Are you experiencing any pain, tingling or numbness in your hand? Here are the signs & symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and possible treatments at our Kelowna hospital.
Your hands are vital. With them you perform many activities from driving, eating and writing, to playing music and dressing. At our Kelowna private hospital, our board-certified plastic surgeons can handle many types of injuries, defects or chronic conditions of your hand/wrist, including:
- Carpal tunnel release
- Wrist fracture
- Hand fracture
- Finger fracture
- Dupuytren’s contracture
Whatever your needs, our team has the expertise, knowledge and education to reduce your pain, return function to your hands, and significantly improve the quality of your life.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the hand and arm. It occurs when one of the major nerves in the hand (the median nerve) is compressed as it travels through the wrist.
Some of the symptoms include:
- An ache or pain in your fingers, hand or arm
- Numb hands
- Tingling or pins and needles
- A weak thumb or difficulty gripping objects
In most patients, carpal tunnel syndrome gets progressively worse, so early diagnosis and treatment are important.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are caused by a combination of factors. Some of the risk factors of developing this condition include:
- Heredity
- Repetitive hand use
- Extreme flexion or extension of the hand/wrist over a prolonged period of time
- Pregnancy
- Health conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid gland imbalance
Carpal Tunnel Release at Our Kelowna Private Hospital
Carpal Tunnel Release is a safe and effective hand/wrist surgery that is used to treat the pain and discomfort associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
What happens during a carpal tunnel release procedure?
During this treatment, your plastic surgeon will cut through the ligament that is pressing down on the carpal tunnel. This makes more room for the median nerve passing through and usually improves pain and aids in restoring the function of the hand.
Why would a doctor recommended a carpal tunnel release?
- The non-surgical interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome don’t relieve the pain
- The muscles of the hands and wrists are weak
- The muscles are getting smaller because of severe pinching of the median nerve
- The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome have lasted for 6 months or longer with no relief
What are the Risks of Carpal Tunnel Release?
While a carpal tunnel release is a safe and effective procedure, when performed by a certified plastic surgeon, all surgeries have their risks. For this hand and wrist surgery, some of those risks include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to the median nerve, or nerves that branch out of it
- Injuries to nearby blood vessels
- A sensitive scar
Before undergoing any plastic surgery procedure, it is crucial that you understand all the risks and benefits in order to determine whether it is the right treatment for you.
Want to know more about a carpal tunnel release procedure?
Recovering From a Carpal Tunnel Release
The recovery time for carpal tunnel surgery varies and can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. Typically, if the nerve has been compressed for a long time, the recovery is a little longer.
Here are some of the things you can expect from a carpal tunnel release recovery:
- Your hand will be in a heavy bandage or splint for 1-2 weeks
- You will have some pain and swelling in your hand/wrist after the surgery
- Once the bandages are removed, you will need physical therapy to improve the movement of your hand and wrist.
- You should take some time off work to rest and heal as this will ensure safe and effective results
- You should avoid any strenuous activity, as recommended by your plastic surgeon
Call Today
To find out more about our wide range of hand and wrist surgeries at our Kelowna hospital, including the costs and benefits of a carpal tunnel release, contact us at 250-868-9799 or fill in our online contact form.
