test measures how fast the peripheral nerves carry the stimulus. The ability of the compressed nerve to conduct stimuli is significantly reduced.

To establish the diagnosis, a neural ultrasound examination may be necessary, as well as an X-ray examination is recommended, which shows the possible bone structure abnormalities and fractures that can lie behind the symptoms.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is first treated in a conservative (non-surgical) way. Relieving the hand, stretching the wrist in an extended position at night can reduce swelling within the canal, leaving more space for the nerve. In more severe cases, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in addition, or drugs administered into the carpal tunnel, may also reduce intra-canal swelling.

Surgical treatment of the syndrome by a hand surgeon is also available. Surgery provides the fastest and most effective treatment.

If conservative treatment is not successful or there is a more than moderate decrease in nerve conduction velocity, a surgical solution is recommended.

As with any medical intervention, the release of the carpal tunnel can have dangers and complications. Very rarely, inflammation and infection of the surgical site, as well as damage to the surrounding anatomical formulas: tendons, muscles, blood vessels, and the median nerve itself, can occur. In such cases, medication may be required in milder cases and repeated surgery in more severe cases.

Sterile, surgical dressings should be replaced the next day. If the dressing is not damaged, no further bandage is required until suture collection without complications. Sutures are removed 10 days after surgery. Gentle exercise for the hands, wrists and fingers is recommended from day 2.

After surgery, scarring around the skin incision may persist for a few weeks, possibly months. Numbness and pain can go away at different rates in the few days after surgery, but it can take months for the handgrip strength to return and the hand to return to its original activity, which can be made faster with a personalized physiotherapy.