The muscles of the hands or wrists are weak and actually getting smaller because of the severe pinching of the median nerve.The doctor performs an electromyography test of the median nerve and determines that you have carpal tunnel syndrome.The nonsurgical interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome don't relieve the pain.The reasons that a doctor would recommend a carpal tunnel release surgery may include: These may include over-the-counter pain medicines, physical therapy, changes to the equipment you use at work, wrist splints, or shots of steroids in the wrist to help relieve swelling and pain.

And even then, your doctor will likely want you to try nonsurgical treatments first. Why might I need carpal tunnel surgery?Ī diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is about the only reason to have a carpal tunnel surgery. This makes more room for the median nerve and tendons passing through the tunnel, and usually improves pain and function. They tend to be worse on the thumb side of the hand.ĭuring a carpal tunnel release, a surgeon cuts through the ligament that is pressing down on the carpal tunnel. Symptoms usually start slowly, and may get worse over time. This causes numbness and tingling of the hand, pain, and loss of function if not treated. When this part of the body is injured or tight, swelling of the tissues within the tunnel can press on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is formed by the wrist bones on the bottom and the transverse carpal ligament across the top (or inside) of the wrist. The median nerve and tendons that allow your fingers to move pass through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. It's also been linked to pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by injury, such as a sprain or fracture, or repetitive use of a vibrating tool. They now know that it's most likely a congenital predisposition (something that runs in families) – some people simply have smaller carpal tunnels than others. Doctors used to think that carpal tunnel syndrome was caused by an overuse injury or a repetitive motion performed by the wrist or hand, often at work. Carpal tunnel release is a surgery used to treat and potentially heal the painful condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome.