Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is too much pressure on the median nerve, which supplies sensation to your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of your ring finger. In many cases, exercise and stretching can prevent pain and discomfort, but if those methods fail to relieve symptoms another option is endoscopic surgery. During this procedure a small incision is made in your wrist just below the crease where the palm starts, which allows the surgeon to place a small fiberoptic television camera called an endoscope into the carpal tunnel. Once inside the carpal tunnel, the surgeon cuts the transverse carpal ligament, and the median nerve is no longer compressed and begins to return to normal. Many physicians using the endoscopic procedure feel that patients heal faster, are able to use their hand faster, and have fewer problems associated with tenderness in the incision area. Although the procedure has worked for many patients, some physicians aren't convinced that the procedure is better than the open incision technique because it's more technically demanding and more expensive in most hospitals.