Carpal tunnel surgery

Carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel on the palm-side of the wrist. Nine flexor tendons and the median nerve pass through the carpal tunnel and they are responsible for bending your palm and fingers. Its function is motor (movement) and sensory (feeling).

Pressure on the nerve is manifested in symptoms which are a consequence of a disturbed function of the sensory component (e.g. tingling and pain). If the pressure persists, the motor component also becomes affected, where a characteristic palm muscle weakness develops.

The reasons for the compression of or pressure on the median nerve can be mixed (swelling or thickening of the synovia of muscle tendons, pathologies, endocrine disorders, repetitive movements of contraction and extension of the wrist, genetic predisposition).

Swelling, resulting from the damage in the area of the wrist and the healing of injuries, reduce the size of the tunnel and cause the pressure on the median nerve.

After the operation, the arm is positioned in the brace, which is usually removed after three days. Soon thereafter, fingers can be exercised, but only until pain is felt. Exercise get more intense after three days, according to the doctor’s instructions. Skin (visible) stitches are removed after 14 days, and subcutaneous (invisible) stitching gradually dissolves itself and does not need to be removed.

Scar can be massaged longitudinally after 14 days with oily ointment or cream for scars.

After three weeks, the arm should be ready for easier chores, for more difficult ones after about a month, and for heavy jobs after about two months.

Reduced strength in the fingers, occasional tingling and painful scarring may be present for several months and gradually disappear after one year.