Fields of treatment / Orthopedy / Carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of compression neuropathy, a condition in the hand, affecting the nerves in the upper extremity. It is caused by the pressure on the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel. The pressure is caused by either an injury, or by putting too much stress on your wrist. Typically, this happens when you use your PC mouse over and over again in an incorrect position. The condition mostly affects middle-aged women.
New endoscopic method of carpal tunnel treatment - Arthrex Centerline
Arthrex's Centerline™ endoscopic carpal tunnel release method offers several key advantages over standard open surgery:
- Faster return to normal activities: Clinical studies show that patients can return to normal activities up to 50% sooner after endoscopic surgery than after open surgery.
- Increased safety: the Centerline™ system allows the surgeon to keep the hand in line with the blade, providing better spatial orientation and reducing the risk of median nerve damage.
- Simplified Instrumentation: Straightforward instruments and a disposable blade mechanism that includes all moving parts can reduce operating time and the likelihood of mechanical failures and maintenance issues.
- Easy to operate: the one-handed pull blade mechanism allows for quick and controlled release.
- Less post-operative pain and fewer scar complications: the endoscopic method is associated with less pain in the early post-operative period, faster return to work and fewer complications such as scar tenderness or hypertrophic scars.
These advantages make endoscopic carpal tunnel release using the Centerline system an attractive alternative to traditional open surgery for many patients.
Symptoms and treatment
Symptoms include tingling, numbness, pain and loss of feeling in the fingers, usually at night or when resting.
Conservative treatment is usually the first option at early stages of the condition. It may involve changes to your lifestyle, physical therapy, kinesiology taping, application of non-steroid antirheumatic drugs or local steroid injections directly into the carpal tunnel. When conservative management does not yield positive results, surgical procedure might be performed, which eases the pressure on your median nerve. The procedure is done as an open surgery or arthroscopically, and it is performed as at outpatient procedure each time.
