5 Signs You Might Need Carpal Tunnel Release

Most people don’t think about how much they use their wrists. Once you start to experience pain there, though, the importance of this body part becomes abundantly clear. Suddenly, simple things like holding the steering wheel or typing at a keyboard become uncomfortable.

If you’ve been dealing with persistent wrist pain, it could very likely be carpal tunnel syndrome. Sometimes, resting the area or wearing a splint alleviates the problem. In other cases, people only get relief with a procedure called carpal tunnel release.  

Our experienced surgeons at Anchor Spine and Joint offer this and other treatments. Let’s look at a few signs you should visit us at any of our offices throughout Florida — in Tampa, Riverview, Pinellas Park, Odessa, or Lutz — to see if you would benefit from carpal tunnel release. 

When to consider carpal tunnel release

Top indicators that this surgery might be right for you include the following:

#1: You have wrist pain that’s getting worse

Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause wrist pain that doesn’t go away. This can make normal daily activities, like typing or grabbing a glass of water, painful. 

For some people, carpal tunnel syndrome gets progressively worse. If your wrist pain seems to be ramping up, you should seek out treatment. 

#2: You regularly feel tingling

When you have carpal tunnel syndrome, something presses on the median nerve in your hand. That nerve provides sensation in your hand and fingers (except your pinky finger). As a result, this syndrome often comes with one of the telltale signs of a nerve problem: tingling. 

#3: You have localized numbness

Carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause another nerve issue indicator: numbness. If you notice this in your thumb, index, middle, and/or ring finger, you likely have something pressing on your median nerve. 

#4: The symptoms interfere with your daily life

For some folks, carpal tunnel syndrome is nothing more than a minor annoyance. The inflammation causing the pressure on the nerve might heal, eliminating the problem

For others, symptoms get worse with time. Eventually, they might make simple daily tasks painful and burdensome. If you fit into the latter camp, you could benefit from carpal tunnel release. 

#5: Your wrist hasn’t responded to other treatment

You should never jump straight to surgery. Our team first explores more conservative treatment options, like bracing the wrist or using medication to try to calm inflammation. 

If other treatments haven’t helped, though, it’s probably time to consider this procedure. 

What to expect with carpal tunnel release

This surgery is a relatively simple one. We first numb the area. Your surgeon makes a small incision, then precisely cuts the carpal ligament. Afterward, they close the incision and bandage the area. 

Recovery usually takes a week or two. We help you manage any discomfort as you heal. We also generally recommend physical therapy to support healthy movement in your wrist and hand. 

Within a couple of weeks, you should be back to your normal life — but without the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. 

If the signs that you might benefit from this procedure sound familiar, schedule a consultation with our team. Call the Anchor Spine and Joint office nearest you or book your appointment online by simply clicking the blue “Request an Appointment” button on our site.