Blog Post

If you’re living with carpal tunnel syndrome, there might come a time when your current treatments just aren’t working well and you’re looking for a permanent solution. You’re wise to learn about your options now. Knowing when it’s time to consider surgery can help you find relief and protect your long-term hand function.

At Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, with offices in  San Antonio, Schertz, and Live Oak, Texas, we specialize in diagnosing and treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Our goal is to alleviate intrusive symptoms and help you regain full use of your hands. Sometimes, we can help you do so through noninvasive methods, but in other cases you could need surgery. 

In this month’s blog, we’re delving into carpal tunnel syndrome, including its underlying causes, to break down the facts about when and why you might need surgery. 

The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed within your wrist. This nerve provides sensation to your wrist and part of the hand, so those sensations get disrupted when it’s under pressure. 

The root cause of median nerve compression is sometimes hard to pinpoint. One common cause is repetitive hand motions. People who use their hands and wrists frequently in their professions — for example, assembly line workers — have a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Holding your wrists and hands in the same position for prolonged periods can also increase your risk. For instance, people who type on a computer all day without using ergonomic support for their wrists may regularly put excessive pressure on the median nerve. 

Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes significant inflammation, can irritate the tissues around the median nerve, leading to swelling, pressure, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Less commonly, injuries in the wrist area, such as fractures or sprains, can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Knowing the root cause of your carpal tunnel syndrome plays a role in deciding the right treatment path for you. 

When to consider carpal tunnel surgery

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage, which is why early intervention is so important.

In cases where the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is controllable, making lifestyle changes or altering your work environment could be enough to ease your symptoms. In other situations, treating an injury that caused carpal tunnel could lead to long-term relief.

However, what if your case isn’t that simple? That’s when you might need to think about surgery. Alongside lifestyle changes, our initial approach for carpal tunnel generally includes conservative measures like wrist bracing and physical therapy. These approaches are geared toward easing pressure on the median nerve.

However, when your symptoms are severe and persistent, surgery could be the best option. We may consider surgery when:

• Symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness, last longer than six months
• You’ve had limited success with conservative treatments
• You’re experiencing severe weakness leading to muscle loss

We usually employ a minimally invasive technique for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, in which your surgeon essentially divides the transverse carpal ligament covering the carpal tunnel. This creates more space for the median nerve and relieves the pressure at the root of your symptoms.  

Get expert carpal tunnel syndrome treatment 

If your symptoms are making every wrist movement miserable, it’s time to look for a better solution for carpal tunnel syndrome. At Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, our experts are happy to guide you toward the best solution so you can do the things you love again, free from pain.

To schedule your consultation, call the office nearest you or book online through this website today.