Carpal tunnel surgery is a procedure in which the ligaments in the wrist are severed in order to release the median nerve from compression. There are risks associated with this surgery, including weakness and damage to the median nerve. Benefits of this surgery include relief from symptoms and regained productivity.
Strength
The carpal tunnel is a narrow pathway that contains the median nerve and the tendons that control the hand. When the carpal ligament is severed during carpal tunnel surgery, also called open release surgery, it affects the tendons as well as the median nerve. Carpal tunnel surgery can cause an individual to have problems closing the affected hand completely, which results in a weaker grip, even after the carpal ligament has healed.
Nerve Damage
The close proximity of the median nerve to the carpal ligament can result in damage to this nerve during the surgery. The median nerve controls the palm of the hand, and the inner portion of the fingers, excluding the little finger. Damage to the median nerve can result in an inability to move, or extend the fingers. An unsuccessful carpal tunnel surgery can leave an individual with a hand that has little or no range of motion or finger strength.
Symptom Relief
Carpal tunnel surgery can have a positive effect on the symptoms of individuals suffering from the pain and numbness associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Some individuals experience immediate relief after the surgery, while others gradually experience a return in sensation and lessening of pain during the healing and rehabilitation process.
Productivity
Pain, numbness and the potential for permanent nerve damage often prevent individuals with severe carpal tunnel syndrome from achieving normal levels of productivity. Carpal tunnel surgery, when successful, allows those afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome to return to their previous levels of productivity by eliminating the pain and numbness. In addition, releasing the compression of the median nerve prevents the nerve damage from becoming irreversible.
Conclusion
Carpal tunnel release surgery has the potential to be either extremely beneficial, or extremely harmful. In most cases, however, the results are somewhere in the middle. Most individuals who go through carpal tunnel surgery, who comply with all rehabilitation exercises and follow all doctor's instructions, will benefit from the surgery to some degree, at least temporarily. For many, even temporary relief from the pain and numbness associated with carpal tunnel syndrome is beneficial.
