Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There is a space in the center of the wrist called the carpal tunnel where the median nerve and several tendons pass through the forearm to the hand. People who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome have enough swelling in their carpal tunnel to compress the median nerve and inhibit movement to the fingers and thumb. They experience numbness or electric shock-like feelings in their fingers up to their arm.

There are many different causes of carpal tunnel syndrome including diabetes, thyroid problems, arthritis, or just bad genes. People who do repetitive hand motion activities also tend to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.

How is carpal tunnel treated?

Before beginning treatment, our Ogden Clinic Hand and Upper Extremity experts will diagnose the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome. Non-surgical treatment, such as anti-inflammatory medication or joint injections, can be used for cases caught early.

Advances in carpal tunnel surgery: Less pain, less scarring

If carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are severe, surgery is the best option. Surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is nothing new, but endoscopic surgery is. Performed on an outpatient basis, our orthopedic experts perform surgery with a minimally invasive device called an endoscope. The endoscope is inserted through a small incision in the wrist and includes a built-in camera so the surgeon can operate. The surgeon uses tiny instruments to release pressure on the median nerve.

Endoscopic surgery doesn’t require the palm to be opened like traditional surgery does. This leading-edge method gives Ogden patients less post-operative pain, minimal scarring, and faster recovery.