The median nerve in the wrist is surrounded by bones, tendons and ligaments which form the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by compression of this nerve and occurs when it becomes inflamed, especially after being provoked by recurring movements such as playing the piano or typing on a computer keyboard. Common symptoms are: hand and wrist pain, thumb and finger numbness, a burning feeling in the index and middle fingers or an electric-like shock from the wrist to the hand.

Procedure information
The majority of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome can be efficiently treated with non-surgical approaches such as wrist splinting, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. When the numbness or pain continues to exist however, surgery is an option.

If surgery is required, the doctor incises the ligament that is compressing the nerve. This can be performed by means of an endoscope which enables the surgeon to look inside the carpal tunnel and carry out the small cuts, while other cases involve the making of an incision in the palm of hand and thus releasing the nerve.

Recovery time
In general, surgery results in a distinctive improvement; approximately 70 percent of people having undertaken carpal tunnel release are content with the outcome. Exposure to recurrent activities after surgery, excluding keyboard usage, can mean less favorable results.

Some residual pain, numbness, weakness or stiffness will improve within a couple of days; however, it might take from a few weeks up to several months before the patient experiences unhindered use of the wrist and hand. Make sure to discuss the procedure with your doctor as well as the rehabilitation period before resuming previous activities which may put the wrist under strain.