As many people know, carpal tunnel syndrome can be a cause of serious pain. Although some patients respond well to treatments such as injections or splints, these conservative approaches do not work for everyone. There are, however, surgical options available to help relieve the pain of those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
People who commonly engage in repetitive activities such as typing, cleaning or construction are at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. The pain is usually intermittent at first, only occurring during certain activities or at certain times of the day. Over time, however, the pain can become constant.
The cause of pain is pressure on the median nerve in the wrist by the transverse carpal ligament. When injections and splints do not work to relieve this pressure, doctors can perform surgery to cut the ligament in front of the median nerve. This releases the pressure on the nerve and eliminates pain.
This surgery can be performed endoscopically, which reduces patient recovery time. In most cases, recovery takes about a month. After recovery, patients have the full use of their hands, but without the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome.
No matter the cause, suffering from a repetitive stress injury can greatly impact the quality of a person’s life. Fortunately, doctors have developed strategies to help those with these sorts of injuries to regain mobility and live pain free.
For more information, contact a workers’ compensation attorney, who can explain your legal options and what benefits may be available to you.
Source: KPLCtv.com, “Taking the pain out of carpal tunnel syndrome,” Britney Glaser, June 26, 2013
