Carpal Tunnel Surgery in Westchester County, NY

What is Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery?

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery is a procedure that reduces the pressure placed on your median nerve, caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Pressure on the median nerve results in pain and immobility, limiting your ability to do simple tasks like holding a small object. The experienced orthopedic physicians with Specialty Orthopaedics perform endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery using advanced, minimally invasive approaches that are backed by the most current clinical research.


When is Carpal Tunnel Surgery Needed?

Carpal tunnel release surgery might be recommended to you if you experience any of these common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and have not had success with conservative treatment options:

  • Pain in the hand or fingers
    • Burning
    • Tingling
    • Numbness
    • Shooting pains
  • Nighttime waking due to hand pain or cramping
  • Difficulty moving fingers
  • Feeling of swelling in the hand (even if there is no visible swelling)
  • Weakened grip
  • Trouble holding or picking up small objects

What Are the Advantages of Having Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

The benefits of visiting our orthopedic practice in New York for carpal tunnel release surgery include:

  • Hand pain relief
  • Restored hand & wrist function and range of motion
  • Ability to return to your normal activities
  • Experienced and caring wrist orthopedic surgeons
  • Endoscopic carpal tunnel release allows for a faster recovery and return to work than more traditional carpal tunnel surgeries
  • Surgery performed at some of the best orthopedic hospitals in the country

Will Surgery Cure My Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Surgery releases the pressure on the nerve that travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This release, in many cases, eradicates stiffness and pain. If your symptoms have gone on for a prolonged period of time or are more severe, it's possible that surgery may improve them but not fully eliminate them. When carpal tunnel syndrome is severe, the objective of surgery is to halt the ongoing damage to the nerve. The weakness, numbness, or other symptoms that you have at the time of surgery may remain but not worsen. During your consultation for carpal tunnel surgery, your doctor will discuss their anticipated outcome.

Can Carpal Tunnel Return After Surgery?

Usually, one procedure is all that is needed to achieve permanent results. After surgery, you can support your results by avoiding the environmental and functional factors that led to nerve compression in the first place. For example, your doctor will advise you to avoid putting too much stress on your wrists long after you've recovered from surgery. 

When Can I Expect Full Recovery from Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

Every person may experience a slightly different recovery from carpal tunnel surgery. Through the process, you and your doctor may look forward to certain milestones. These include:

  • Two days after your procedure, you'll return to the office to have bandages removed and you'll begin doing more motion activities. The stitches will be removed one week later.
  • Most patients do not need physical therapy. 
  • Beginning one to two weeks after surgery, you may start using your hand more. You may still have some soreness and pain in the palm of your hand. 
  • About one month after surgery, you may have full mobility of all of your fingers and thumb on the affected hand. 
  • Soreness and sensitivity in the palm may continue for up to eight weeks. However, by two months post-op, you can expect to have much of your normal function and hand strength back. 
  • Keep in mind that it can take a full year to fully recover from carpal tunnel surgery.

Can I Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of pressure on the median nerve that travels through a narrow tunnel in the wrist on its way to the hand. The most common reason that the median nerve gets compressed is that inflammation in the wrist has narrowed the carpal tunnel even more than its already limited space. The most common reason for this inflammation is repetitive movement. If you type a lot and do not have proper posture or equipment, you may develop carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition can also occur as an effect of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or hypothyroidism. When discussing prevention, it is important to consider the contributing factors that you can control and those that you cannot. 

One of the best ways to prevent carpal tunnel, or inhibit the worsening of the condition, is to minimize repetitive hand movements. Doing so can reduce the stress on the hands and wrists. As much as possible, keep your wrists in a neutral position. You may also make adjustments to your desk, computer, or chair so your wrists are not in an unhealthy position while you work. If you begin to experience stiffness or pain in your wrists, schedule a consultation with your doctor or a wrist specialist. We'd be happy to schedule a visit for you at Specialty Orthopaedics in Harrison, NY.


Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery Procedure Process

You can expect the following steps on the day of your carpal tunnel release surgery:

  • A small incision is made just above your wrist near the median nerve.
  • Your surgeon locates the median nerve in your wrist and protects it throughout the entire procedure.
  • The narrow passageway known as the carpal tunnel, through which the nerve and tendons pass, is expanded by cutting through the roof of the tunnel.
  • The incision is closed using two stitches, skin glue and the hand is wrapped with a soft cotton bandage.

What is Recovery Like After My Carpal Tunnel Procedure?

After your procedure, your doctor will follow up with you about how to care for your wrist in the weeks and months ahead. Often times, no therapy is needed after this minimally invasive endoscopic approach.


Schedule a Consultation

If you are interested in carpal tunnel surgery, visit Specialty Orthopaedics. Our New York orthopedic practice is home to a team of fellowship-trained orthopedists in a variety of specialty areas. We offer comprehensive treatment for musculoskeletal disorders in a caring and responsive clinical atmosphere. Give us a call at 914.686.0111 or fill out the form on this page to schedule your appointment today.

Dr. Valdet Nikci

Hand & Upper Extremity Specialist

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