When there is a persistent loss of feeling or coordination in the fingers when sleep is severely disturbed by pain, then the patient has to undergo surgery.
The most common surgery for relieving carpal tunnel symptoms involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.
Open Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery is done on some patients and it allows the doctor to see more of the inner tissues, including the full width of the transverse carpal ligament where it is to be cut. This requires an incision in the palm and wrist, which disturbs more of the tissues in the hand, requires a longer recovery period, and leaves a large scar.
There is also an option of Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery, which requires a small incision at the wrist (single-portal technique) or at the wrist and palm (two-portal technique), and thus disturbs less tissue in the hand. Endoscopic surgery has a faster recovery period, faster rehabilitation period and the scars are smaller and less painful. But there has been a slightly higher rate of re operation after Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery.
How you will feel?
Typically, 80-90% of patients will have permanent relief of their symptoms following division of the wrist ligament (transverse carpal ligament) which covers the carpal tunnel. Release of scar around the median nerve and partial removal of the tendon bursae (sheath) is added in selected cases.
Outpatient surgery, local anesthesia, and an incision limited to the proximal palm comprise the normal surgical approach today. Following surgery, while some patients may get immediate relief of the nerve compression symptoms, complete cure usually takes up to three months. Unfortunately, it is possible for the nerve to suffer permanent damage as the carpal tunnel syndrome develops. If this happens, then the likelihood of persistent symptoms, even after surgery, is greater.