Repetitive hand or wrist movements can cause patients to suffer from a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Mild cases can be treated by using braces or splints. For the more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Princeton Orthopaedic Associates can offer treatment options to alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome is named after the narrow passageway on the palm side of your hand that is surrounded by bones and ligaments. The median nerve passes through this “tunnel.” Injury, such as a fracture, or chronic diseases such as arthritis can cause inflammation that can narrow the tunnel and put pressure on the median nerve. Repetitive motion can also put pressure on the nerve. 

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and arm. Some patients report feelings like electric shocks that pass through the thumb and first two fingers. 

Treatment of minor cases may involve wearing a splint or brace to relieve pressure on the nerve. For more severe cases or those that don’t respond to other treatment methods, carpal tunnel release can relieve pressure on the median nerve. 

Carpal tunnel release is an outpatient procedure that involves making a two-inch incision in the middle of the palm. The surgeon then has a better view of the treatment area and will be able to free the nerve by cutting the ligaments squeezing it. 

We can also perform carpal tunnel release through endoscopic surgery. A small camera is used to see inside the carpal tunnel, and one or two very small incisions are made to cut the ligament and free the nerve.