Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, often resulting in symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and wrist. However, there’s good news for sufferers of CTS: Incision-free carpal tunnel surgery is changing the landscape of treatment, offering a less invasive, quicker recovery alternative to traditional surgery.
We caught up with a recent patient of ours to see how he got on following his own carpal tunnel release surgery.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Before reading his testimonial, here’s a little background information on carpal tunnel syndrome and its symptoms.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located on the palm side of the wrist. It is made up of bones and ligaments and houses the median nerve, which controls sensation in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers.
When the median nerve becomes compressed due to swelling or thickening of the surrounding tissues (often caused by repetitive motion or injury), it leads to the symptoms associated with CTS. These can range from tingling to debilitating pain and disability, affecting daily activities such as typing, driving, and even holding objects.
Traditional vs Incision-Free Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Patient after traditional carpal tunnel syndrome operationTraditional carpal tunnel surgery, also known as open release surgery, involves making a small incision in the palm or wrist. This allows the surgeon to cut the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve. While this procedure is effective, it requires recovery time and often results in scarring, swelling, and a longer healing process.
Incision-free carpal tunnel surgery is performed using ultrasound guided technology which allows the surgeon to see your anatomy. The instrument used is no thicker than a needle and is inserted into the skin by gradually cutting the transverse carpal ligament. By using ultrasound technology your surgeon can gain a clear view of everything. This ensures that during the operation the nerve and tendons are not affected. The procedure does not require real downtime and you are free to wash your hands and return to life as normal the very next day – bandage free.
Patient Testimonial
A recent carpal tunnel patient wrote in to tell us about his experience. We are delighted to report he had a significant reduction in his symptoms following the procedure:
I have suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome for a number of years in my right hand. Pain, swelling, stiffness in the morning and permanent numbness, lack of feeling and pins and needles in my thumb, index and fore finger.
I read an article that consultant surgeon Sally-Anne Phillips was pioneering keyhole surgery for this complaint and underwent an operation under local anaesthetic on 10th December. I cannot speak [highly enough] of the service I received from Miss Phillips and her team. I spent just over an hour in surgery listening to soft music and was completely relaxed under the very professional care of Miss Phillips and her excellent team.
It is quite remarkable that I read the newspaper article on the 10th of November and by afternoon on the 10th of December I was on my way home after the op. I no longer have pain and stiffness in my hand and fingers but only slight pins and needles at my thumb and finger tips which I expect will lessen over time. I no longer drop things like I used to and I can even fasten the button on my left cuff with my right hand which has always been a matter of much frustration for me.
I was able to drive immediately and apart from slight pins and needles as already mentioned, I have had full use of my hand from the day after the operation. And the scar on my wrist – well it is the size of a pinhole – no bigger than the full stop at the end of this sentence.
Struggling with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
If you have exhausted non-surgical treatments and find yourself facing the prospect of surgery, incision-free carpal tunnel surgery could be the option for you. Find out more today by submitting an enquiry. You can also book a consultation with Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic surgeon, Miss Sally-Anne Phillips.