Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve — which runs from your forearm into your hand — gets compressed as it passes through a narrow passageway (the carpal tunnel) at your wrist. This compression causes numbness, tingling, pain, and eventually weakness in your thumb, index, and middle fingers.

It's one of the most common hand conditions, particularly among people who work with computers, perform repetitive wrist movements, or have conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease. If left untreated, the nerve damage can become permanent.

Symptoms to Watch For

• Numbness or tingling in your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers — especially at night
• Waking up with numb hands and needing to shake them to restore feeling
• Dropping things due to reduced grip strength or loss of sensation
• Weakness in the thumb, difficulty with buttons, or trouble grasping small objects
• Pain in the wrist or hand that may radiate up the forearm

When Is Surgery Recommended?

Dr. Yadav always starts with a thorough evaluation, including nerve conduction studies when needed. Mild cases may respond to splinting and activity modification. Surgery is recommended when:

• Symptoms persist despite 3–6 months of non-surgical treatment
• Nerve conduction studies show significant compression
• You have muscle wasting (thenar atrophy) at the base of your thumb
• Symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your work or daily life

The Procedure: Open Carpal Tunnel Release

Dr. Yadav performs carpal tunnel release using a small incision at the base of the palm. The transverse carpal ligament — the "roof" of the carpal tunnel — is divided, giving the median nerve more room. This relieves the pressure on the nerve immediately.

• Duration: 15–20 minutes
• Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia (you're awake, the hand is numb)
• Discharge: Same day — you go home within hours
• Incision: Small (2–3 cm), heals with a minimal scar

Recovery: What to Expect

• Night symptoms (tingling): Often relieved the same night after surgery
• Week 1–2: Light use of the hand, avoid heavy gripping. Stitches removed at 10–14 days.
• Week 2–6: Gradual return to normal activities. Scar may be tender initially.
• 6 weeks–3 months: Grip strength returns fully. Numbness may take longer to resolve in long-standing cases.

Most patients return to desk work within 1–2 weeks and manual work within 4–6 weeks.

Don't Let Numbness Become Permanent

If you've had tingling or numbness in your fingers for more than a few weeks, a specialist assessment can determine whether your nerve is at risk. Early treatment gives the best results.

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